ISSUE 3 “The Music Lifestyle Magazine” Vol. 1

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Voodoo Dawl of the Monthsee pg. 14

15 Questions: Travis Mattesee pg. 4

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PUBLISHER | Myke Fay-Z myke@pressplaymag.com

EDITOR | Chris Recinos chris@pressplaymag.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR | Eric Tabor eric@pressplaymag.com EVENTS COORDINATOR Elvis Adams elvis@pressplaymag.com

STAFF WRITERS Heidi Ohmer FEATURED ARTISTSCo-RuffTravis Matte

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Press Play Magazine. 2010. All rights reserved. Press Play Magazine (PPM) is a free publication. PPM, unless stated otherwise, claims no right to any third-party content used within the publication.

Although PPM strives to maintain a high level of accuracy and validity within its content, PPM, its publishers, contributors, and support staff issue no guarantees to accuracy, completeness, or usefulness. The endorsements, opinions, and information published within PPM do not necessarily reflect the views of PPM’s staff, sponsors, or advertisers. It is the sole responsibility of the Reader to evaluate the information, opinion, advice, or other content available through Press Play Magazine.

Under no circumstances shall Press Play Magazine or any other party involved in creating, producing, or distributing of Press Play Magazine be liable for damages of any kind, including (without limitation) compensatory, direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages. This includes but is not limited to reliance by a Reader on any information obtained from PPM or that which results from mistakes, omissions, interruptions, deletion of files or email, errors, defects, or any failure of performance, whether or not resulting from acts of God, communications failure, theft, destruction, or unauthorized access to PPM’s records, programs, or services. Because some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, in such states liability is limited to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Publisher’s Rewind:

®As we look at ourselves every day, we should understand what we need to be doing to better ourselves as people and as the role in our industry. If you seek great results in what you do, you need to play your role. Like Coach Doc Rivers told the 2008 Boston Celtics, “If we all play our roles we will be Champions,” and they did. This is so true! I am one who takes on many roles. I know for a fact that I am not the best at each role, but I try to give it my best. With the right people in the right place, many things are possible. But, every person involved has to do their part and then some.

In my operation, I depend on key people to fulfill certain duties to move forward in the right direction towards success. And, all other operations have the same dependency on persons playing their role. If I can do everything myself, I would, but the fact is that I cannot. It is impossible! You need good people that you trust to give you their best. As time goes by though, you see who is really dedicated to what you do. People come and go, but then you have those certain people who are fully dedicated to your every move. These people are the keys to success and stability to move on to the next development.

I bring this up for a reason. If you are a member of a band, a promoter or a venue owner, there is a reason for you to be in your current position and that it is a very important role you play. Your band mates, co-workers, or staffs depend on you to give 110% all the time. Like the good old saying, “Too many chiefs and not enough Indians.” With too many people trying to make final decisions, nothing can get accomplished. Look at what our government system has turned into! Whatever your role is, you need to be in the mind set of “whatever it takes.” Understand your strengths and weaknesses and surround yourself with people who can fill in the gap of your weaknesses and excel your strengths. We are all human beings, and we all have talents to express, but also lessons to be learned. I am not the best at what I do, but I want to learn of how I can better play my role. If I cannot better play my role, then I need to find someone who can.

With the ventures and events I have been a part of so far, I could not even imagine of putting on a huge event such as Voodoo. I have great respect for all who put on festivals. With so many moving parts and not enough room for error, I could only imagine the risk at stake and the key people necessary. From the big role to the small role, every position counts for a successful production.

Of course you can be prepared 100%, but you always have some type of malfunction. But, if everyone does their part, the audience will never know. Play your role and act like all is good. Be there for your peers. You are their backbone and they will be yours. We can all do great things as a team. There is no “I” in “TEAM” but there is a “TEAM” in “I”. Meaning we have the capabilities to do many things if we all work together and do our part. The impossible is possible. No matter your role or industry you are in, we can all be champions! Be all you can be. Play your role!

Long Live The Music,Myke Fay-Z

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“If it were easy, everybody would be doing it.”

