Going Home to the Spiritland

TIME HAS COME TODAY"--Coco Robicheaux

Jerry Moran-New Orleanian Fine Photography

Local Legend and Louisiana Hall of Fame recipient, Coco Robicheaux passed away last night around 6 p.m., November 25, 2011, while talking to friends at his beloved Apple Barrel Bar on Frenchmen Street. Close sources confirmed that Robicheaux collapsed after talking about great times spent with his granddaughter during the Holiday while laughing & smiling and that it was a quick affair. He was rushed by ambulance to Tulane Medical Center but could not be revived while en route.

Facebook went into overload with comments from friends and fans who were shocked and saddened by the loss of this mystical New Orleans figure. His life has touched many and he will be truly missed by all who knew him. Born Curtis Arceneaux he died at age 64 and leaves behind a long list of songs which he often performed at the Apple Barrel during his Saturday night residency at the bar. He was a constant on Frenchmen Street and everyone who knew him was in one way or another mesmerized. He was an entrancing character and one that made you believe in the magic of New Orleans.

A few interested tidbits about Coco Robicheaux are that he was also an artist and sculpted the very well known "FessHead" sculpture (Professor Longhair) at the main entrance of Tipitina's Uptown on Napoleon Ave. I know many visitors have rubbed that FessHead as well as taken pictures with it. As stated on the Tipitina's website:

"Since his (Professor Longhair) passing a beautiful brass bust of Fess was constructed, by local musician and artisan Coco Robicheaux, located near the front door where patrons enter and admire Fess to this day". Simply put, it's the stuff made legends are made of.

New Orleans is full of lovable characters who are celebrated & revered where in other places they might be shunned or ridiculed. Many folks across the world were introduced to Coco through the HBO hit show "Treme" 1 season, 2nd episode where he is interviewed by Davis Mcalary and sings his hit song "Walking with the Spirit".

Robicheaux is also mentioned repeatedly in Dr. John's classic 1967 recording of "I Walk with Guilded Splinters".
In an introduction to music historian Ned Sublette's 2008 interview with Coco he states the following:

"There’s a spot on “I Walk on Guilded Splinters,” the track that put Dr. John on the map in 1967, where you can hear the young Dr. John call out very clearly, chanting in rhythm: Co-co Ro-bi-cheaux. I used to wonder if that “Coco Robicheaux” had been some legendary figure of New Orleans voodoo, like the original Dr. John, the Senegalese charm-maker described by Lafcadio Hearn from whom Mac Rebennack took his stage name. But no, that shouted-out Coco Robicheaux—born Curtis Arceneaux—was the same guy you can hear on Saturdays at the Apple Barrel. When Rebennack cut “Guilded Splinters,” Coco was 20, and already someone to conjure"

Jerry Moran-New Orleanian Fine Photography

Maybe it's the superstitious side of my New Orleans upbringing which leads me to believe the Spirit of Coco Robicheaux will live on at the bar at Apple Barrel reveling and enjoying the company of those he loved so. This city likes to hold onto it's legends and as far as legends go, Robicheaux was in a class of his own. I look forward to feeling his presence up & down Frenchmen St. The Celebration of his life which will surely be of historic proportions reminds me of the Kermit Ruffins song "When I Die -You Better Second Line"

"When I die, you better second line.
When I die, you better monkey shine.
You better put my coffin on top of the bar,
Put the jukebox on “a closer walk”,
When I die, you better second line."-KERMIT RUFFINS

Donna's on Rampart Mardi Gras Line up

"Way down yonder in New Orleans/In the land of dreamy scenes/There's a garden of Eden/You know what I mean.”----Louis Armstrong

"Mardi Gras is the love of life. It is the harmonic convergence of our food, our music, our creativity, our eccentricity, our neighborhoods, and our joy of living. All at once"--Chris Rose

