By Marcella Simien
Memphis's Qemist and Marcella Simien team up for one of the most beautiful singles I've heard this year on "Daytime Dreams." Simien's soulful vocals are the prime complement to Qemist's opulent production. The tune sounds how memories feel, creating a nostalgic atmosphere to an otherwise fresh take on drum & bass. — Arielle Lana LaJarde
By Marcella Simien
WYPL (89.3): Serving the Underserved, Dishing Out Memphis Magic
Though WEVL’s original 10 watts may have been rather weak, a station now using one of the region’s most powerful transmitters had even more humble beginnings. “We are now a 100,000-watt station, covering a 75-mile radius from the tower in West Memphis. That tower was actually donated to the library in 1997, and its power and size is a bit of overkill, but that’s the situation we’re in.” So reflects Tommy Warren, broadcast manager for WYPL, the station based in the basement of the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library.
Yet the station still retains its original mission of offering the vision-impaired and others readings of current newspapers, magazines, and books — one of only two such stations in the country. “It started out in 1978 as a ham radio kind of situation,” says Warren. “I am only the second radio manager here since then. Before me, there was a manager who was himself vision-impaired. He organized volunteers, and they’d sit in a little booth and read, and you had to have a ham radio at home to pick it up. It operated like that for about 15 years.”
When Warren came on board, he added an element to the readings by tapping into the huge digital archive of Memphis music in the library system. That has seen its audience increase dramatically, especially overseas, where the station can be heard online.
“We started doing all the music shows five or six years ago. Now we’re bringing in DJs like Randy Haspel and Lahna Deering and Barbara Blue. People who actually play Memphis music also come in here and produce shows.”
By Marcella Simien
Marcella Simien is a Memphis-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist hailing from Louisiana. The daughter of zydeco legend Terrance Simien, her music blends Memphis soul with New Orleans funk to create something altogether new. Although the ongoing pandemic has kept Marcella from her regular slate of live performances, we caught up with the swamp-soul queen to ask 5 questions about her influences, artistic process, and upcoming projects.
I guess because I was such a huge fan of his growing up, I’ll go with my Bob Dylan story. So I was about 15 and we were at Jazz Fest in New Orleans. My dad was friends with Dylan’s band leader Tony Garnier and also knew Kerry Boutte, who owns a Cajun restaurant called Mulate’s. Anyway, Kerry was hosting a dinner at his house for about 10 people or so, including bob Dylan, and invited my dad. I had brought one of my friends Tracy down with me, so dad wasn’t sure if we should come because there was a good chance there would be some illicit activities going on. Well, we figured we wouldn’t get invited, so unbeknownst to my parents, the two of us started drinking vodka by the pool at the hotel. As soon as we got a good buzz, dad called and told us to get dressed because we were coming to the dinner! I remember that this was around May, so it was hot as hell in New Orleans, and Dylan walks in with a pull-over sweatshirt, sweatpants, and a beanie. There was an immediate feeling that fell over me when he walked in the room…I was just overcome by his presence. Anyway, we sat down and ate dinner and he didn’t talk much, but afterwards I was able to introduce myself and shake his hand. I told him what a huge fan I was, although it was hard to articulate just how much his music really meant to me. This was the only time in my life that I ever felt starstruck and I had to go to the bathroom and just cry. It was honestly like meeting a supernatural being.
By Marcella Simien
AMERI’KANA is the beginning of an exploration into American music, past and present. Over four nights of live streamed music, conversation, and music education, experience the rich DNA within the American music story.
Psych-rockers Making Movies are producing the immersive musical experience as a fundraiser for Art As Mentorship, a music education non-profit established by Enrique Chi of Making Movies that empowers the next generation of American songwriters.
By Marcella Simien
Available for purchase on all digital platforms and in our shop. Thanks in advance for your support.
http://music.amazon.com/albums/B08GC42L1V
http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1528038005?ls=1&app=itunes
http://itunes.apple.com/album/id/1528038005
Liner Notes: 10 minute read.
Fact is, there are endless stories, many layers and deep meaning to all creative endeavors. Here’s a bit of our story in Five W’s + lagniappe (a lil extra). And fact is, we believe liner notes still matter.
Who: Terrance Simien’s Krewe De Monifique* super group boasts a line up of some of the most notable and accomplished artists in American roots music today! Krewe De Monifique is 23 artists. 21 people of color. 4 women. One of these women who is co-producing, also gave us the title of the album. Yes, we know there should def be more women and we promise to do better next time – no excuses. But trust us, these 4 are warriors; mighty and fierce! In this Krewe there are also 7 multiple GRAMMY award winning artists and producers. There are New Orleans brass band and jazz legends, zydeco OG’s and some of the baddest emerging artists all lending their extraordinary skills to these songs. And where there is music, there is love and where there is love, there is family – and we’ve got that fam thing goin on here too y’all! Terrance’s daughter, James’ cousins and nephews, and Keith’s siblings are all contributing to these ancestral grooves.
