New Orleans-based/Louisiana-born musicians are commanding attention from the Americana world. Whereas Americana is primarily string-based, New Orleans – AKA the birthplace of jazz – has long been associated with its brass band traditions. And while Nashville remains the ultimate objective of Americana artists everywhere, there is an increasing amount of homegrown New Orleans Americana talent stepping rightfully onto the national stage. Take recent Grammy winners Jon Batiste and Lost Bayou Ramblers, for example, as well as the breakout successes of folk rock diva Lilli Lewis, singer-songwriter/guitarist Joy Clark, and country trio Chapel Hart.
The twain shall meet. Lewis, along with artists Jeremy Joyce and Ever More Nest, are launching NOLAxNashville: the first New Orleans-focused showcases during Americana Fest. The diverse lineup includes Lewis, Joyce, Ever More Nest, Mia Borders, Lynn Drury, Shawn Williams, and Loose Cattle (fronted by Tony Award-Winner / HBO’s The Gilded Age actor Michael Cerveris and trumpet player/jazz vocalist/podcaster Kimberly Kaye). Entrepreneur and performer Mia Borders organized a PrideFest this year that also included herself, Lewis, Ever More Nest, and Loose Cattle – all queer-identifying artists.
“Americana music is always pushing the boundaries of received definitions of genre,” Jim McCormick states. The New Orleans-based multi platinum-selling songwriter has achieved three #1 songs on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Joy Clark has earned a place in Allison Russell’s band currently on tour with Brandi Carlile, and established acts like Hurray for the Riff Raff and Americana Fest showcasing artists Leyla McCalla and The Deslondes are all touring new albums.
“What makes New Orleans great is you can break all the musical rules,” singer-songwriter/guitarist Jeremy Joyce says. Lilli Lewis, too, realizes that the definition of Americana depends on who you ask. Last year saw the release of her album Americana – the sound of her country soul circling back to the dirt road she grew up on but also a bonafide roots album given that title because its stories and sensibilities are foundational to American music.
“In the genre, a lot of stories get left behind,” Lewis told me in an interview. “I wanted to give voice to some stories that might not be included in the lexicon of American stories, and yet we’re listening to them every day.” Last year also found Lewis part of Rolling Stone’s AmericanaFest 2021: Best Things We Saw piece, as well as in NPR’s All Songs Considered Top 10.
“Americana artists in New Orleans often feel we’re swimming upstream thanks to the perception that the main thrust of Louisiana music exports centers around funk, trad jazz, blues, and Mardi Gras music,” explains Lewis. “But after spending eight years running a Louisiana label centered around that, I realized it could all be viewed as Americana with a widened lens. I’m excited that those of us who claim that moniker are forming a community, and it only makes sense to bring our scene to Nashville.”
NOLAxNashville: Crescent City Meets Music City will spotlight New Orleans artists beginning Thursday, September 15th at Vinyl Tap and Sunday, September 18th at Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge. Shows are open to the public.
Thursday, September 15, 2022, all ages
Vinyl Tap (2038 Greenwood Ave., Nashville, TN 37206)
1pm – 10pm
1:00 – Jeremy Joyce
1:45 – Amanda Shaw
2:30 – Loose Cattle (w/ Louis Michot)
3:15 – Ever More Nest
4:00 – Lilli Lewis
4:45 – Joy Clark
Intermission
6:00 – Carolyn Broussard
6:45 – Shawn Williams
7:30 – Lynn Drury
8:15 – Milly Raccoon
9:00 – Chelsea Lovitt
9:45 – Sam Doores
Sunday, September 18, 2022
Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge (102 E. Palestine Ave., Madison, TN 37115) 1pm – 5pm
Shawn Williams
Mia Borders
Lynn Drury
Jeremy Joyce w/Carolyn Broussard
