On day one of New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, The Daily Reveille talked to founder and frontman Cruz Contreras of “The Black Lillies.”
The easygoing country group from Nashville, Tennessee played the Fais Do Do stage to a packed crowd on April 22.
Contreras shared his favorite things about playing at festivals and his role as the band leader.
The Daily Reveille: How was your performance at your first Jazz Fest?
Cruz Contreras: I think it’s as good as any performance we’ve had. When you tour like we do and you play clubs, sometimes they go well and sometimes it’s a struggle. You’re really working to do this and play the big festivals in front of an energetic crowd like this. It’s a perfect fit; Jazz Fest, New Orleans-it’s a natural high.
TDR: What did you think of the crowd’s reaction to your performance?
CC: It was great. It doesn’t hurt that it’s a beautiful day and everyone’s in a good mood. We try to do a story with the music, and people react to it. It’s good to see people smiling and dancing, really loving this.
TDR: How long has The Black Lillies been together?
CC: I started the band in 2009. We put out the first record in 2009, and started touring in 2010. Trisha joined the band in 2010 and we’ve been here the longest. There’s been a change in lineup otherwise.
TDR: What type of songwriting approach do you take?
CC: I usually write when I’m alone. When you’re with a touring band, you’re never really alone. So, I say that when I have an instrument, a little time and I’m by myself I’ll write a song. It’s a matter of being right in the moment so I usually just start brainstorming.
TDR: Do you like playing festivals or intimate venues better?
CC: There’s something about the festivals that’s the ultimate goal, but they all work together. I’m sure if you only played was festivals, you might lose some of the perspective. Like last night we played in Beaumont, Texas, in a listening room. It was in a dance hall, with all the locals, and they’d have signs on the tables saying no talking. So you get to fine-tune your craft, whereas in this setting it’s all about the energy and trying to keep yourself honest.
TDR: How do you keep things democratic in the band?
CC: You don’t. I’m a big fan of democracy, but I always use the equation: you’re driving down the road, and there’s one person driving a van with eight people. What if eight people took the steering wheel? You would die. Someone’s gotta make the calls. But being a good leader means considering everyone’s opinions, needs and wants and if people know you’re considerate, they trust you as a leader, but someone’s gotta lead them.
TDR: What do you see for the band in the future?
CC: Hopefully more of this. You’re always thinking after you play, more festivals, bigger and better festivals, how can you draw bigger crowds at the clubs. For me, my job is to be at the creative forefront, I’m always thinking about new songs and new sounds. That’s always my biggest concern, because I don’t want to go through the motions.
TDR: What do you want people to feel like then they hear you play?
CC: I want them to feel good, to feel alive. When I started the band, I was at a point in my life when I was energetic and obnoxious. It took me until I was 30-years-old to realize that happiness is not a given for everyone. It was for me, I started this band as an outlet. Wherever you’re from, whatever you’re dealing with, this is a time to forget about it. Let’s rock and roll and dance, whether we’re playing something trippy or a heartfelt song, we try to do all that in our show.

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Greta Jines

Trisha Gene Brady of The Black Lillies performs Friday, April 22, 2016 on the Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do Stage during the first day of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.