Traditional and Contemporary Cajun Music from South Louisiana

"We are a band defined by the music we play.  I want people to hear us on the radio and say, 'Hey, that's Acadien!"-Ryan Simon

 

!!!!NEW ALBUM RELEASE!!!!

Hold on to your hats folks!  Acadien Cajun Band is at it again!!  After six years from our previous release Rodailler, ACB has come together to put down some new and exciting tracks that is sure to leave a smile on your face and a song in your heart.  The new release, entitled Hello Vous! (Hello Y'all) brings together many of the band's favorites of the repertoire, as well a fresh cut of new originals to add to it.  From their favorite artists, including legends Shorty Leblanc, Alex Broussard, Robert Bertrand, and Cliff Lemaire, the albums reaches back to once again highlight the great dancehall sounds of the past to further the Cajun music of today's modern scene.  Two fiddles, steel guitars, pianos, etc. are all featured to give it that one of a kind ACB sound.  Be sure to get your copy or visit online to hear!

South Louisiana has forever been marked with a rich history of music from blues, rhthym and blues, soul, swamp pop, rock and roll, and, of course, cajun and zydeco music. Within the realm of cajun, creole, and zydeco music, there lies an emergence of contemporary yet traditional sound and style of the typical musician.  With additions such as electric guitars, slide guitars, twin fiddles, triple row accordions, etc. and along with the influences of the fore-mentioned genres, the music itself continues to grow in an ever-dynamic fashion.    

    In the spring of 2000, Acadien Cajun Band was created  to carry on the tradition .  Unlike the typical cajun and zydeco band, relying on standard sounds was not one of the band's primary objectives.  Ryan Simon, the band's founder and accordionist, states that "We are, and have always been for that matter, a band that relies on each other for our music and our sound.  We are fundamentally traditional in what we play, whether it be standard tunes or not, yet we aspire to be 'originally challenged'".  'Originally challenged' as Ryan puts it, is the ever-present aspect that defines the band.  Since the band first started playing venues and festivals, the underlying current has been originality.  The culmination of that can be seen on their latest release, 'Rodailler'.    

    In addition to their orginality, Acadien Cajun Band can also be most noted for their versatility.  "One thing we really love," says Ryan, "is our versatility.  Each of us are multi instrumentalists.  We are a band of musicians, and it all adds to help the music sound better." 

    Another measure the band takes in their approach to performing is the songs themselves.  Despite the original tunes the band plays, the majority of its repertoire is tradition music. Ryan states, "We sound the best when we learn from each other.  What really drives us is when we don't have to listen to records or cd's.  That's when we become original, even if it is with standard tunes."  "For example, we might play a traditional two fiddle two-step.   We might just play it accoustically if one of us thinks its sounds better."  "Each of us, moreover, is an encyclopedia of Cajun music in his own right.  We each have different influences that we teach the others, whether it be songs or styles that help contribute to our sound.      

Whatever the case, Acadien Cajun Band is  an aspiring young band, full of exuberance and a true love for what they do.  You will find them at jam sessions, clubs, dancehalls, recording studios and other venues through the music scene of south Louisiana carrying on what they were taught, teaching what they know, and loving every minute of it.