Willis Felecien Sevin
October 2, 2013
Not your average QB: THS star shines, despite desire to be halfback
October 9, 2013
“The best of the bayou” can mean many things to many people. I would define the “best of the bayou” as the most talented musicians and bands that are from … The Bayou! But a festival that heralds itself by that name was surprisingly light on bands from Houma.
The second annual “Best of the Bayou” was last month, and I must say that I was disappointed with the lack of original Houma bands. This city is filled to the brim with talented artists who make some of the greatest original music to come out of Louisiana.
New Orleans has nothing on Houma. The people here actually want to hear the music that is being played, and they support their local artists. I would much rather play a show in Houma, because I know that the show is going to be better here.
The vast assortment of bands that call this their home is mind-boggling. All genres of music are represented here in one way or another. So I kind of take it as a slap in the face when a festival wants to park itself on Main Street and call itself the “Best of the Bayou.” When there will be absolutely no Ivory Sons? No Rick Flavored Arsenal? No Ravens of October? No Chaos of the Cosmos? How can this possibly be?
I respect that the powers behind the festival are trying to draw tourists to Houma, but I believe that they have missed an opportunity to ensure the success of this festival. I feel as though Houma bands are being overlooked, and I frankly don’t like it. Why do they feel the need to ship in bands from out of state when the talent is right under their nose?
I would rather pay 15 bucks to go see Cody Peltier at The Boxer than stand outside for free and listen to half of this year’s lineup. It’s not to be disrespectful, but that’s where the talent is. Instead of paying hundreds, if not thousands of dollars to get most of these acts, the powers that be could have hired two or three really big acts and filled the rest of the card with Houma bands. Houma bands wouldn’t ask for thousands of dollars to play; most would do it freely.
Houmapalooza is a growing stage for rising talent of the Tri-parish region, and its organizers don’t pay bands a dime. Bands just want to play and be heard. They want the exposure that a festival like this brings. That light should shine on the originality of Houma.
Blacken the Sun, Cyanide Smile and Blackwater Burial are there to appease any metal fans. The black shirts come out in droves to support the local scene. Average Joe 44, Hustlaholic and S.a.C. Religious are all artists that encompass hip-hop in their own unique way. Chaos of the Cosmos, Ocean of Storms and Isle Derniére provide the funky grooves that are sure to make anyone move in their seats. Rick Flavored Arsenal, Bill Mountain and Secret Society in Smaller Lies and the Jak Locke Rock Show provide high-octane rock ‘n’ roll that’ll hit you like a freight train. Ravens of October, The Ivory Sons and Attorney at Law are more amazing bands to see live. The Americanos, the Wet Fingers and The NOLA Treblemakers are three of the best cover bands that you’ll find anywhere. I could literally go on and on about unrecognized bands that deserve to be called the “best of the bayou.”
I like to fancy myself a musician; therefore, I like to think that I have an ear for this sort of thing. A festival being held in Houma that doesn’t have Seth Stogner, Tim Belanger, Rick Voisin, Terrell “T-Money” Clark, Chris Briggs, Cody Peltier or Alex Alfortish can in no way call itself the best of our bayou. I hope that I speak for more than just myself when I express these feelings.
I watch the talented people that thrive in this city every day. They deserve to have their names on that bill that claims to be the “best,” because they are the best of the bayou. I wish well for the festival – I just want them to know they overlooked people who are extremely gifted and, quite frankly, deserve it more than some. If someone reads this and disagrees, that’s fine. I just couldn’t have it on my conscience to sit back and not say anything about the blatant false advertising that I see.
– Alex Martin is a local musician and thespian who loves and lives in Houma. Reach him at alex@gumboguide.com.
Autumn High perform at the second-annual Best of the Bayou Festival in downtown Houma. The band was one of 21 to perform at the festival. Nineteen are based in Louisiana, and seven are based in the Tri-parish area.