A true New Orleans Staple in the world famous Treme neighborhood the birthplace of Louis Armstrong, Donna's on Rampart located at 800 Rampart Street directly across from the Louis Armstrong park Sign has reopened and open for business. Formerly known as Donna's Bar & Grill, the venue closed its doors last summer with a sign on their door which simply stated "GONE FISHING". Being a New Orleans music institution, it was a matter of time before Donna's reopened and we are glad to have it back. Many New Orleanians can recount joyous times shared at Donna's while listening to New Orleans Brass Bands, Jazz and Funk just to name a few. I have personally heard from various folks how happy they are that the venue has reopened. Holding true to what it was once was, Donna's on Rampart has been hosting a variety of New Orleans sounds such as the Royal Players Brass Band, Joe Krown Trio featuring Walter Wolfman & Russell Batiste, Bo Dollis Jr. and the Wild Magnolia's as well as new up and coming musicians such as Rex Gregory (jazz) and Mario Abney (Jazz/Funk). The venue also has food nightly for those ravenous dancers and musicians alike provided by VJ's Cafe at Congo Square serving up delicious meals such as Red Beans & Rice, George Porter Jr's Fried Chicken (arguably the best chicken in town) and Jambalaya & Potatoe Salad.

This weekend leading up to one of the biggest weekends in our city, Donna's on Rampart is boasting an impressive line up full of talented musicians. Every night offers a different feel so if you are into Brass Band, Funk, Jazz or just simply good music Donna's on Rampart is your late night destination after all the parades have rolled into the convention center. Take a stroll through the French Quarter and down Rampart street to 800 Rampart (corner of St. Anne) for some stellar music, great food and friendly bartenders.

The Mardi Gras 2011 music line up beginning today (March 3, 2011) is as follows:

March 3, 2011 at 10 p.m.-Royal Players Brass Band
March 4, 2011 at 10 p.m.-Soul Project (Funk/New Orleans Blues)
March 5, 2011 at 10 p.m.-Illumnasti Trio with James Singleton, Mike Dillon followed by the Dead Kenny G's with Mike Dillon, Skerik and Brad Houser
March 6, 2011 at 8 p.m.--Bob French & the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band
March 7, 2011 at 8 p.m.--Kevin O'day and Friends
March 8, 2011---CLOSED, HAPPY MARDI GRAS!!!

Donna's on Rampart can be found on the Internet at http://www.donnasonrampart.com and on Facebook under Donna's on Rampart. For information you can contact the Crew at Donna's at Main Line: 504-304-6340
Concert Line: 504-875-4978.

For Booking information or to leave us your Press Kit please stop by the venue any night Thursday through Sunday and ask for Venessa Williams.

See you at Donna's

Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler!

"Mardi Gras is bars and restaurants changing out all the CD's in their jukeboxes to Professor Longhair and the Neville Brothers, and it is annual front-porch crawfish boils hours before the parades so your stomach and attitude reach a state of grace, and it is returning to the same street corner, year after year, and standing next to the same people, year after year--people whose names you may or may not even know but you've watched their kids grow up in this public tableau and when they're not there, you wonder: Where are those guys this year?"-Chris Rose

"New Orleans is the only place I know of where you ask a little kid what he wants to be and instead of saying "I want to be a policeman," or "I want to be a fireman," he says, I want to be a musician".--Alan Jaffe

Pisces Party 2011 Benefits Haiti's Youth

"Pisces are creative people.Pisces always make great friends and soulmates. Pisces are extremely loyal and caring. Pisces often possess uncanny intuitive or psychic abilities"

"The arts, marketing, music, teaching, drama, healing arts...these are all fields in which Pisces can find expression. Their imagination, attunement to humanity, and remarkable intuition endow them with enviable gifts of insight and creativity."




Many born within this sign tend to gravitate towards the Arts because of our love for beauty and all things spiritual and ethereal which can be best achieved through some medium in the Arts. Famous Pisces folks include: MichaelAngelo, Copernicus, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elizabeth Taylor, Kurt Cobain, Fats Dominoe, Johnny Cash, Quincy Jones,Liza Minelli, Albert Einstein, Queen Latifah, Jack Kerouac, Nat King Cole, Anais Nin, Drew Barrymore and Bruce Willis just to name a few. Not bad company to be included in.

On Tuesday March 1st, 2011 beginning at 8 p.m. at the Blue Nile on Frenchmen Street, all Pisces and Pisces Lover's/Friends are invited to Celebrate the qualities of this last sign of the Horoscope. I am purposely choosing to ignore that new horoscope! This being the First Annual Pisces Party the event will be one not easily forgotten! At only a $5.00 cover charge, the event is sure to leave you satisfied.

