A hot guitar slinger, some hype from Ariane Trahan about a band I know nothing about, a big birthday party, and some killer jazz. Here’s where you’ll be.
Tonight, guitarist Will Bernard returns to New Orleans and he’s playing at one of my favorite clubs—the Maple Leaf Bar. Bernard has graced numerous stages in New Orleans, but many of his gigs seem to be during the peak of festival season when conflicts abound.
It’s Bernard’s first time playing at the legendary club and he’s bringing Wil Blades on keys and Simon Lott on drums. Lott is a familiar face ever since he first burst on the scene, but I have never seen Blades live. He is from Chicago and includes playing with blues legend John Lee Hooker on his resume. Enough said.
Yeasayer is also playing tonight, bringing their big show to the Republic. Here’s Ariane’s take:
“Call it Brooklyn PsychPop if you will, Yeasayer makes a loud splash with the indie nerds with their release of Fragrant World (Secretly Canadian). While I am still very much on the fence with the overall outcome of the new tracks, I must admit I have listened to this record more than a handful of times, and I think you should, too. “Devil and the Deed” is music’s unforgettable past, giving an awkward embrace to the future.
Also worthy of a sweaty dance scene is “Reagan’s Skeleton,” which is my personal pick. Is it a breakthrough in their career? I’ll let you decide. Hear some of the new record tonight when Yeasayer performs at Republic. Doors open at 8pm.”
Tomorrow night, one of my favorite bartenders is celebrating her birthday at her place of employ. Wendy’s Birthday Bash takes place at D.B.A. and it’s bound to be a wild night. The master of musical weirdness Quintron takes the stage with his puppeteer wife Miss Pussy Cat around 10 PM. Then things will get really strange when Clint Maedgen takes over at 1 AM.
Maedgen’s day job is singing and playing saxophone with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. But he also leads the New Orleans Bingo Show! and was the maestro behind Liquidrone—one of the more interesting bands of the last decade.
I have no idea what to expect from this set since he collaborates with so many different players. Suffice it to say that it will be interesting, very interesting.
If the wild, wooly, and weird are too much for your Saturday night, head to Snug Harbor to catch Herlin Riley. He is a true drummer’s drummer who always puts on an incredible show. He knows that jazz was originally dance music, so his music appeals to your body as much as your head. See you there!
