Video Wednesday

Today we feature Mary Lasseigne at our favorite music store.

Simply Six: Ruby Rendgrag

Ruby Rendrag is a singer/songwriter from New Orleans.

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?

My defining moment as a musician was on my living room floor in 1997 (late bloomer). Although I started playing guitar when I was 9, it didn't occur to me that one could select being a musician as a career. Get a real job right? I didn't own a guitar at the time, but I heard a Dave Matthews song (back when I used to listen to the radio) and got the itch to try to learn it. "How the heck was he playing that??" It's what I used to do with Zeppelin when I was a kid, and it was a pain in the a** to move that needle to just the right spot on the record to learn a part! So, I bought a guitar, learned that DMB song, which sparked my own writing, and now I'll be working on my third album this year.

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

Right now, my favorite artist is Aimee Mann. Her lyrics blow me away as does the production on her latest album, "Smilers." The other disk that stays in my car is local New Orleans' indie rock singer/songwriter, Mary Lasseigne (or LaSang)'s, debut album "Mary Jane and the Brain Surgeon."

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

My greatest, or most memorable moment, was opening for Heart at the House of Blues. I'm hoping my next album will be equally as fulfilling.

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

I believe music speaks to people on a level beyond conversation. I think, mostly, people are looking for something that hits the bullseye of what they feel on that unspoken level. When they find it, they also tap into a longed-for connection. The same goes for any type of artistic expression. Can it change the world or does it affect current events? Possibly. The only thing I know for sure, is music has affected and changed me.

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

I'm not so sure technology has affected music as much as it appears. I'm not really sure. All I know, is the sea of music on the internet is the same as the sea of music that used to be in record stores. How do you stand out as an artist? Get in front of people and share your living energy as much as possible. The internet will never be able to replace the feeling of being at a live performance. We're all beings and need that in-person exchange. I feel the affect of convenience when it comes to my career. Finding out of town clubs to play is much easier! Still, and again, face to face meetings will always get more attention.

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

What kind of shoes would I be?? Black, cheap, old and comfortable, or depending on my mood; black, shiny, knee-high go go boots

BUY THIS ALBUM!

Ok, I can't give any better recommendation than the fact that I did buy this album, even though I'm supposed to be getting a free copy in the mail.  (You can still send it Mary, I bought it on ITunes and would still enjoy having a physical copy of the album.)  I've been excited about this album for awhile now, even before she decided to record it.

The album is Mary Lasseigne's Mary Jane and the Brian Surgeon.

I first became a fan of Mary Lasseigne when I saw her singing background for other acts.  She been around for awhile now, singing as part of a group or doing backups with such artists as Susan Cowsill or Paul Sanchez.  For a brief while she was a member of Cowboy Mouth.

This is pop music at its best.  Mary has a wonderful voice and her music is as good if not better than anything out there right now.  While the music bounces the lyrics deal with love lost, parents missed and memories of Katrina.

Till now she's been content to be in the background.  To be a member of a group.  I hope this won't be the only solo album we see from her.  Coming up soon will be our first full length Voices to hear interview and Mary Lasseigne will be our first interviewee.

French Quarter Fest: Susan Cowsill

After the show I was talking to Mary Lasseigne, who play guitar with Susan and is an accomplished singer/songwriter in her own right, and told her how much I enjoyed their performance and she said "We had a lot of fun on stage."  I don't think I could sum it up any better than that.

When you go to a Susan Cowsill show it's going to be fun.  No one has more fun than Susan on stage.  I love her stage banter, she'll start on one subject and veer off on a tangent and forget what she started talking about, only to remember it at the last moment and finish her thought.  Her enjoyment is contagious.

I've said it before and I'll continue to say it.  Susan is one of the best that we have.  Her songwriting is as good or better than just about any song out there right now.  Her singing is as good or better than just about anything on the radio right now.  For the life of me I can't understand why she isn't a bigger name.

She's got a new album coming out this month.  (She was selling advance copies at the show, but ran out by the time I got over there to buy one.  Drat!)  It's called Lighthouse and she did a few numbers from it.  Her opening number "Dragonflies"  was in memory of her brother Barry who died in Katrina.  It's a sweet song, with memories of the two of them as kids.  She followed that up with a song written by Barry that's become a staple of her live shows.  Than a song from her former band The Continental Drifters.  This woman has a treasure trove of songs to pick from

Another new song from her forthcoming album was "Oh Nola."  It was written not long after Katrina when Susan and her husband were planning on leaving the city and moving elsewhere.  I remember picking up an issue of Offbeat at the time with Susan on the cover and the headline hinting that she was moving and I can still feel the sadness I felt at that moment.  We've lost too many musicians since Katrina, moving away for newer and I hate to say better places, and I can't blame them.  When they can find a better home and a city that encourages and pays them better in their profession you can't lay blame, but it still is a sad thing when a city built on music can't support its musicians.  Even though I would have understood it would have broke my heart to see her leave.  I was so happy to read that they had decided to stay in the city.  "Oh Nola" was written as a lament to the city when she thought she was leaving.

Along the way we were also treated to a song from the talented Mary Lasseigne.  While Mary was playing she has a habit of staying towards the back and even when she sang her song she didn't come forward.  But as Mary played guitar on Susan's songs you could see she was having fun too, she would pogo up and down, her hair whipping around.  Mary sang her song "Rebecca Sunshine" that we featured as a Song of the Day recently.  Her new album Mary Jane and the Brain Surgeon comes out this coming week.

At the end Susan had to chose between songs left on her set list, she had talked too much to fit everything in.  She gave the choice to the audience.  When one of the songs was "Crescent City Snow" there wasn't much of a choice.  She ended with this song, written shortly after Katrina when Susan and family were exiled to Tenneesse, and an ode to life in the city.   Susan may not have been born in this city, but she has become one of its true daughters.

SONG OF THE DAY

Today's song is from Mary Lasseigne (who used to go by the name Mary LaSang) singing "Rebeca Sunshine."  This version was done from last year's New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival with Paul Sanchez and his Rolling Road Show.  After being parts of numerous bands over the years Mary is finally releasing a solo album this month called Mary Jane and the Brain Surgeon.  Mary is another local favorite and I am really excited about the fact of her new solo album and can't wait to hear it.  You'll hear more here the next few weeks.