- Anonymous

by Chris Recinos, Staff Writer, Editor Business is business. That’s one of the most common things heard and said in any industry when trying to explain why certain decisions that aren’t necessarily the nicest or even most moral are made. Business is business. It’s an excuse and it’s an escape from blame in the shadow of the truth that we may not be able to admit to the world or want to admit to ourselves. See, because business is sometimes not just business. It’s not just numbers and dollar signs and pie charts and computer software. There are people involved. There is a human factor that we have to take into consideration. Whether its employees, customers, clients, or fans, we have to keep in mind the feelings and the reactions of these people to everything we do; and not just to make sure we still make money and stay in business. Sure, ultimately, that’s the goal, but there’s so much more to it. It’s about being part of something bigger. At least it is for me and many of the people whom I value as equals. You can write a song just to sell records… it can be pure fluff, but you are doing yourself and your fans a disservice by not being honest - by not being human, because remember, they are. They have feelings. They have hopes and dreams and they live through your music, through your words. Sometimes those songs and those words are the only thing that makes them believe that they are not alone; that someone else out there... that someone being you, their idol and inspiration, has been through it as well and is now here for you in your time of need through the power of song. So don’t sell them a bunch of B.S. just to make a buck. The same human factor has to be realized and recognized in “the office.” We aren’t robots. We have feelings. We all bleed… some more than others. Some have families and some (which can even be harder to deal with) don’t have anyone. A job, a career, an internship, a hobby, a way of life, a passion, a love… it can be one or all of the above, and everything that can happen in the workplace can affect us individually or as a whole in ways that we can’t even imagine. That workplace being the office, the bar, the club, or even the band. So please be careful in your endeavors, your pursuit of the all mighty dollar and your otherwise successes, and please keep in mind this human factor mentioned throughout. And in addition to my usual message of doing what you love and doing it some more, take some time to help someone else do what they love and if at all possible, never take that away.

1) How long has Travis Matte and The Kingpins been around? First CD came out at the end of 2004 and band started performing live Jan. 2005.2) Where are you from? Originally from Church Point, LA but now I live in Scott, LA.3) How would you describe your music and show? Louisiana party music. Local heritage sounds blended with today’s modern sounds. Mainly all original songs.4) What made you go in the direction of the music that you play? It was just what I wanted to play and songs I wrote that just so happened to come out this style?5) When did you start playing the accordion? 2000.6) How many of them do you bring on stage? Six.7) How much of the country have you had the pleasure of performing in? Too many to list but will name a few: Seattle, Atlanta, New Mexico, Chicago, Texas, Florida and have done several cruises which have stopped in areas such as Grand Caymen, Cozumel and Jamaica. We are doing one in February 2011, 13th-20th!8) Which festivals have you played? Again, too many to list or remember but will try some: Crawfish Festival in both Louisiana and Florida, Catfish Festival, Rice Festival, Cotten Festival, Buggy Festival, Boggie Bayou Festival, Spice Festival, Heartland Festival, several Mardi Gras Festivals, Gator Festival, Mudfest, Cattle festival, Boucherie Festival, Downtown Alive, Alive at 5, Downtown at Sundown, Cracklin Festival, several 4th of July Festivals, Shrimp and Petroleum festival, Zwolle Loggers Festival, Gumbo Festival, Frog Festival, Rabbit Festival, Duck Festival we are doing the Acadian Festival in Plaquemine this year for the first time and also the Swine Festival in Basile as well.9) Any certain one’s your favorite? Hard to say. Enjoy several!10) Which are your favorite bands that you have been able to share the stage with? Hate to list Favorites… ha!

11) How did you go about first geting involved in playing festivals? Some contacted us and some we’ve contacted them and some booking agents.12) How would you recommend other bands get involved in playing festivals? Get a record out and send them your promo pack.13) Which do you prefer, festival shows or club shows? Both in different ways. I would say equal14) What do you think is the most amounts of people you’ve played in front of? 8000 maybe?15) After achieving so much, what are your future goals? Obtaining an outlet for local music to get into the major radio monopoly and get major airplay which is nearly impossible these days? I think the style of music has proven itself worthy by record sales and sites such as MySpace “when it was the place to go” having millions of song hits and more plays then most bands signed on major labels. It also showed all walks of life having the songs on their profile in different parts of the world. So, there is a demand for it just not any major record labels standing behind it. So, hopefully we will see that change!

