As we start our 20th year as a band, we look forward to one last string of dates before taking our first ever planned hiatus, the longest break we'll have ever taken from touring! We had planned to start the hiatus a month ago, but had to keep the Kalenda tour going a little longer after the album won a Grammy in January. We're very excited for our first ever break, and we're already excited to come back at some point next year, and we can all enjoy our own ramblin' pace and side projects until then. Here's what's happening, according to our (rad) publicist:
Lost Bayou Ramblers, the perversely progressive band rooted in Cajun traditions, are undertaking a victory lap this Fall, that begins September 7 in Lafayette, Louisiana and ends October 27, 2018 in New Orleans. Afterwards, the group goes on hiatus until April 2019 - their longest break from regular live performing in twenty years.
2018 began with the band winning a Grammy Award for Best Regional Roots Music Album for their latest release Kalenda, produced by Korey Richey of LCD Soundsystem (a revolving member of LBR who also produced their Mammoth Waltz album). Soon after, Rodents of Unusual Size was released to great critical acclaim, a documentary with musical score composed and produced by singer/fiddler Louis Michot and performed by the Ramblers. During their “break,” they’re scoring another film, a Lost Bayou Ramblers documentary being produced by Worklight Pictures, slated for 2019 release. Outside of this last bit of band business, the individual members have plenty planned to keep themselves busy till they reconvene.
Electric guitarist Jonny Campos is releasing a new album from the Carbon Poppies, the group he fronts. Rain On My Face comes out on Spain’s Elefant Records September 14 and once LBR’s tour wraps, he’ll be touring in support of this album.
Band co-founder Andre Michot (accordion, lapsteel) will be performing with the Ramblers’ Eric Heigle as “Lost Bayou Duo” on the “Take Me To The River Tour,” Fall through Winter 2018/2019; this tour promotes the namesake documentary film which features the full band, performing Ani Difranco and Walter Wolfman Washington respectively. This pair will also be performing locally in their Uptown NOLA neighborhood as “The Riverbend Ramblers,” joined by Andre's wife, Joanna Divine. Any leisure time will be devoted to building “Michot” brand accordions to meet overwhelming demand which has already produced a LONG waiting list.
Heigle, who provides electronics and acoustic guitar for the group, is producing and mixing records for The Soul Rebels, Lakou Mizik, Motel Radio, and the 79rs Gang, as well as finishing work on his own album of original material. He’ll also be playing drums with seminal New Orleans Bounce artists 5th Ward Weebie, PNC, and DJ Jubilee among others, as well as touring with "Lost Bayou Duo."
Louis Michot will be shepherding the first releases from his Nouveau Electric Records imprint. This is an independent label founded earlier this year to promote experimental and traditional music inspired by the language, people and culture of South Louisiana. He’ll be performing live with “Triangle Club” a Creole-Zydeco band featuring his wife, Ashlee Michot, and Grammy-nominated Zydeco accordion player Corey Ledet. Louis’ electric string-band project “Michot’s Melody Makers” with fellow Ramblers Bryan Webre and Kirkland Middleton will be doing shows as well to promote the release of their debut album, Blood Moon by Sinking City Records.
Besides appearing with the Melody Makers, bassist Webre plans on recording with his band Tonomono who celebrate the sounds of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora with an added electronic edge.
When not playing with Louis, Kirkland will be working as part of the Nouveau Electric team... and finally learning French!