The Party includes an all star Pisces Band including Sam Price on Bass (from Honey Island Swamp Band & Otra), Eric Bolivar on Drums (Bonerama, Anders Osborne), Greg Hicks on Trombone (Bonerama), John Bagnato on Guitar (from the N.O. Heritage School of Music), Kristina Morales (Jazz vocals) and Loren Murrell (vocals and Guitar). This is just the core group of musicians not counting many special guests invited to share the stage with this amazingly talented group of artists who are all generously donating their time to a very worthy cause and just because it's sure to be a good time.

Proceeds from the Pisces Party 2011 will go to benefit the Haitian Youth Music Relief (www.haitianyouthmusicrelief.org) Fund led by Haitian Loyola Professor Dr. Jean Montes. This organization was featured on the front cover of the Gambit a few weeks ago and the idea was born to incorporate them into the party. The Haitian Youth Music Relief Fund gathers donations, music instruments, music books and supplies for the youth in Haiti. Due to the devastation caused by the massive Earthquake, Haiti is still trying to recover needing their basic needs met such as housing, food and shelter however there are a few things like the arts which will make all of Haiti feel like Human Beings again. Music always has the power to transform the soul by providing sheer joy in the form of musical notes. In New Orleans we take music very personal realizing all too well exactly what our brothers and sisters in Haiti are going through after struggling to recover from our own natural disaster.

As stated in their website; "A musician's instrument is a means of expression, a tool for connecting with others, and an old friend in times of tragedy. Music is a healing energy like no other and we can join together to provide this type of "medicine" to help heal the children who are suffering in Haiti." Again a sentiment understood best in a city like New Orleans known for making the best out of our worst times with the help of music.

The event will also include food donated by various Pisces folks, games and of course King Cakes since it is after all also Carnival time! Be part of a wonderful party benefitting an even greater cause. Someone once told me that part of our lot in life is to help others as much as we can because we are ALL ultimately connected. I believe in this to my core and what a better to extend a helping way than through music.


"Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion."-- Jack Kerouac

"Reality is something you rise above."-- Liza Minnelli

"Dreams are necessary to life."-- Anais Nin

LATIN MUSIC OF A UNIQUE FLAVOR

In New Orleans one of the our greatest attributes is the variety of cultures that combine to form our musical melting pot. On any given night, one can find Blues, Funk, Jazz, Folk, Latin, Hip-Hop, Soul, and as of recently more modern mixtures like Neo Soul, Indie Rock and Latin Funk just to name a few. This Saturday February 12th, 2011 the band Hola Hi from Florida will be in New Orleans Upstairs at the Blue Nile with an opening acoustic band Courtade (led by Latin rock promoter and Latin Radio DJ Eduardo Courtade) beginning at 10p.m. with the main act performing at 11 p.m. The group comprised of a husband and wife team will soothe your soul and make you want to wiggle in your seat simultaneously to the sounds of Latin Indie Pop Funk, a vibration not heard too often in New Orleans. Although we are saturated with top notch music here in the N-O-L-A,I also believe we are constantly opening the door to new styles and contributions.

Hola Hi belongs to the more non traditional styles of music heard on Frenchman Street and as such are part of an exciting Latin sound which typically is native to States like New York, California, Florida and Texas. Latin music has all the same variations in genres as English dominated music in that we have funk, alternative, rock, reggae, ska, pop, hip-hop, country, as well as the Latin standards like Salsa and Merengue. Hola Hi combines their experiences as a multicultural band bringing in elements from genres of music native to the two forces in the band, Angelina who is Dominicana (Dominican republic) and Paul who is from right here in New Orleans. One tidbit I found Interested was the name of the band, Hola Hi,which is a greeting often heard in South Florida combining English and Spanish into one phrase.

I asked the Band a few questions to help us get to know the Latin Indie Group Hola Hi more intimately, the interview follows below:



Martha Alguera: Can you tell me a little bit about the origins of the band?

Angelina (Hola Hi): The band started in 2009 in south florida although the real start was back in Louisiana where we met. We were both in a band called Palo Viejo, I was the singer and Paul was the guitarist. When we moved to Florida we started to experiment with new sounds and a new project was born, Hola Hi. Going further back, I'm originally from the Dominican Republic and came to the US to study at LSU while Paul is originally from New Orleans a proud graduate of Eleanor McMain High School)

MA: Can you please let our readers know the members of the band.
HH:Angelina is the vocalist, bassist, co-composer, and co-conspirator of the group. Paul is the guitarist, multiinstrumentalist, co-composer and co-conspirator. The rest of the live band is made up of good friends that we have met in our journeys.


