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Possessing a sense of humor, the confidence to experiment and the resourcefulness to succeed, Autumn High set the standard for self-marketing a band in Houma.
While releasing two sophisticated music videos in the past year – and quirky, humorous photo shoots – the band has operated under sensible logic: Focus on the things you do well, and pursue excellence in those fields. That they do this with an omnipresent self-awareness makes them engaging and endearing.
The Houma family band – comprised of lead singer and keyboardist Beth (Detiveaux) White, her percussionist spouse Caleb, his bassist brother Sam and cousin/guitarist/vocalist Kenny Kreamer – launches the second Best of the Bayou Festival with an hour-long set beginning at noon.
About a year ago, Autumn High highlighted Beth’s push to the band’s forefront with the video accompanying their new single, “Jester,” a song built around her voice.
They followed with a video for “Shake Up My World,” which evolves from a meandering, two-part tune into a quickly paced harmony of Beth and Kreamer’s voices.
Vocal synchronization is at the center of the tightly knit group, but its musicianship shouldn’t be ignored. Pop vocals mix with rock tunes – and maybe a little folk – and each member more than holds their own with instruments, even without studio polish.
Subtle changes in sound and composition may make themselves apparent, as the band’s songwriting process increasingly becomes a group-shared duty. The band’s foundation won’t be reconstructed, but Beth and Kreamer both said whatever the destination in sound, it will be reached organically.
“I don’t even know if we still, how many years in, even know exactly where we want to go (with our sound),” Beth said. “We just kind of feed off each other, get pumped up and do whatever we’re doing.”
After a performance hiatus this summer, Autumn High intend to dive back into live shows. That began last month when they opened for Baby Bee at The Boxer and The Barrel and continues with sets at an array of events stretching through October.
The band plans to release on Sept. 14 its second EP, “Queen of the Night,” during a performance at Houma’s Salon Rubicon in conjunction with Art After Dark. The six-track recording includes “Jester” and “Shake Up My World.” Joe and David Stark lent their talents to producing the compilation.
Already with a few more songs in their hopper, the next project facing Autumn High is a full-length album, which they hope will incite interest from a record label.
