Author Archives: Ariane Trahan

TVD Contributor Ariane Trahan is the founder of Easy Apple, an artist development company that helps build connections for musicians between New Orleans (the Easy) and New York City (the Apple).

King Rey is rock/psychedelic/disco churned up in the Mississippi and washed up on the muddy banks of New Orleans. We are as good as drugs. Do yourself a favor.
—King Rey’s Twitter description

Another boastful portrayal from a textbook rock band… or the foretelling of a dramatic splash onto the local music scene?

So far I’ve had a hard time figuring out this 5-piece motley crew. Fast becoming known for their beach-infused melodies and easy going live shows, they leave new listeners with the taste of the unknown between their teeth. A simple Google search depicts two versions of King Rey: one fronted by Matthew Cloutier (the current drummer), and a second lead by Kyle Riche (the former bassist). You can still hear songs from both arrangements online, so just who does King Rey think they are?

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TVD Contributor Ariane Trahan is the founder of Easy Apple, an artist development company that bridges the gap for musicians between New York City and New Orleans. She recently spoke with two members of Royal Teeth and discussed the band’s career arc and future plans.

What creates a good story? In my line of work I like to have my ears at attention when I am dealing with musicians. A lot of times they don’t even know they have a story to tell. Sometimes they’re convinced they do but prove weak at sharing it. Partly from Lafayette, partly from New Orleans, Royal Teeth is a band that is still writing the first chapter of their lighthearted fun-filled narrative. I stepped in last Saturday to talk with Gary Larsen (vox/guitar) and Josh Hefner (percussion) about how this impressive sextet has begun work on their version of Happily Ever After.

It’s 5pm on a Saturday afternoon and I am nursing an Abita Satsuma on Bayou Beer Garden’s back patio. I’m scribbling some last minute notes for my interview when I catch Larsen and Hefner timidly trotting up the wooden walkway that connects the bar to the garden. I wave them over, we do the standard salutations and handshakes, and after a few minutes of settling in and explaining my approach to the discussion, Larsen takes it from the top:

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Here’s the second installment from our new contributor Ariane Trahan, founder of Easy Apple, which bridges the gap between New York City and New Orleans, creating a helpful connection for musicians between the Big Easy and the Big Apple.

I was really anticipating finally seeing the much-whispered-about Sun Hotel. The Foburg guys are fans, my intern is in love with them, and all I had heard was a teaser single from their forthcoming EP Gifts. “Alchemy” had me at hello and thankfully Sun Hotel had a show on a Sunday night when I was available. Well technically I had a date, but aren’t loud music venues the most appropriate and intimate settings for getting to know someone new? Fortunately for me, my companion agreed.

One Eyed Jack’s played host to a nearly perfect bill – Caddywhompus, Twin Killers, Zorch and Sun Hotel. This was a sort of homecoming for these bands, having played the past three nights together in Lafayette, Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Sun Hotel’s Tyler Scurlock came off like a beaming little kid as he told me, “Tonight is like leaving summer camp for us!” He explained the group’s habit of using New Orleans as the kickoff to their treks on the road, “We’re normally either too excited, anxious, or dead when we play here.”

Returning home for the finale this time around called for a great performance from confident, decompressed musicians – and that spirit was reflected on stage when the boys hit the first notes of “Palms.” They killed it with those four-part harmonies intermingled with Brooklyn-esque vocals and high-hat-heavy drumming. I’m a sucker for bands who give you just a taste of shoegaze without calling the genre their home. I think a great pairing for this band is New Jersey’s Holler, Wild Rose! Do yourself a favor and listen to these bands while you’re smoked out on your living room floor. You’re welcome.

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Ariane Trahan is a music publicist, radio promoter, manager, and event curator, but most importantly, a music consumer. She has lived in New York City, Memphis, Las Vegas, and New Orleans and seen a slew of bands in the last ten years. She runs Easy Apple- an artist development company in New Orleans. This is her first piece for TVD. She is on the right in the photo with Christian (left) & Tony of Secret Society In Smaller Lies, and a random concert attendee.—Ed.

(photo-Gary LoVerde)

It’s always an interesting night when you’re double dipping shows. Venue-hopping to catch two bands, hoping you get the timing right and don’t miss any of the action. Tonight? My show hopping was seamless.

When a friend introduced me to Houma-based Secret Society In Smaller Lies, I admit I had had a couple of drinks, but the video for “Little White Horse” caught my ears off guard. Here was a band in the middle of nowhere, with almost no online presence, and a roughly two-minute video done in a single take in someone’s dingy living room. A little bit punk. A little bit experimental. A lot of mystery surrounding such an epic band name.

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