MA:Can you describe to me ,in your words, what your style of music is?
HH: We describe our sound as indie pop dumspta funk. We use a lot of backbeats and upbeat rhythms that reference our love of New Orleans brass bands but the vocals are pure unadulterated pop, pulling from Juan Luis Guerra and Stevie Wonder, amongst others.


MA: Who are some of the Band's biggest influences?
HH: The list is long and distinguished but our main influences would have to be Juan Luis Guerra, Stevie Wonder, Rebirth Brass Band, and The Clash




MA: You are releasing an album this coming month in Feb, correct? What is your main goal for this album?
HH: We have worked extremely long and hard on this album so for us just releasing the cd is a victory!!! We hope that the listeners can connect with the stories we tell in our songs and find a little of themselves in our words.




MA: What are your long term goals for this group?
HH: To play for as long as we can and enjoy the journey along the way. To find ways of growing and creating new experiences every day. This is an endeavor of love and hope and it's difficult to look too far into the future with such things. It's been said that in order to be done right, both love and cooking must be done with reckless abandon.

MA:. Can you describe to me the process of the creation of a song in your group? Is there one primordial writer/composer. Do you write the lyrics first and then the music or vice versa.
HH: We've done it both ways. For example, 'Aire de Primavera' was begun by Angelina with a catchy melody and a concept of new love that grows like new sprouts on a dying plant, reviving it once again. The music was written to suit the vibe she was getting at. Conversely, the song 'Viaje al Horizonte' came about as music first and then Angelina composed the melody and lyrics to the concept of hope for impossible dreams to be realized which is what the music inspired in her. Each manner provides unique challenges and outcomes. To your second question, Angelina typically writes the melodies and lyrics and I (Paul) compose the music.



MA: Is your music only in Spanish?
HH: For now, the songs are only recorded in Spanish, however we have all the songs in English and plan on recording them in the spring. At its core that's the concept of the name Hola Hi. Bilingual, bringing our two cultures together under one roof.



MA: You have a show in New Orleans on Feb12th, who will be playing with you then? Any special guests?
HH: We'll have several local musicians sitting in with us, Michael Barr on guitar, Drew Greene on drums, and Josh Harvey on keys and trumpet. We plan to have a few surprise guests dropping by but we can't reveal who right now. We have a special guest opening the show, Courtade a great band and great people you should definitely check out.

MA: How does playing music make you feel? Please describe as best you can
HH : (PAUL) Playing music for me is the creation of harmony and order in a chaotic environment. It is a release and an opiate. It always surprises me with another unexpected twist or turn. And the energy you get from connecting with an audience and you're all there in the moment, it's indescribable.
(ANGELINA): Playing music makes me feel alive and electrified! It's therapy which at times fills my heart with joyous elation and at others helps me reflect on and ease fear and pain.

Hola Hi can be reached for booking at holahi@gmail.com
The Band's website is www.holahi.com

Memories....

Throughout our lives we all have markers, reminders that instantly transport us to that one particular moment in time. For many including myself, those markers come in form of a song. My entire life is dotted in red ,sort of like a timeline by certain songs or by certain albums. I also had the pleasure of growing up in Mid City and had the chance to hear the school marching bands from my porch as they got in gear for Mardi Gras. When I was a child and got punished for something, my radio would get taken away and I felt as if I would die because those songs contained all the lyrics to my feelings which I couldn't explain as a little girl.

I remember my first memory of a song at the age of 4 being "SWEET DREAMS" by the Eurythmics as if it was yesterday. My mom and stepfather and I had gone to the grocery store and there was a heavy thunderstorm and we were "stuck" in the car waiting for the rain to pass and THAT song came on. When I was six my favorite cousin ,Maria, had Michael Jackson tapes in her apartment and my love affair with Michael began. At the age of ten I got my first "Tiffany" record and I was in teeny bopper heaven but my favorite song from that album was "I saw him standing there" a remake of the Beatles classic, so Tiffany introduced me to the Beatles. On Sundays was cleaning day at my mom's house and once the Windex and Ajax came out, so did the old 45's which included "Funky Town" by Lipps Inc, "Agua de Beber" by Astrid Gilberto, "Him" by Rupert Holmes, Barbara Streisand and Barry Gibb's "Woman in Love" along with some spanish tunes from bands like "Los Panchos" and "Sonora Matancera" and my mom's favorite "Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine". Our Sunday cleaning sessions were fun ONLY because of those records as I sang along while scrubbing the toilet. So I now say ,"Thanks Mom for the music and the lessons in cleaning a bathroom spotlessly"

