Endorsement: Lost Bayou Ramblers – The Acadian band performs Friday at Mud and Water

When I lived in Lafayette, it was always a joy talking to Louis Michot, the front man of the Cajun-rock band Lost Bayou Ramblers.

As I arrived in 2011 to work for the daily newspaper there, the band was about to release its umpteenth and most popular album to date, Mammoth Waltz, an 11-track gem featuring guest spots from Dr. John, Scarlett Johansson, Nora Arnezeder and Gordon Gano.

Produced by Korey Richey (the man behind the boards on Givers’ In Light, who also worked on Arcade Fire’s latest Reflektor), Mammoth Waltz was my first foray into the deep pit of music from Louisiana’s historic Southwest area.

Though I am a cynic and proponent of all things loud, the disc remained lodged in my car stereo for months, and I return to Mammoth Waltz often. It’s loud, off-kilter, restless and full of anthems.

Like many Cajun bands before them, Lost Bayou Ramblers are a family affair. Andre Michot, Louis’ brother, plays the accordion and lap steel. The brothers logged time in the family band, Les Frčres Michot, where the true test was keeping time on a triangle. After mastering that percussive instrument, the brothers could then move on to another instrument.

Listening to Lost Bayou Ramblers’ latest tunes, you might think, “This is the farthest thing from Cajun music.” You’re not entirely wrong. However, Michot and the band spent time diving into the genre’s history. The band paid its dues, so to speak, and wants to cast the genre’s net farther.

I remember meeting Michot for an interview in downtown Lafayette. He guided the conversation, asking me if I knew anything about his family history or the history of Cajun music. He would name-drop tons of Cajun artists and traditional songs. Part of the conversation was probably in Cajun French. Had it not been for the coffee, I would have grown cross-eyed in a matter of minutes.

He had this childish grin as he spoke, expounding on that pure knowledge and love of where he came from and the band’s music.

It was a midday history lesson, more than I needed for my article, but it gave me perspective about the Acadiana area, which I was unfamiliar with at that time.

If you see Lost Bayou Ramblers Friday night at Mud and Water, you’ll see a well-seasoned group of musicians, tight as ever, jumping from song to song with ease, energy and fever.

If you don’t know anything about the band or its take on Cajun music, you’ll be surprised at how great they sound. If you know anything about these guys, it should come as no surprise.

Music was, is and continues to be life for the Michots and Lost Bayou Ramblers. There’s a reason they’ve been featured in The New York Times. There’s a reason they’ve been nominated for Grammys.
It’s because the band is that damn good.

Lost Bayou Ramblers will perform at Mud and Water (Map it!) Friday night with The Littlest Birds. Tickets are $8. Doors open at 9 p.m. For more information, click here.