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Lafayette, LA Nick Pittman, September 2003 Appearing in the larger piece entitled: Heir Unapparent - With Festivals Acadiens here, ''The Times'' seeks out the next ruler of Cajun music. The Lost Bayou Ramblers "Every 10 years or so, a group of young musicians emerge to bring the deep traditional Cajun music back, and right now it's the Lost Bayou Ramblers, who blaze their fire on the scene," Cecil Doyle, of KRVS 88.7, once beamed of group, together since 1999. And The Lost Bayou Ramblers are doing just that - blazing away. Recent weeks found them playing to West Coast audiences. Their past conquests include crowded nights in New York's Circle Bar(sic) and rave reviews in publications from here to the Big Apple. And just why is that? If you hear the band, it all becomes pretty obvious. Judging from the way they conjure up the spirits of Cajun music's bygone days and long-lost masters, you'd think LBR plucked a crystal ball from a bayou psychic's yard sale. Their debut disc is a simple, raw and real mix of sound - dominated by accordions and fiddles and a yelping vocal accompaniment by Louis Michot - that could only be recorded at a fishing camp. LBR formed a year after two members, brothers Andre and Louis Michot, graduated to accordion and fiddle, respectively, after serving 10 years in their father's band, Les Freres Michot, in which they played guitar, upright bass and triangle. The band ushered in their fulltime status and their first outside-of-Acadiana performance in September 2002 with a trip to Brooklyn and Manhattan. Although LBR sticks close to simple sounds of old roots Cajun and Louisiana French swing, they are not afraid to incorporate an outside influence here and there, breaking into a Middle Eastern, belly dance groove on the standard "J'etais au Bal." Possibly the authenticity and experimentation have more to do with their tastes than any motive to keep things pure. "We let the music speak for itself; we know what we like, and we play what we like to play. ... We just play the music, and if people like it, that's great," says Louis Michot. "What is today considered 'traditional' Cajun music was originally created by a blending of many cultures and musical styles, so for us it's not a matter of 'purism' or 'traditionalism.' We play it like we learned it, and we don't feel restricted to a certain sound. We connect most with the simple songs, melodies and singin' the blues, in French or English. Plus, we don't want to have to lug around heavy rock and roll equipment." Next on the rambling road map that has taken them to San Francisco, Colorado, upstate New York is a few spots at the Blue Moon Saloon & Guest House and an international tour slated for next year. Their new album is on Swallow Records - Pilette Breakdown, which includes new material and five re-mastered tracks from Un 'Tit Gout. "Moi, j'connais pas. We just keep on rambin'," says Michot.

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