During my teenage years, I became enamored with all the music stars I'd see on the latin channel such as Thalia, Fey, Cristian Castro as well as Boys to Men, U2 and Depeche Mode. The latter band was my complete saviour when we moved to Memphis,TN because of a job offer. I hated it there especially after being taken out of my Mid City community and school which I had attended since kindergarten. You can only imagine the angst and gravity of my life at 13 in this situation. I somehow heard Depeche Mode and completely lost myself in "Violator". At the tender ,shallow age of 13 I would lock myself in my room and listen to that CD over and over. "World in my Eyes" and "Personal Jesus" became my teenage mantras.

A few years later at the age of 20 I became pregnant and during my 9 months of waiting to see my baby's face, I would sing Bette Midlers "Baby Mine" to my daughter and stroke my growing belly. My daughter is now 12 and that song is on her playlist on her IPOD. Stevie Wonder's "You are The Sunshine of my Life" is forever attached to my child as well and is now her ringtone on my phone. Now she introduces me to music and she likes country and Teen Heartthrobs like Justin Beiber and the Jonas Brothers but I am also proud to report that my daughter loves Queen, old Cher, Elvis. Etta James and the Eagles. It's in her genes to like good music.


The countless music I've seen in New Orleans is part of my fabric and soul and one of the many reasons I returned here from California. We are now coming up on the 5th anniversary of Katrina (Trageversary, as I like to call it) and it will always remain in our collective memory. The other day, I was talking with a friend about my Katrina experience, I mentioned to him that I took 3 Cd's with me and those 3 Cd's helped me keep it together as I hung out in Fayetteville, AR with some kind strangers way from my family and those same 3 Cd's made their way with me to California. I remember playing those Cd's as I made myself at home in my new Oakland dwellings. Those 3 picked favorites were Etta James greatest hits, Aretha Franklin's Greatest Hits and The Beatles "Hard Day's Night". You know that question, "What records would you take with you to a deserted island" well mine were those three and I am so grateful for them. Thank you Etta, Aretha, John, Paul, Ringo and George and Yes I feel comfortable enough with them to call them by their first name because they were my true friends during a very hard, traumatic time in my life. Just like real friends do, they saw me cry, saw me laugh, saw me dance, they put me to sleep and greeted me with subshine and incredible music.

I honestly think I would wither up inside if it wasn't for music and I believe there is a reason why my family chose to come live in the most musical city in America. The universe knew what it was doing because my life without the beat would be no life at all. Music comforts, uplifts, gives me goosebumps, brings friends together and cleanses our soul. Music makes the soul overflow with laughter. I am happy all my memories are attached to a song and I hope when I pass this life there will be song after song after song played.

"When I die, you better secondline"-Kermit Ruffins

Jermaine Quiz of Jealous Monk New SOLO CD

Jermaine Quiz of New Orleans Favorite Hip Hop Band is a busy man.. He just released a new Jealous Monk Album, is on the brink of releasing his first solo album and is about to start a bi weekly Mashup party(1st and 3rd Saturdays at the Bridge Lounge).

His solo album entitled "Feel the Times" is not a strict hip hop album. Including elements of hip hop, retro soul, funk as well as a heavy Motown influence, Jermaine Quiz has created a timeless piece of music that transcends New Orleans while pushing it to a national and international audiences. Reminiscent of groups such as Toots and the Maytals, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime and Beck, "Feel the times" is the quintessential New Orleans Album but Palatable to the main stream Market. Quiz Says " New Orleans is my home, I want to see its influence spread."

