3 minute read
Northshore Soundtrack
There’s a Place for Everyone to Find their Groove.
BY ROBERTA CARROW JACKSON
THE NORTHSHORE IS A GREAT place for fans of live music, with a diverse and vibrant music scene of up-and-coming local acts, established musicians and touring acts performing at a variety of venues—from shady riverside stages, cool nightclubs and cozy coffeehouses to auditoria with stateof-the-art sound systems. Whether you prefer dancing with the crowds at a food-and-music festival, a family-friendly, free concert amid a bustling downtown or a transcendent listening room experience at an historic venue, we’ve got you covered.
Artists perform a variety of genres, too, owing to the varied populations in and around St. Tammany Parish, especially New Orleans, with its world-renowned music scene. Cross-pollination among musicians around southeast Louisiana and across the Deep South dates from the birth of jazz, when early greats like Buddy Bolden and Louis Armstrong played the Dew Drop Jazz Hall (his mother lived just around the corner). That continues to this day, as numerous musicians sit in with bands beside their own, bringing their influences to the table, crafting something new before an eager audience and carrying that experience with them to their next show. The result: a diversity of sound to satisfy listeners of rhythm and blues, funk, Americana, indie rock, traditional jazz, bluegrass, pop country, folk, metal, hip-hop and more.
When coming to St. Tammany via the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, a 24-mile jaunt, it’s good to have a soundtrack to accompany your trip across the world’s longest continuous bridge over open water. So, we’ve put together playlists for your ride. Our mixes feature recording artists who have lived and performed on The Northshore, from internationally renowned artists to up-and-coming storytellers who include our venues on their national and regional tours.
We kick off this themed road trip with The Deslondes’ blend of twangy, ‘50s-style rock ‘n roll, followed by a track from the band’s drummer, Sam Doores, from his self-titled debut. You’ll hear songs by local rising stars Paul Childers and Kristin Diable alongside a timeless local hit by Jon Cleary, whom Bonnie Raitt called “the 8th wonder of the world”. Blues icon Tab Benoit trades licks with Brian Stoltz of The Meters, Joe Bonamassa lends his ax to Marc Broussard’s anthemic blues song, Marc “Johnny Sketch” Paradis and his funky Dirty Notes will have you dancing in your seat, and a sultry Serabee paints a joyful portrait of Christmastime in Louisiana. We wrap with a lovely piano piece by John Autin backed by two of New Orleans’ most in-demand artists, perfect accompaniment for coasting under the swaying Spanish moss of Mandeville’s live oaks.
24-MILE PLAYLIST: CAUSEWAY TO THE NORTHSHORE
“Less Honkin’ More Tonkin’” from The Deslondes by The Deslondes (2015)
“Other Side Of Town” from Sam Doores by Sam Doores feat. Alynda Segarra (2020)
“Driving In Your Car” from Create Your Own Mythology by Kristin Diable (2016)
“When You Get Back” Debut by Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen (2002)
“Take It All In” from The Green Chapter EP by Paul Childers (2020)
“Break Me” from 2,000 Days by Johnny Sketch and The Dirty Notes (2013)
“Baby Blue” from The Sea Saint Sessions by Tab Benoit feat. Brian Stoltz (2003)
“Driving Wheel” from S.O.S. 4: Blues For Your Soul by Marc Broussard feat. Joe Bonamassa (2023)
“Bayou Christmas” from Bayou Christmas (Single) by Serabee (2023)
“Poinciana” from Piano Town by John Autin feat. Herlin Riley and Roland Guerin (2011)