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15 Questions with… TR

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Preventing the Inevitable for Educationby Heidi Ohmer, Staff Writer Local students and faculty members of Nicholls State University all have something in common: a reason to fight. For those who feel that Louisiana hasn’t been affected much by the recession, well think again! In order to protect other aspects of our state, Education and Health services are having major budget cuts—Education being first.

Since July of 2008, Nicholls funding has taken a whopping $10.6 million or a 29.4% cut. This has had a domino effect on many components, starting with the staff. A major reduction of 117 full time positions, which includes 47 faculty members, has taken place. Also, eight degree programs along with four concentrations have been eliminated. No other institution in the state has had to eliminate so many! All associate degrees, without the corresponding Bachelor’s degree, have also become extinct and there is no more teaching of developmental courses. It turns out this huge cut is only the beginning.

NSU has been asked for another 35% budget cut that will be effective July 1, 2011. What will this mean for the students and staff on campus? This means possible reductions and elimination to staff members that are included in student support, research support, Athletics, and much more. Another negative effect this will have is that 18 of the remaining 27 programs will be at risk to be terminated. This cut of so many degrees will affect thousands of students and faculty combined.

People may not take this seriously because it is just “little ol’ Nicholls State down in Thibodaux.” Yes, there are bigger universities that surround the area, but there are certain facts that people simply do not know. Statistics say that eight out ten nurses in this region are Nicholls graduates and four out of five teachers have also graduated from this facility. The university gives back a huge part to our state’s economy as well. Nicholls gives $274 million to the annual economy and provides 4,600 jobs throughout the state. Another fact to think about is that for every dollar the state invests in Nicholls, Louisiana gets eight dollars in return on their investment in the form of jobs. Take note that students and faculty have been involved in many projects and exerted research to make the surrounding areas a better place to live.

If this budget cut takes place, not only will Nicholls be affected, but the entire region. Without this institution, locals would have to move away to other major cities to receive their education. Imagine the money that will be going into other cities’ economies from the thousands of students that were forced to move away.

When asked about the crisis and what would happen if it is put into effect, freshmen Jessica Gast says “They’re cutting my major which means I’m going to have to move away and spend a lot of money. I’m IRATE because I just don’t have that kind of money!”

Students and the community are coming together to make a stand and fight for the pride of NSU. Meetings were called in which heaps of crowds filled up the room to show their support for our “Harvard on the Bayou.”

Many students are starting groups and websites online (www.standup4la.org), and countless people are personally contacting government officials to voice their opinions. For the students, for the staff, for the state, for everyone: the future starts now by taking action.

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1 The Wailers plus Trevor hall House of Blues New Orleans, LAThe Chee Weez The Varsity Theatre Baton Rouge, LAThe New Orleans Bingo! Show One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, LAGlasgow The Republic New Orleans, LARebirth Brass Band The Howlin' Wolf Northshore Mandeville, LAAmanda Shaw plus Dash Rip Rock Mid City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl New Orleans, LACrowbar w/ War Beast, Haarp, and Cauldron The Hanger New Orleans, LAREO Speedwagon, Little River Band, Sister Hazel, plus more Gretna Heritage Festival Gretna, LA

2 Cajun Rollergirls 2nd Annual Dance of the Dead featuring DJ-TJ and Secret Society in Small Lies City Club of Houma Houma, LAThe Cult plus The Black Ryder House of Blues New Orleans, LAFuture Leaders of the World plus Trevelyan and Poltern Kinder The Howlin' Wolf Northshore Mandeville, LAThe Doobie Brothers, Temptations with Dennis Edwards, Soul Asylum, and more Gretna Heritage Festival Gretna, LAChelsea Handler: Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang UNO Lakefront Arena New Orleans, LA

3 Enter Shakari, Haste The Day, Sleeping with Sirens, Ms. White, Lights go Blue The High Ground Venue (All Ages) Metairie, LA

Charles Daniels Band, Blake Shelton, Los Lobos, and more Gretna Heritage Festival Gretna, LA

4 Phantogram w/ Josiah Wolf Spanish Moon Baton Rouge, LA5 Stick to your Guns, As Blood Runs Black, Attila, For the Fallen Dreams, Close your Eyes The High Ground Venue (All Ages) Metairie, LA

Peelander-Z w/ M.O.T.O. plus Die Rottz ad The Poots One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, LA6 Blood on The Dance Floor, Let's get It, Breathe Electric The High Ground Venue (All Ages) Metairie, LA