Get the Preview Of the album here:http://jermainequiz.bandcamp.com/
The album is set to release on March 23, 2010. Quiz's 23rd Birthday

The music of Jermaine Quiz is one that undoubtedly remains with you hours after listening to the funk and hip hop laden beats of the album. In addition to performing with his band "Jealous Monk" all over the city, Jermaine Quiz shines as the producer of his first solo album. The sky is the limit for this young talented musician and all- over-musical chameleon who wears many hats on and off the stage as a vocalist, DJ, MC, writer and producer. His many creative attributes are made evident through the creation of this solo album as well as his past recordings with Jealous Monk on their debut album "From Sun Up to Sun Down" and his own"Jermaine Quiz Instrumentals"

The dominant tone of this album is the versatility of the same as Quiz merges classic New Orleans genres such as Funk, Jazz, brass band beats and soul with Hip Hop and DJ beats; indeed "Feeling the Times" as the name of the album suggests. Jermain Quiz is on the right track as this style seems to be the next level of New Orleans music simply because it IS a collaboration of so many appreciated and loved styles widening its appeal to include young and old alike.

Jermaine Quiz has had many musical influences in his life which have led to his musical diversity such as growing up listening to a variety of Latin artists due to his Latino heritage and living in New Jersey where the main attraction was hip hop and beat box style of music. The introduction to New Orleans music began when Quiz was attending Loyola University and began frequenting the myriad of Live music venues the city has to offer. His music speaks volumes of all these influences as he successfully blends all these genres into a funky-fresh, intelligent album.

From the funk heavy first track to the all Instrumental last track the album proves that older genres can be mashed up with modern ones to create a sound that runs a line through 1920-30's Jazz to 1970's Funk beats and ends with modern day hip hop/rap beats. The first track on "Feel the Times" titled "Fine Lil Thing" instantly sets the tone for the album providing danceable beats and featuring an amazing guitar solo towards the end of the song by collaborator Pete Murano ,which along with catchy refrain, set the entire album as the funk-oriented, dance, soulful recording that it is.

Another highlight is the song "Ballad to you" which is just that, a hip hop ballad showcasing the lyrical stylings of Quiz and collaborator MC Intelligence playing tribute to friendship through lyrics like "This is my ballad to you my friend,
ill be by your side til my life ends, you know that i got you back,
and if haters mess with you i'll take a bat then crack."
The last song of the album titled "New Orleans Night" with its looped keys and a mixture of alternating beats as well as distinct Sax parts behind it immediately evokes images of taking a cool relaxed stroll through New Orleans after a night of fun and entertainment.


All the songs on the album provide a fresh and seemingly young,unabashed version of what New Orleans music has to offer now in 2010 all the while celebrating New Orleans more traditional staples such as Jazz and Funk. Jermaine Quiz plays regularly with his band Jealous Monk and can be seen freestyling all over the city whenever he is invited on stage by NOLA legends such as George Porter, Johnny Vidacovich and Kirk Joseph bringing the Hip-hop funk to the masses and invigorating the crowds with his lyrical talent. The name Jermain Quiz will ,without a doubt, grace the cover and stages of National magazines and concerts in the very near future. This will just be yet another tribute to the pool of musical geniuses cultured in our lil funky city!



Jermaine Quiz can also be contacted on the following sites
1.http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jealous-Monk/37225893543/Jealous-Monk/37225893543#!/nicholaspino,
2.http://www.jealousmonkmusic.com/,
3.http://www.twitter.com/jealousmonknola

Indie Rock and Alternative Music this weekend at the Foburg Music Festival

"Rock is so much fun. That's what it's all about -- filling up the chest cavities and empty kneecaps and elbows". -- Jim Hendrix

This weekend, March 12-14 2010, NOIR (New Orleans Indie Rock Collective) will inaugurate the Foburg Music Festival. This indie rock festival aims to showcase indie rock and alternative rock artists who otherwise do not have their own gathering of this kind in a city who is not too well known for its independent rock scene. Although this genre is an ever growing and thriving presence in the city, it is often placed behind more popular New Orleans genres such as jazz and funk. The festival will take place at various locations on Frenchmen Street and features over 70 artists. The admission cost is well worth the number of bands performing all weekend at $25 presale prices and $30 at the festival
.


The concept behind the festival was to give artists a chance to play in New Orleans before heading to the notable SXSW Festival taking place in Austin, TX the following week. Festival organizers and promoters are interested in showing Frenchmen Street and surrounding venues that this progressive rock sound can be profitable if showcased and promoted correctly. The festival includes a myriad of New Orleans based acts as well as national touring bands.

