 On July 27, 2018 Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter/guitar player/multi-instrumentalist YVETTE LANDRY will release her latest project, LOUISIANA LOVIN', a collaboration with RODDIE ROMERO. "My idea was that when you listened to the CD, it would bring you back to a time where dance halls and Juke Joints in Louisiana were the place to be. And after putting in a hard day’s work, one could forget all of their troubles and dance the night away…Once we laid down the tracks, I decided to give this new collaboration a name. Rather than just releasing the album as ‘Yvette Landry,”’ I felt this group was special. They had an old school feel… Louisiana Swamp Pop at it’s finest. I decided on, ‘The Jukes.’ “ In advance of the release, Landry kindly took the time to answer her Essential 8 where she spoke about the album, musical mentors, favorite venues, and more. Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you? Wow…that’s a loaded question! I come from a musical family. As a matter of fact, I can go back seven generations on my father’s, mother’s side of the family and find musicians there. My father sang, and aunt was a music teacher and plays piano. My grandmother played banjo and guitar and the rest of her 11 brothers and sisters all either sang or played instruments. My father’s dad played drums and his 12 brothers and sisters also played. Each family had a “family band.” Their style of music was more “Dixieland.” At some point in the 1920’s or 1930’s the two bands combined to form the “Bill Landry Orchestra.” Although I never got to see them play in person, I was able to listen to a few of my great-uncles when they came to visit. They’d sit at the piano and pound out tunes and sing. Also, family reunions were filled with music. I was also able to get my hands on a recording that they made in the 1960’s. Although my style of music is nothing like what they were playing during their heyday, I do feel their influence when I play. From what I remember hearing in person, on the recording, and talking to people who remember them playing, their music was real. It was organic, soulful, emotional, danceable and fun. I’m pretty sure that it is their early influence that set the tone for what I would later be playing, writing and recording. With any particular song, was there an “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect? As a matter of fact, yes, there was a moment. We went in to record, Daddy, Daddy. The band did not have a rehearsal prior to the session – nor had we all played together. So we sort of played around with the tune to find the groove that I was looking for. After a just a few minutes, we said, “let’s give it a try.” I told everyone that I’d just do scratch vocals to keep them on track—especially since I’d never really sung that type of song before. After we recorded the song, that first take, we all knew that that was the one. We used the first take and the scratch vocals. AND, it was the second track that we laid down. That pretty much set the tone for the rest of the record. Homesick Blues was another “a-ha” moment, but I’ll save that story for later! Is there a story behind your album’s title? I started writing songs at the end of 2008. My Dad, Lindsey Landry, had cancer at the time, and I’d write songs and perform them for him. He’d always tell me I needed to record the songs and I’d always tell him, “No Way! I don’t have a clue what I’m doing!” He died in the Fall of 2009 and I knew I needed to record my songs. This particular album is songs that I knew he loved. He loved Louisiana Swamp Pop music. So when I started to think of album titles, I thought, Louisiana Lovin’. I also liked the fact that the album initials were “L.L.” which was our nickname for my Dad. What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician?
Although I have three previous albums with original tunes on them, this particular album focuses more on other Louisiana writers. The best advice I received, however, came from a Louisiana songwriter. His advice holds true, not only for writing, but also for performing and pretty much in every aspect of this business. His advice was simple, but prolific. He simply said, “Writing is easy. Just pay attention.” Those words have not only helped me with ideas for songs, but has taught me to listen, observe, assess, and then choose the best course to continue. What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out? Well… “Just pay attention.” But I’d also add, “Just say yes.” Doors will open if you do. What are your “must have” albums for the road? Anything from Darrell Scott! Also on the list is The Red Stick Ramblers and Roddie Romero & the Hub City All Stars. What has been your biggest success? Success can be measured in a number of ways. But for me, success is being able to pass down music and stories from my culture. What’s your favorite venue and why? I’ve had the opportunity to play worldwide, in some pretty amazing venues. And one might think this is a crazy answer, but every Thursday night that I’m in town, for the last 8 years, I play a gig at a little restaurant in my hometown of Breaux Bridge, LA – Buck & Johnny’s. And every Thursday, for 8 years, the place is packed with hometown folk and fans from all over the world who come to visit. It’s good food, good music, good friends and a good time. It’s not big. It’s not fancy…but the people love what we do, and it keeps the sense of community alive and well in my little hometown. Website/Facebook
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