“An unabashed pop sense… and sly integration of cello and acoustic guitar”
— Times-Picayune New Orleans
There are about 500 miles between Louisiana and The Shoals of Northwest Alabama. Singer and multi-instrumentalist Caleb Elliott knows them all well. They’re the highways and rural roads that led him from playing dollar margarita nights in Cajun country to touring the world as the cellist with acclaimed singer-songwriter Dylan LeBlanc. They’re the trail that connects him musically from Acadiana where roots run deep like the cedar trees to his hometown of Natchitoches to the fabled recording studios of Muscle Shoals. Now, they represent the journey of his latest solo record–a collection of songs that reaches back to his background as a classically trained cellist and forward to the sound he’s building with new generation of Shoals musicians. Stepping out of the touring whirlwind with LeBlanc, Elliott started searching for his next move in between playing his regular haunts and joints across the border in Texas and Arkansas. With fellow Louisianans drummer Jeremy Gibson and guitarist Michael Stephens, he drove those 500 miles back to The Shoals to record with Ben Tanner as producer, violinist Kimi Samson, and Zac Cockrell (bassist of Alabama Shakes). The result: a sonic bridge filled with the tight grooves that made the Muscle Shoals Sound famous and a new-school swamp rock vibe that connects his two homes and his past with his present.
“Marcel P. Black originally came to Baton Rouge by way of Oklahoma, but has established himself as one of the city’s hip-hop leaders over the past decade. In addition to cultivating the local scene, Black has become an in-demand act on the regional circuit. Black’s rise has been an unlikely one, creating conscious rap in a Baton Rouge scene largely bereft of such content.”
— XXL Magazine
Baton Rouge veteran emcee Marcel P. Black has already received high praise from some of the most well respected names in Hip-Hop. Most recently Marcel was featured on XXL.com’s list “12 Baton Rouge Rappers You Should Know,” also highlighted on HipHopDX.com’s “Up Next By DX” feature. Marcel regularly tours the Southeast, Gulf Coast, and Southwest, appearing at Atlanta’s A3C Festival, as well as other festivals in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, & Tennessee.
Next to Marcel’s great music and work ethic, his claim to fame is his live show. A3C.com once describes Marcel’s performance style as “Baptist Deacon meets Gangster Rapper meets Malcom X.” Marcel has shared stages with KRS-One, Common, Jay Electronica, Mobb Deep, Run The Jewelz, Kevin Gates, & Slum Village, as well as underground heavyweights like Supastition, Sean Price (R.I.P.), Substantial, Killah Priest, Mickey Factz, and MegaRan.
Marcel recently released a universal critically acclaimed album titled “Cry Freedom,” that featured the likes of Supastition, Substantial, Tef Poe, and Mr. Franklin a.k.a Kamikaze from Crooked Lettaz. Marcel’s style is what he describes “non-traditional conscious Hip-Hop,” a style born out of his gospel roots, street gang influences, and Black Empowerment teachings.
Marcel has always used his platform as an emcee to bring light to social justice issues, from organizing benefits for National World Aids Day, and raising money for the children of Alton Sterling, to speaking on panels and lecturing on the intersection between social justice and Hip-Hop in collegiate and high school classrooms. Marcel has worked in the field as a youth development worker for 15 years, most recently as a mental health counselor. The husband/father/artist/activist/youth worker’s goal is to use Hip-Hop culture as a conduit to freedom.
“The Wall Chargers bring a fresh sound with an old voice.”
— Heliopolis
The Wall Chargers are based out of Shreveport, Louisiana. A bizarre corner of the southern world called the Ark-La-Tex. The band’s unique sound draws from western and gospel with rhythm and roots flare. Well-thought lyricism meets well taught instrumentation. Respectful students of an old sound find a personal modern voice.
