SPOTLIGHT: The Chilluns

New Orleans has long had a tradition of musical families, the Nevilles and the Marsalis being the prime examples.  But a band I caught at last year's Jazz Fest follows that legacy.  Honestly I thought the band was more or less a one time chance for some musical family members to get together and play some great tunes, but here we are almost a year later and the group is playing Tipitina's this Friday night.  All the members have day jobs, so to speak, in other musical acts, but it's nice to see them continuing on in this form.

                                                                              The group is called The Chilluns and its members come from three New Orleans' musical families, from both generations.  The groups consists of the musical Fathers and their musical offspring.  The Fathers are Dave Malone, Spencer Bohren and Cranston Clements.  The offspring are Johnny Malone, DarcyMalone, Andre Bohren and Annie Clements.

Dave Malone is a founding member of one of New Orlean's best loved bands, The Radiators.  As a group they have recorded over a dozen albums and tour constantly.

Spencer Bohren has recorded over a dozen albums under his own name and many more with other artists.  He has performed on A Paririe Home Companion and teaches.

Cranston Clements is another long time guitarist that has played with many other musicians such as Maria Muldar and Irma Thomas.                                                                 

Even though all the 'kids' sing in the group, Johnny Malone is more of the front man and handles the majority of the singing chores, sharing them with his sister Darcy and handing off some songs to Annie Clements.

Darcy sings in a local band called The Tangles with her husband.  She has sung with the Radiators, The Pfister Sisters, Theresa Andersson and others.

Andre Bohren is the drummer in the group, which he also does for the group Johnny Sketch and the Dirty 

Notes.

The final member of the band is Annie Clements.  Currently Annie is a member of the country group Sugarland and tours with them.

The group does mostly covers of British invasion hits and songs from Motown, but throws in some songs from the various members.

This is a group that the members come together for the fun and joy of it and the audience can tell.  Where they go with it from here, if they even want to do more than just get together irregularly and play is up to them.  With this much talent in one group they could produce some really amazing music on their own if they wanted to.

SIMPLY SIX: Annie Clements

Annie Clements is from New Orleans and the daughter of noted blues guitarist Cranston Clements. She began playing bass at 13 and is currently the bassist and background vocalist for the country group Sugarland.

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?

I was always involved in something musical ever since I was a small child. Having Cranston Clements for a dad will pretty much guarantee that. If I had to pick a particular moment though, I'd say it was in 5th grade. I was cast as the lead in the school play and sang a solo piece in front of the entire lower school. I made my teacher cry! It was the first moment where I felt like, "I can do this. This is what I want to do."

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?

All time favorites include The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, The Beachboys, The Continental Drifters and Aimee Mann. I'm currently really into the new Racconteurs record, the new Kings of Leon, and this crazy band called Black Joe Lewis and the Honey Bears. They're awesome!

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

I've been fortunate enough to have a few of these. Theresa Andersson and I got to play the 50th Anniversary of the Fender Stratocaster at Wembley arena alongside David Gilmour, Brian May, Ron Wood, Joe Walsh and other legends. We got to spend a week rehearsing on a soundstage in London with them, hanging out. Standing onstage for the finale with those guys was one of the defining moments of my life. Another was the first time my band with my dad - The Chillun's - pulled off "Good Vibrations" at Tipitina's in 2004. It was one of the most triumphant musical moments of my life.

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

I think music can dramatically effect change. I recently posted a video on my youtube channel and Warner Brothers muted the sound because I'd used a 20 second clip from En Vogue's "Never Gonna Get It" and they claimed copyright infringement. The video was completely lifeless without the music. Once the music was added back in, the video made people laugh and cheer. I think that microcosm of an example works one hundred fold in the larger scheme of things. When presidents are elected it seems like the first thing they do is plan a huge concert. People want to come together and celebrate their victory with good music.

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

The music industry has been turned upside down by technology. Sugarland may be one of the last bands out there that can still make money selling cd's. Labels are having to re-work their entire infrastructure and most of them are going down. It's a crazy time, but at the same time there's so much more opportunity for anyone and everyone to be heard. It's scary but it's exciting. Technology affects my life every day. You contacted me here on a social networking page. How on earth would we have gotten in touch before all of this? I've made so many connections with people as a result of all this new media stuff. I can even sing background vocals on someone's project, post the files online, and be a part of a record for someone I've never even met. Plus I'm totally addicted to Twitter now which is so much fun.

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

Hmm... Shoes... I'd probably be like a pair of Doc Martin's or something. I'll bet Susan Cowsill answered that too. Or maybe she said moccasins? Those were the only two shoes I ever saw her in all the years I nannied for her. Mostly she was barefoot. I'll have to check her answers! Yeah, Doc Martin's. Sort of rebellious, a little goth, waterproof. Sounds like me!

photo copyright by Annie Clements