David Bazan w/ Mynabirds One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, LABeats Antique plus Yard Dogs Road Show w/ Lynx The Republic New Orleans, LA

7 Devendra Banhard and The Grogs plus Twin Sister House of Blues New Orleans, LAReckless Kelly The Varsity Theatre Baton Rouge, LACovenant w/ Suicide Assyst and Torrent Vaccine The Hanger New Orleans, LA

8 12 Stones w/ Nothing More House of Blues New Orleans, LAReckless Kelly The Parish @ House of Blues New Orleans, LAVoodoo Video Lounge with VJ/DJ Cooyon City Club of Houma Houma, LASwitchfoot w/ The Almost The Varsity Theatre Baton Rouge, LACattle Decapitation, Devourment, Knights of The Abyss, Burning The Masses, Song of Aurelius The High ground Venue (All Ages) Metairie, LAGogol Bordello w/ Outernational The Republic New Orleans, LADaniel Tosh - Tosh Tour Twenty Ten Mahalia Jackson Theatre New Orleans, LA

9 Yeasayer plus Washed Out House of Blues New Orleans, LADaniel Tosh - Tosh Tour Twenty Ten Baton Rouge River Center Baton Rouge, LAIngram Hill w/ The Autopilots and The Lobbyist City Club of Houma Houma, LA

10 Mount Carmel w/ Karma to Burn One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, LA11 Deer Tick w/ J-Roddy Walston and The Business One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, LA12 Matt and Kim plus Big Freedia House of Blues New Orleans, LA

Rebelution The Varsity Theatre Baton Rouge, LAPortugal. The Man with Chief plus Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, LA

13 Willie Nelson & Family House of Blues New Orleans, LAThe Vaselines w/ Jeffrey Lewis One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, LA

14 Willie Nelson & Family House of Blues New Orleans, LAJosh Abbott Band The Varsity Theatre Baton Rouge, LA

15 Stone Temple Pilots Baton Rouge River Center Baton Rouge, LAMichal Frani & Spearhead plus Tamarama House of Blues New Orleans, LAMiMOSA & Two Fresh The Varsity Theatre Baton Rouge, LAThe Molly Ringwalds City Club of Houma Houma, LANew Grass Country Club The Republic New Orleans, LAChannel of Release w/ Touching the Absolute and Dope-I-Mean The Howlin' Wolf Northshore Mandeville, LAKnow Your Enemy: The Ultimate tribute to Rage Against the Machine Southport Music Hall Jefferson, LAComedy Central presents Gabriel Iglesias: The Fluffy Shop Tour Baton Rouge River Center Baton Rouge, LAMeriwether Last Call Thibodaux, LA

16 Southern Whiskey Rebellion w/ No Room for Saints and Cyanide Smile City Club of Houma Houma, LAThe Toasters, Joystick, plus more The High Ground veune (All Ages) Metairie, LASouthDown w/ The Difference Bellini's Thibodaux, LA

17 Comedy Central presents Gabriel Iglesias: The Fluffy Shop Tour House of Blues New Orleans, LA20 An Evening With The Playing for Change Band House of Blues New Orleans, LA

Alex B & Big Gigantic The Varsity Theatre Baton Rouge, LABuilt to Spill plus Revolt Revolt Howlin' Wolf New Orleans, LA

21 Jonny Lang House of Blues New Orleans, LA22 Shoulders of Giants w/ Arguing Semantics and Luke Starkiller plus special guests City Club of Houma Houma, LA

1999 - Prince Tribute House of Blues New Orleans, LAThe Thermals w/ Cymbals Eat Guitars and The Coathangers One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, LAForce Feed Radio The Republic New Orleans, LAPandemic Southport Music Hall Jefferson, LALive After 5: Vintage Downtown Houma Houma, LA

23 Beau Porche and The Backstabbers City Club of Houma Houma, LA24 Bone Thugs N Harmony House of Blues New Orleans, LA25 Arsonists Get All The Girls, Ion Dissonance, Within the Ruins, And Hell Followed With, Structures, Brotherhood, & Pacifist The High Ground Venue (All Ages) Metairie, LA

Valient Thorr w/ Caltrop and Black Primer One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, LALos Campesinos! w/ Johnny Foreigner The Republic New Orleans, LA

