1. Growing Up
The first tune I ever taught myself was the James Bond theme. Later, as a young boy, I would hold my ’80s stereo up to the TV speaker and record music from films I liked onto a cassette. I didn’t care if there was dialogue over the top.
2. Inspirations
Prince is a huge influence on me. I remember the first time I saw the Cream video, aged 12. Bam. It was all over. Harry Connick was a pianist I immediately gravitated toward, as was Thelonious Monk.
3. Your Band
The Bayou Tapestry project is made up of friends with whom I’ve played for many years. They really get the voodoo swampfunk vibe of the material, and they can all melt faces when necessary.
4. The Music You Make
I’ve been putting my own stamp on the New Orleans funk sound for about five years now, and Dr John would be the starting point, as he basically brought the Gris Gris concept to the mainstream in the ’60s. It’s impossible to name check everyone, but I’s say Jon Cleary is another big influence.
5. Music, Right Here, Right Now
There’s a huge surge in the popularity of New Orleans bands lately, with groups like Lagerphones, Horns of Leroy and Sugarfoot Ramblers carrying the flame. We’re more on the funk side of things and there are a lot of great acts doing that right now with a very contemporary vibe, like Hiatus Kaiyote or Papa G and the Starcats.
ADAM RUDEGEAIR’S BAYOU TAPESTRY will perform on Friday November 20 at the New Orleans Street Party as part of Melbourne Music Week. It all goes down from 4.30pm on Dodds Street, Southbank.