The Frenchmen Street venues hosting this festival will be The Maison; both upstairs and downstairs, Dragon's Den; upstairs and downstairs, Blue Nile: upstairs and downstairs as well, D.B.A., R Bar and Checkpoint Charlie's. With so many acts performing back to back and simultaneously, this festival will surely be full of positive music energy. It is also a great time to host a festival of this sort with spring festival season just upon us. Let's spring towards a unique and incomparable festival season as only New Orleans can!

In weeks past when I first saw the name of the festival in print "Foburg: A Music Festival" I wondered why the word "Foubourg" was spelled incorrectly and I figured it was part of some clever marketing/advertising idea. The webpage for the festival states that they were indeed doing this by playing with the word "Foubourg" in reference to the Foubourg Marigny neighborhood in which the event takes place. "As you know, most indie festivals have silly, but memorable names (IE – Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza) We wanted Foburg to do the same – but with some sort of New Orleans relevance."

Jazz, blues and funk thrill me deeply albeit the idea of listening to different sounds and beats excites me just as much. In speaking about music, I believe change is good and music must mutate and evolve in order to keep audiences interested. Furthermore, New Orleans has historically played a huge roll in rock and roll and it is all but fitting to hold a festival promoting some of the new players in this forever growing genre.

Some of the talented bands showcased in the festival include Rotary Downs, Giant Cloud, Silent Cinema, Big Rock Candy Mountain, MyNameisJohnMichael, Glasgow, Los Po-Boycitos, Mia Borders and Big Blue Marble all from New Orleans. The festival will also feature national acts such as A Million Years and Davey Mooney from New York, BrassBed from Lafayette-LA, Savoir Adoire from Brooklyn, Signals from LA and Hope For Agoldensummer from Athens, GA just to name a few. Just typing all these names makes me more anxious to support this festival with such a huge roster of musicians bringing the rock and alternative scene to Frenchmen Street.

The Frenchmen Street area along with Dragon's Den on Esplanade and R Bar on Royal Street will be saturated with savvy music listeners enjoying the eclectic sounds of indie Rock and alternative music all weekend. Don't miss this first ever Foburg Music Festival beginning this Friday, March 12, to Sunday, March 14. The music will be worth it and might offer some inspiration.

A list of Artist below:

A Living Soundtrack
The Show is the Rainbow
Giant Cloud
The Blue Party
Hope For Agoldensummer
Silent Cinema
Hurray for the Riff Raff
The Bears of Blue River
The Pharmacy
Pumpkin
Caddywhompus
Dr. Manhattan
Big Rock Candy Mountain
Sun Hotel
Givers
The Revivalists
MyNameIsJohnMichael
Signals
Peelander-Z
Savoir Adore
Brass Red
One Man Machine
Dirty Bourbon River Show
Vox and the Hound
Flow Tribe
Smiley with a Knife
Mon Khmer
Yardwork
Chris Rehm
Booty Trove
Luke Winslow-King
The Bellys
Chaz Knapp & The Craft Brothers
High in One Eye
Davy Mooney
Consortium of Genius
Megafauna
A Million Years
Loren Murrell
Alexis Marceaux
We Landed on the Moon
Dinosaur Feathers
Helen Gillet
Rotary Downs
Andrew Duhon
The Happy Talk Band
The Frontier Brothers
Ben Labat and the Happy Devil
Savoy
Big Blue Marble
Wazozo
Mia Borders
Black Taxi
DJ Bees Knees
Wativ
The Other Planets
Drumcart
DJ Pasta
Big Fat & Delicious
The Gills
Jean - Eric
DJ Lefty Parker
The Burroughs
Dummy Dumpster
Sings
Gamma Ringo
Hightide Blues
Steve Eck and the Midnight Stills
Jeff the Brotherhood
Glasgow
Ray Bong
Reno Bo
Mark Weliky Trio
Meg Roussel
Ratty Scurvics Ensemble
Meschiya Lake
New Grass Country Club
Natalie Mae
Hugo
Los Po-Boy-Citos
DJ Alison Fensterstock
Local Skank
King Rey
Zorch
Love Hog
Gris Gris


"You can't stay the same. If you're a musician and a singer, you have to change, that's the way it works."--Van Morrison