26 Circa Survive w/ Special Guests House of Blues New Orleans, LA27 Finger Eleven w/ Taddy Porter plus The Sleeping The Varsity Theatre Baton Rouge, LA

The Heavy One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, LA28 Finger Eleven + Taddy Porter + The Sleeping House of Blues New Orleans, LA

The Randy Rogers Band The Varsity Theatre Baton Rouge, LASteve Byrne One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, LA

29 Moll-o-ween w/ The Molly Ringwalds The Varsity Theatre Baton Rouge, LASoLA Center for the Arts Monster Bash Ball City Club of Houma Houma, LAEagles of Death Metal w/ Fitz and the Tantrums plus Carrie Ann Hearst (Official Voodoo After Party) One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, LAWidespread Panic UNO Lakefront Arena New Orleans, LA

30 Voodoo Video Lounge with VJ/DJ Cooyon featuring Co-Ruff City Club of Houma Houma, LAWidespread Panic UNO Lakefront Arena New Orleans, LA

31 Quinton and Miss Pussycat w/ Jean Eric, Vinsantos, and Micronaut One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, LAWidespread Panic UNO Lakefront Arena New Orleans, LA

3 Seven Year Existance w/ Blackwater Burial City Club of Houma Houma, LA5 nonpoint City Club of Houma Houma, LA

NOVEMBER 2010

OCTOBER 2010

PRESS PLAY MAGAZINE VOL. 1: ISSUE 38

Music. Food. Crafts. Culture. More music. More food. And even more music. That’s the basic recipe for a proper festival, and no one knows better than those of us on the Gulf Coast how to make that recipe different and at the same time familiar every year. No matter what kind of music or what kind of food you like, there is bound to be a festival for you within driving distance. The Cajun French Music Association Festival in Lake Charles, Festival International in Lafayette, the Swamp Pop Festival in Gonzales, the Louisiana Gumbo Festival in Thibodaux, the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival in Morgan City, Downtown on the Bayou Fest in Houma, the Angola Prison Rodeo & Arts and Crafts Festival in Angola, and of course the Essence Music Festival, the Mensaje Spanish Festival, French Quarter Festival, and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans make up just a fraction of those that happen in our area throughout the year. Traditionally May and October tend to have the most festivals. Summer is too hot; winter is too cold, etc. October hits you coming and going on the Gulf with the Mobile Bayfest in Alabama and with the Gretna Heritage Festival happening at the beginning of the month and the Voodoo Experience closing out the month with a bang. For those of us that have had any type of musical event “ruined” for us because we can no longer just enjoy such an event for what it is because of the curiosity and need to know of all the what’s and how’s that go into the whole production, many questions remain unanswered. What does it take to put on such an event of this magnitude? How does one get involved in putting on these festivals? And for a lot of us, how the hell do I get my band to play???? Well, here I am to ask these questions of one of the most successful when it comes to throwing the biggest party of the year - one of the proverbial “men behind the curtain” when it comes to the Voodoo Experience; Sig, Director of Marketing and Partnerships and Interviews from Rehage Entertainment.

So how long have you been with Rehage?I think almost 4 years now.

How did you first get involved with Rehage and the Voodoo Experience?I used to do the morning show and was the program director at 106.7 The End in New Orleans and when Voodoo started they put it right on top of End Fest which was our fall festival and, you know… I was not so happy about that. The second year we actually partnered with Voodoo and we moved End Fest into the summer. We kind of decided if we were going to spend all this money on this big festival and bring in these big acts, we were going to run with it. So we started doing some stuff over at the station and Stephen Rehage and I became professional and personal friends, and with each year I did more and more - bringing in more radio stations from around the country and just took a role in marketing and helped him with some of the stuff as far as with some label relationships I had. We just work really well together. So we’d always joke about me working with him and the storm came, The End went away, we became a country station (I got really tired of playing Toby Keith) and he and I were joking again and we just kind of both looked at each other and said “Let’s stop joking about it.” So in Jan 2007, I left radio (which I had been doing for almost 20 years) and started doing marketing and partnerships for Steve on Voodoo.How would you describe the Voodoo Experience?If we do our job well, it is a mind blowing, unique event unlike any other music festival, in a city that’s like no other city, at the perfect time of year… and hopefully its one of those things where when you walk through the gates you’re like a kid in a candy shop. That everything that you could possibly want is there from all the different genres of music to all the little nooks and crannies of art, activities, and gaming, to the fall weather and the trees…. If we really do our job well, you come in to see one band but get turned on to three bands you’ve never heard before and become super fans.

