The Boulevard Music Festival is back and, after a triumphant show by Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands last week, this Thursday, July 13, it’s the turn of Andre Thierry and Zydeco Magic. We spoke with Thierry about what we can expect from his set.
CULVER CITY NEWS: HAVE YOU EVER PERFORMED AT THIS EVENT BEFORE?
Andre Thierry: Not that I can recall. The promotor got in touch and said he had this on the table and wanted to get me down there.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?
It’s Creole music but I call it accordion soul music because I tend to play not just Creole music and Louisiana but I mix it in with a lot of modern stuff – blues, jazz and some old soul songs.
WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
I’m in the Bay Area. There used to be a Creole music scene here. There was a Creole and zydeco scene in the 1960s and then it kind of died out. I’m trying to keep it going.
DO YOU ENJOY PLAYING FESTIVALS, FOR PEOPLE WHO MIGHT NOT KNOW OF YOU OR YOUR MUSIC?
That’s where I have the most fun. It’s a culture shock for a lot of people, especially seeing an accordion being played and then to hear that it’s not the stereotypical polka or whatever. I get that all the time. People always say they’ve never heard an accordion sound like that. I get off on that – turning naysayers into believers.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE SET?
Just a lot of dancing. I tend to read the crowd and go from there. It’ll definitely be dance music, non-stop.
Andre Thierry and Zydeco Magic play Culver City’s Boulevard Music Summer Festival at City Hall on Thursday, July 13. Admission is free, although limited seats are available for $10. The show runs 7-9 p.m., as they do each week. Next week, on July 20, Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca will perform, and we’ll be speaking to Lemvo. Following weeks will see performances (and interviews right here) from The John Jorgenson Quintet, Led Zepagain, and Albert Lee. For more information, call Boulevard Music at 310-398-2583.
