The Clash

 I must be honest, I was a little young and almost missed the music of The Clash but they ended up on some of the mixed tapes that were floating around the high school I went to just outside New Orleans.  I had the great fortune of going to a school closer to “The City”, and there was an underground movement happening in the small corners of the French Quarter in tiny clubs where one could hear a song and have to scream up to the DJ to desperately find out who it was.  And then the next day was a quest of going find the record. 

The New Wave movement coming out of the punk and post punk scenes changed the course of life for me and taught me how to dream and be myself and not be afraid of the unknown.  Most importantly it taught me to remain “DIY”.  I grew up watching my people just doing it themselves and succeeding and it kind of installed a chip on my shoulder to remain this way.  There’s no way Atlantic Records could have held onto me.  It was plastic. 

This little flag is flying in me as I picked up my guitar the other night to begin rehearsing music of The Clash for our show on Monday night at Chickie Wah Wah.  The music is a sword and I feel so comfortable in it.  There would be no Clash music without Reggae and there would be no Reggae without New Orleans.

Come cuddle up next to the root and help stir the pot.  Maybe this can lead us to something new.  

"Tales Of An Imposter"

It was an odd feeling to arrive in New York City with three bags, and a lot of hope that I could find something to put all my energy into.  Due to tragedies in life, I had a history of just going for it with no fear of the outcome.  I didn't know anyone in the city and it was spring and I moved into my new apartment in Chelsea.  My favorite thing about the city is just wandering around at night, downtown through the West Village to Soho and to my favorite, Cafe Gitane.  

I was in over my head, there were lots of successful, smart looking people hanging out and beautiful girls. I didn't really socialize much as I didn't want to tell anyone what I was up to in the city because then I would have to explain what I was up to and I didn't exactly know my plan.  I had gotten a few acting jobs in New Orleans and just like that, auditioned at Stella Adler and got in.  It was something to do and a place to land in the big city.  

I wandered around a lot and dreamed and read books for weeks without talking to many people and really didn't mind.  When school started it got easier and began meeting people and dating and all that.  It was very inspiring in those studios, over looking the city.  I was reinventing myself yet again and I've always been comfortable doing that.  Though I was comfortable, I did feel like an imposter.  I guess you have to be an imposter for a while until you figure out a path.  And then the great acting teachers began to look at me as if I had the greatest potential to reach the heights of former students like Brando or Pacino.  It was a good feeling to be seen as an artist by these older artists I admired.  It gave me wings actually to quit the school and buy more equipment and set out to make my first record.

Years later, when I'm on the 27th floor of Atlantic Records signing my first record deal, the feeling was still there.  As if to say, wow these folks are buying this, they believe me!  It's an odd thing really and no one talks about it.  The journey and finding ones place in the world.  I'm telling you this because maybe you see me as a musician, an artist and that it must have always been.  I tell you, it wasn't.  One must stand up and be brave and take the first step down strange paths.  There I said it.  You got this.  

I wonder what's inside you.  

 

"Integrity Of The Game"

 In high school, my coach told me I could throw the football farther into the wind due to the aerodynamics, and he did the sly, quick click on the stopwatch and made me believe I ran a 4.6.  I don't know if I ever really threw in the mid 80's on the mound, or if it was just a feeling.  An inner Bill Laimbeer that will take you down, no matter the speed.  

Yesterday I read a line of Rick Rubin's that said "Impatience is an argument with reality".  He's right!  It's a rugged fight really, being an artist.  There's no coach on the table, edging you on.  It's you in an empty room against the blank page and if you want it all now, well that's just too bad.  Deep breath!  

Tall tales don't really work to push the artist.  He must find himself, immersed in it.  As with golf, one must be present and have integrity.  One must have the honor of a soldier on the course, when in the bush he lies.  A triple, a quadruple bogey, put it on the card.  Dig your game out of the dirt! I dare you.  The golf gods are smiling upon you.  And trust me, they won't forget.  In this era of great posturing, you'll rest my friend. 

"So Long Letters " #1

 

It's true, I do love letters.  I like writing and taking the time to send out a letter here and there.  And I really appreciate the lovely emails I get from time to time from folks who love my first record "So Long". Sure it was disappointing that the record didn't get its proper promotion back in the day, but it did manage to make its way out into the world.  Often the stories people share say that so and so stole my only copy and I only have it on this one hard drive, etc.  These stories always show up when I need them to.  I don't make music to one day play stadiums and entertain the masses, I do this first for myself and my own healing and to connect on a deeper level.  

This message came in from Brooklyn yesterday and it's nice to be appreciated in a city that I love and adore.  The city where my creativity was born.  