So besides money, what does it take to put on an event of this magnitude?More money. That’s what it takes. You know, that’s a really good question. The first thing it takes is a group of really passionate people. We’re a small company. We’re literally five people who are extremely passionate about what we do. You have to have that… it takes dedication, passion, organization, and vision and if you have all those things and you are willing to put down a lot of money and take a sizable amount of risk and evolve with the years, you can do this.

by Chris Recinos, Staff Writer, Editor

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What’s the easiest part of the whole production? The leading up to the event, the during, or the after?That is a really tough question. You know the movie… I think it’s the third Matrix where Neo and the chick are in the pod and they go crashing through the sky? All kinds of chaos – it’s dark and awful and he’s blind and they go through the sky and then all of sudden it’s sunny and beautiful? There’s a point on Saturday afternoon in the middle of the second day that is that moment – where you finally get to enjoy it. Where you are just saying, “This is beautiful.” Friday is chaos… but that’s the moment on Saturday. Whether you’re sitting on a stage or watching something happen you’ve seen on paper a hundred times but actually experiencing it. To me that moment in that movie sums up how it feels when that happens. Its somewhere in between… leading up is too crazy, breaking down is too crazy, somewhere in the middle of it there is a moment… that beautiful moment.

Is there a certain method you all use to go about picking the entertainment for Voodoo?With the music, the first thing is we want it to be unlike any other music festival and when people look at the line up we want them to say, “What are they thinking? Why aren’t they doing what everyone else is doing?” That’s exactly what we want… we do not want to do what everyone else is doing. The fact that we have Drake and Ozzy playing on Saturday… you know, that’s not the average line up. Last year we had Eminem and KISS… we don’t want to be doing the things you can see at every other music festival. We don’t want to buy that touring package. Not to say that occasionally there’s not a band you want that’s touring with two other bands that make sense to the festival, we’ll do it, but we seldom buy that headliner package, that cookie cutter show, that’s going to 40 different cities – we won’t buy that package. We don’t want to do what you could see if you lived in Ohio. We want you to have to come to New Orleans. Experience Voodoo. Experience New Orleans. Experience Halloween. And again, it’s about having an experience that is completely different that what you normally get. So for the bands, we create a draft board… we put them up on a wall… its starts off with a lot of bands…. that’s our wish list. Then we start pecking away at it. Who’s touring, who’s available, who costs too much money, and hopefully we come away with something that’s really unique, that we’re all passionate about, and that we think that other people will come in and get off on.

You all tend to recruit some incredible people to help in gathering some of the aspects of the entertainment… In picking the music and picking the vibe, we’ve partnered with some people to help us create really awesome pockets of entertainment. With all the stuff we’re doing in the dance area this year we’re bringing back a guy whose name is pretty legendary and who had an incredible run in New Orleans; a guy by the name of Disco Donny. He’s helped us book the electronic area. We’re working directly with Ben Jaffe of Preservation Hall to book and create the vibe of the Preservation Hall area. And we’re working with the guys from the New Orleans Bingo! Show to produce the Carnival area, which includes the Bingo! Stage. So we’re working with people that we believe in and that we feel share a similar sense of what’s the best of the best in New Orleans for their respective fields.

Here is the question of the year for most of our readers… those being mostly musicians. How do you get your band to play Voodoo?Whether we’ve seen them personally or someone says, “Hey you really ought to check out this band,” it works in various ways. Big Rock Candy Mountain for example is playing Voodoo this year. They’re a great band. I found out about them about a year ago randomly on Twitter. I listened to them and I really liked them. So I just asked the internal question, and we put them on the line up. There is no one method to the madness, but it never hurts to send something to the office… just throwing that out there. We don’t have 12 spots for locals and indie bands. We have whatever feels right and we fill the line up with want we want to hear.

