Baton Rouge, the time has come to meet the local bands.
The city has a plethora of talented musicians that can be found getting their groove on in local bars and dives most nights of the week.
Matthew Sigur, University alumnus and lead vocalist, songwriter and guitarist for The Widowers, said his music is “loud” alternative rock.
“I don’t mind the big sounds,” he said. “My music is pretty rocking, and if people think it’s sexy, and it sounds like other bands, I’ll take it.”
The best part about the Baton Rouge music scene is the supportive musicians’ community, Sigur said.
“What I see now is a group of people who want to see each other succeed,” he said. “Gone are the days where I used to hear people rag on bands. The scene is growing, and everybody wants everybody to have a good show, make a good CD and be a part of it. I really like that.”
Sigur is enthusiastic about other local artists.
“England in 1819 — their songwriting is just impeccable,” he said. “It’s the closest thing Baton Rouge will ever get to Sigur Rós. When I saw them at The [Spanish] Moon, they had this one song that was just pummelling. It could bring a man to tears.”
Andrew Callaway, pianist, singer and songwriter for England in 1819, considers the band’s sound to be “chamber rock.”
“It was a term used in the ’80s,” he said. “A chamber ensemble in classical music just means ‘small group.’ It’s definitely indie rock with more of an emphasis on emotion and meaning.”
Callaway said some of the biggest artists of this generation helped mold England in 1819’s sound.
“I’m influenced by Radiohead, Coldplay, Muse, Keane and Ben Folds,” he said. “I think those are the bands that I was really into when I was first shaping a sound, and if I was going to design some type of sound for a rock band, those are the people that are doing the things I really want to be doing with my music.”
Callaway said he appreciates the size of the Baton Rouge music community.
“On one hand, it’s difficult because it’s hard to get big names out here and book big shows,” he said. “But on the other hand, for being in the music scene, it’s really nice in a way because everyone is able to keep up with each other, can catch every show and see how bands grow and change.”
James Hobgood, bassist for Onion Loaf, a band that blends funk, reggae and jam band style music to create its sound, said his band is trying to expose Baton Rouge to something other than rap music.
“I guess we’re just trying to expose people to raw, real music instead of something somebody made on a laptop,” he said.
It’s important that people in Baton Rouge open their minds to local musicians, Hobgood said.
“What’s better than having a band out of your town get huge? And it all starts with the fans from your city,” he said.
Jordan Earles, marketing junior and lead singer of alternative rock band Winbourne, said his band is all about making music that is both creative and catchy.
“We’re mainstream enough to be on the radio but not too mainstream to be typical,” he said. “We like Kings of Leon, John Mayer and Dave Matthews and stuff that plays on a lot of college radio stations.”
One of Winbourne’s goals is to make music with a good message, according to Earles.
“We want all people to be able to listen to our music — from kids to teenagers to old people — without their parents trying to screen it,” he said. “We want to send a positive message, and we want our music to actually influence people.”
Cecilee Janis, mass communication sophomore, said she is a fan of Winbourne’s music.
“I enjoy watching them play because it’s obvious that their music is something that they love,” she said. “Honestly, I think they’d play that way even if no one was watching and still be as excited about it as they are in front of people.”
Janis said she is a big believer in local music.
“I think that for one, being able to support the people around you brings forth the whole community-unity type thing, which is really important,” she said.
 
 
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Contact Cathryn Core at [email protected]