Subject: So Long

Message: Hi! I don't usually write artists but this album was so important to me in high school. I let my parents give away all my CDs at some point between graduating in 2006 and now and thus this album was lost. I couldn't find it streaming anywhere and didn't own a CD player until I bought a used car last year after the birth of my son. My spouse has a collection of random old CD's and all i wanted was this album back, to share with my family on our antiquated cd player, in our shitty car. Today the first song on the album was on my spotify Release Radar playlist. I'm sitting at my desk with happy tears. This brings back so many memories. I feel like a piece of my life was put back together. I just wanted to say thank you for making music and posting this special album on Spotify. Music is so magical and this is hitting somewhere deep in my soul that I didn't know was hidden!

A Letter To Brian

Greetings Brian,

I hope your family is having a nice holiday in West Virginia.  I looked up your town on the map and it seems like a small town in the mountain areas right off of  I-81 which is my main interstate I take to my northeast tour run I’ve been doing.  

It was great getting your message of interest in my work.  I could tell you really cared and it was heart warming.  It’s not always easy to truly connect with others through my work, and when it happens I feel like I’m on the right track.  

Since 2014, I started touring solo/duo after answering many emails just like yours.  When you saw me play in D.C. years ago, I had just figured out how to make a record and I was being thrust in the limelight and had to figure out this next phase.  A phase that made me really uncomfortable.  I longed to have my privacy back and to be creating more, not to be made into a star.  

me smelling my new 2016 Gibson L-00

This new road was a bit more rugged in the beginning  and felt like I was in a wagon wheel heading west into the unknown.  To be honest, if I’m not feeling like that in each new year, I feel I must be doing it wrong.  Things have been working on this path.  I feel truly connected to the folks that host the shows and I am totally disconnected from any middle men.  I long to play slightly bigger theatre’s and to collaborate more with folks I admire.  It’s moving at a snails pace, but when I can latch onto gratitude first thing in the morning, my days are beautiful and full.  Unfortunately, some mornings I hop onto the wrong train and I want to sell all of my guitars and do something else.  Ha!  I’m not joking though.  Those feelings do come, but then emails like yours come through with a strong message of gratitude and I feel seen.  

I’ve been into playing micro shows, maybe we can do one in a micro town like yours.  I long to make a difference in these times.  

Kind Regards,

Dustan Louque

"Louque Letters to Sean"

 Greetings Sean,

Just wanted to thank you for your support, not only today but since day one when I bought the van and hit the road again.  I was afraid inside but knew I had to do it.  I have fond memories of those times when we opened the doors of the Gary State Bank.  I’ve been playing in many cool, non-venue spaces all over the country and it seems to be working.  I have truly found a sustainable path.

I’m enjoying creating the dialogue for these hats and talking about old Grand Point.  People don’t realize that ole Nelta Louque birthed a slew of baseball stars.  Names like Delaneuville, Heltz, Poirrier, Richard were all of her grand, great, and great great grand children.  

Looking back on it, it was all we had to do.  I imagine that’s why the Cubans are so good in baseball.  Playing everyday makes a great player, even with a plastic bat and ball made out of paper towels and duct tape.  

And speaking of the Cubans, buying that old van was kind of like building my raft to cross the ocean towards opportunity.  And I thank you for your generosity and openness to the idea that our people can be artists too.  

Kind regards,

Dut

"Louque Letters To Rusty Pipe"

 Greetings Rusty Pipe,

It was great to see your order come through.  I find it a great omen that your order number is 00011.  The number 11 has always carried significant meaning to me as it was Joey’s number.  

Thanks for always taking me seriously as a musician, even way back when it was only a dream and I probably came across a little odd for pursuing this path.  I honestly had no choice.  After Joey passed, I vowed to not let fear get in the way and work to find my true gifts.  It was challenging because my instincts were sending me down strange roads like acting and New York.  By the time I was getting weak and starting to doubt, your mom came down with meningitis and the nasty warrior in me reappeared.

I’m so proud to be where I’m from and I love the humility and resourcefulness of our tribe.  I spoke to my dad yesterday about locating the old St. Philamena church bell.  I’d love to erect it in the Point De Cannes and have an annual celebration for the ones we’ve lost.  We are headed on tour next month and will be stopping in Woodstock to record with my band and we are recording a song I wrote called “Under The Blood Red Sun”.  It’s all about the tragedies of Grand Point.

I hope this finds you well and on a path you love.  Life is not always easy, but now and then I look up and feel like I’m honoring the vow I made as a kid.  

Much Love,

Dut