How long after Monday morning…. after the Voodoo hangover do you start working on next year’s fest?You know, in some ways we’re already working on the next one. It’s definitely a constant cycle where there were bands that were on our radar for this year that weren’t touring or available that we’ve already kind of earmarked for next year. Sponsors are doing their budgets for 2011 right now so we’re presenting for next year right now. We’re working on artist relations… we’re already talking to artists about creating specific stuff for next year since they’re from around the globe and can’t get here for this year, so it’s kind of a ongoing never-ending process. It would be great if we could say “Hey let’s get back together in two weeks and start” but it never ends.

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by Heidi Ohmer, Staff Writer

10/08 – Gogol BordelloThe Republic – New Orleans, LAGypsy Punk. Gypsy Punk? Yes, Gypsy Punk. These New York natives are best known for their stage theatrics and electric performances all the while touring relentlessly. After sharing the stage with many bands such as Primus, Flogging Molly, and Cake, G.B. has established themselves as a powerhouse in the more alternative circuit with their eclectic style and musical-ity incorporating instruments such as the accordion, violin, and saxophone in their arsenal. Keep an eye out for their costume changes and just sit back and enjoy the show. Outernational opens. Tickets are $25, $28 at the door.

10/16 – Southern Whiskey RebellionThe City Club of Houma – Houma, LAWhat goes better together than Southern Metal and whiskey? Hailing from just Southeast of New Orleans, these 5 masters of drunken sludge riffs have become a staple in the Southern Metal scene and beyond over their ten plus years. After sup-porting many names in the scene such as Goatwhore, Soilent Green, Crowbar, and Bleed The Sky, SWR has been able to build a following loyal as those to the whiskey that they imbibe at their shows. No Room for Saints and Cyanide Smile open. Tickets are $7

10/21 – Jonny LangHouse of Blues – New Orleans, LAThe U.S. Development Group is putting on a benefit for St. Bernard Project and military families with entertainment being provided by Jonny Lang, a regular on the HOB NOLA stage. Signed at 15 to A&M Records, Lang burst onto the scene with his 40 year old voice, taking any that listened to rock, blues, or even gospel by their ear and gave them no choice but to listen. After winning a Grammy and putting out hits like “Lie to Me” Lang continues to sell out venues with fans everywhere look-ing forward to hearing his voice and phenomenal guitar work. Tickets are $35

10/24 – Bone Thugs-n-HarmonyHouse of Blues – New Orleans, LAKrayzie Bone, Wish Bone, Flesh-n-Bone, Layzie Bone, and Bizzy Bone. With names like that, how could you not want to see what this group was about without even listening to them? This Cleveland hip-hop group became known for their hypnotic flow more than anything else. Rapid-fire and aggressive lyrics inter-mingled with dark melodies gave this group a sound so much their own that Eazy-E of N.W.A. fame had to sign them to his label back in 1994. Bone Thugs will be performing songs from the classic album E. 1999 Eternal plus all the hits including “1st of tha Month” and “Tha Crossroads” which won them a Grammy in 1997. Tickets are $28.50

10/25 – Valient ThorrOne Eye’s Jacks – New OrleansReferred to as “Viking Rockers from Space” in one publication, these bearded busters have made their mark by playing the Vans Warped Tour on several occasions and with their epic live shows. “Our live show is where it’s at,” Valient Himself explains, “no one can deny that. We play all over the world, with kids singin’ our songs, and they don’t even speak English! It makes you realize how small the Earth has become through the inter-net.” It’s one of those shows that you can’t ignore. They are the kind of characters you can’t ignore, and you can’t help but think once in the while that they truly have visited our world to save rock-n-roll. Caltrop and Black Primer open. Tickets are $12.

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10 Years - “Feeding The Wolves” Record Label: Universal Republic Music Reviewed by: Heidi Ohmer

If any band is known for being consistent of producing copacetic music, it would certainly be 10 Years. Unlike many bands in the market, 10 Years have successfully stayed with the same formula since their first album, and many will argue they are afraid to hop out of that comfort zone: I have to disagree.