What: A first of its kind, explosive collaboration of zydeco and New Orleans brass band; the Black roots music of our African American and French speaking Louisiana Creole ancestors. Original songs and stellar covers that connect the Black and multicultural Creole culture, history and music heritage of of rural South Louisiana and New Orleans. Just an FYI, Terrance has had horns on tour and in his band for several years now, making this an even more natural collab.
Separately these genre’s are dynamic and define the cultural and musical identity of the South. However, we all know that together we are better, and together these Black roots genres are next level better!
When: It all began in January 2019 originally as a Terrance and Keith Frank (Zydeco Boss) collaboration. A few months later on April 24th we pivoted. That pivot happened backstage – at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation 50th Gala in NoLA where Terrance and James Andrews (AKA Satchmo of the Ghetto, 12 or Shorty’s big bro!) both performed. The seed was planted by James would fuse zydeco and brass band. Shortly after, hey all got to work. However, in the fall of 2019, we put things on hold after the sudden death of Terrance’s father in September and less than two months later the loss of his oldest sister. He took some time to contemplate and meditate, grieve and spend time with family. 2020 came in with much hope and a renewed excitement for the future, an outstanding tour schedule and this project. James had a book about him that came out this year as well every artist who worked on this album had full work schedules and dozens of exciting projects happening. In February, pre-COVID, the recording process began.
Then the whole world paused. When it seemed safe to emerge, but still under the most extraordinary circumstances of a global pandemic, the project was finally completed mid summer.
Where: Dockside Studio, Maurice, Louisiana; Race Street Studio (Leslie Smith’s place), New Orleans; Young Avenue Studio, Memphis, and additional studios in Chicago, Atlanta and at Raney Recording studio, deep down in Drasco, Arkansas! Recorded by Justin Tockett, Toby Vest and David Farrell and also mixed by Grammy award winning engineer, Farrell. Produced by Terrance Simien, Danny Williams, Dustin Cravins and Cynthia Simien.
Why: For the ancestors of course! Because we respect our past and understand our present and as we meet the moment of a global pandemic and a season of racial reconciliation the likes of which we’ve not seen since the Civil Rights movement, we felt compelled to reflect and give thanks for what we’ve got. As we continue advocate for real and sustained change, we don’t ever want to forget our ancestors for their invaluable contributions to the struggle; which was much greater than ours. Our musical ancestors struggled and sacrificed much for our progress. They were subjected to unthinkable discrimination and oppression, ignorance and hate. We are proud of the progress we’ve made in the US to advance gender and racial equality for BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color), but we know there is much more work to be done.
We also know that music inspires hope for a better world and our world is better because of the great men and women who came before us. We are here because of them. We are more enlightened and hopeful because of them, their message and their music.
And there’s one more reason why there is an Ancestral Grooves project – it’s because the energy and vibe these extraordinarily talented musicians brought from their own ancestors, and from their sweet souls into the studio – was just joyful and righteous, y’all!
The Cover Art of Ancestral Grooves.
Of course it’s all about the music! However, for us the visuals are also paramount. We are visual creatures, and before we even listen to a recording, we want to also be inspired by the visuals. So, as we approached this piece of the project, we did some soul searching. We knew we wanted an image that would show respect for the African American experience and struggle. And there it was – waiting for us in the Creative Commons, (When We Share, Everyone Wins ) via the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. The photo is titled “The Only Original University Singers of New Orleans” Circa 1877-1897. Photographer, Edward W. Bogardus, New York, NY. Finding the perfect image did not come without its own struggle. We literally reviewed 100 or more images and discovered how challenging it was to even find photographs of African Americans from the late 18 and early 1900’s. So, big thanks to Creative Commons!
Design by Andre Broussard with input on concept and design from Cynthia Simien. Andre’s work is greatly influenced by world famous artist/graphic designer, Milton Glaser. Thanks for the stunning cover, Andre.
The Magnificent Krewe:
James Andrews (AKA 12, Satchmo of the Ghetto or Troy’s big bro), Keith Frank (AKA The Zydeco Boss), Marcella Simien, Danny Williams (AKA D), Stan Chambers, Lance Ellis, Ian Molinaro – Thompson ( AKA Youngblood or Ian MT), Curtis Watson, Anne Harris, Brad Frank, Jose Alvarez, Roger Lewis (Dirty Dozen Brass Band ), Jennifer Frank Ledet, George Receli (Bob Dylan), Shelton Sonnier, Dexter Ardoin, Revon Andrews, Edward Jackson, Bernard Adams, Glen Finister Andrews (AKA Buddha) Glen Hall, Tyreek Andrews. A world of thanks to all of these remarkably talented artists, for their support of this challenging project and their generous spirits. Big love to Krewe!
By Marcella Simien
By Marcella Simien
https://www.facebook.com/events/331912024841186
This livestream supports our dear friends from the music advocacy organization at Music Export Memphis.
Please contribute to them here https://musicexportmemphis.org/