These Tennessee natives have managed to take music that captivates the radio waves and combined it with creative writing with their 2010’s release of Feeding the Wolves. This album is quite heavier and certainly darker as if it were written by someone who faces a life sentence for committing a crime they did not commit. The album starts off with the highly aggressive “Shoot It Out”. This single begins with vocalist Jessie’s hushed, almost sexy whisper that grows with intensity as the song continues on. “Shoot it Out” brings a perfect balance of in your face guitar riffs and calming moments that finally allow the listener to breathe once again. Radio friendly “Waking up the Ghost” blends in with the rest of the album flawlessly. The song begins like a typical 10 Years track with an attempt of being heavy, yet it will lure in whoever is listening due to the catchy guitar riffs and hooking melodies. There are some moments in this song that may sound like a conformed bands typical track, which is true, but there is a certain hint of strings that prove to be a tasteful touch. I personally think the albums best song is “Fade Into (The Ocean)”. It begins with an alluring and drawn out guitar riff that eventually is joined by Jessie’s unique voice (which can be described as a combination of Maynard James Keenan and Peter Loeffler throughout the album). The song is a fusion of every audible color that ranges from a drop kick to the face from Chuck Norris to a hug from your mother. There are parts of this song that are the heaviest in 10 Years history, which is a perfect way to help conclude the album. Feeding the Wolves cannot be called the bands best album to date, but it is relatively close because they found a way to take the 10 Years sound that fans love and sprinkled a little darkness upon it. This was an excellent way to please the original fans while captivating others enough to pull them into the fan base of a great band.

SouthDown - “Chronicle of Hunter Greene” Record Label: Silverstone Records Reviewed by: Heidi Ohmer

Most people that come from a small town find a sense of security when they hear a familiar voice or music they can all relate to. SouthDown is locally known for relaying an inspiring message while delivering driving and adhesive melodies. “The Chronicles of Hunter Greene” has been written to display to fans the ambition of clinging on to life and that it is possible to breathe again after chaos.

The album begins with the appropriately titled song Adrenaline Rush. This guitar driven track is reminiscent of many power-house bands that have been showcased in the past couple of decades by sports channels during highlight clip montages. Fol-lowing the opening track, the single Angel (Not a Human Being) reminds everyone that there is a way to overcome hardships. This illuminating song veers emotions on a roller coaster ride: the journey begins with soothing keys that connects perfectly with the powerful vocals. The excursion continues with the abrupt chorus which ascends into a climaxing conclusion. The culmination features help from a choir which adds yet another element that tugs at heartstrings. On an entirely different note, SouthDown includes hip-hop artist, Co-Ruff, on the track Beast Inside. The song begins with upbeat keys setting a high energy mood. Suddenly, the rest of the band is added to create an overwhelming amount of intensity. Co-Ruff definitely adds his own twist to bring the song to a whole new level. Turning things down a bit, Mother’s Day compels an entirely different vibe. The entire track features vocalist Hunter and an enticing acoustic guitar. The unspeakable melodies cause emotion to flow directly to whoever is listening. A familiar voice, highlighting moments, an inspiring message: “The Chronicles of Hunter Greene”

Co-Ruff Throws Hurricane Party During the weekend of Katrina’s 5th anniversary, Co-Ruff decided to pay homage to the event by calling up all of his friends and throwing a party…. And you knew who was on the guest list when they walked on stage.

Before the actual show even began, those in attendance were encouraged to move by DJ Cooyon spinning dance and hip-hop hits until the first performer even hit the stage; that being Cupid. To be honest, I’m sure the majority of the crowd was only familiar with Cupid’s smash hit, “Cupid Shuffle”, but the performance put on by the Billboard Hot 100 artist made everyone well aware that he wasn’t just a one hit wonder. After everyone was done “shuffling” themselves into a frenzy at the end of Cupid’s set, Co-Ruff joined him on stage to start his own set with the single “Hurricane” featuring Cupid, as well. And when you didn’t think the show could get more electric, the fashion show started… during the song. Models from Victoria’s Indigo Boutique took the stage (and most of the eyes of the crowd) and sashayed their way down the catwalk during the hypnotic beats of Co-Ruff’s sure to be hit single. Co-Ruff continued his set afterwards entertaining everyone with favorites like “Get it On” and “Big Body Chevy” where the entire crowd participated and turned the City Club into, what it seems, a well choreographed music video. With additional special guests like Grammy Award winner Fernando “Nando” Domínguez III (formerly of Los Super Reyes) performing a cover of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” meshed in with his own material, and the band SouthDown, who had just finished selling out the City Club twice in one week’s time, joining Co to perform their song “Beast Inside” with the Indigo models on stage again, the show ended the way all shows should – with the crowd wanting more.

Show REVIEW

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Rosanna

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