“Americana has a strong voice in Rod Melancon.” ( No Depression)
Deep in the swamp lands of South Louisiana, in the small towns off State Highway 14, there are stories waiting to be told. There are ghosts to conjure up in the night fires and the bayou jamborees. Much like Johnny Cash captured the Arkansas of his childhood and Bruce Springsteen brought Asbury Park alive for millions, singer-songwriter Rod Melancon has introduced to listeners the stories of South Louisiana’s small towns and conflicted characters. The Daily Country raves that Melancon’s tales are "experiences personal and universal to one of Americana’s finest rising artists, destined to create his own legend and legacy." The latest vehicle for Melancon’s intriguing storytelling is his five-song EP, LA 14, released in April via Blue Élan Records.
LA 14 is a preview of the full album to be released next year. With the help of producer Brian Whelan (Dwight Yoakam), Melancon has pushed his song-cycle into a swamp-tinged, country blend that moves out to the parameters of psychedelic-rock and deep southern blues. His songs here, while entirely original, echo the poetic soul of Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt.
While the singer-songwriter’s debut album, 2012’s My Family Name, mined classic country music for inspiration and his fresh new songs call up the spirit of Cash and Merle Haggard, it was his second album, 2014’s Parish Lines, that found him truly pushing the boundaries between alt-country and blues-rock.
That same year, Melancon was spotlighted as one of CMT Edge’s “Five Rising Roots Acts to Watch.” By the end of 2014, Melancon was highlighted by the premiere Americana arbiters, including American Songwriter and No Depression. Critics took notice and hailed Melancon’s debut as one of the best of 2014.
The centerpiece of LA 14 is “Lights of Carencro ,” a chillingly dark and personal song and video. Emerging from Melancon’s father’s point of view, “Lights of Carencro” tells the story of the death of his brother in 1976. Melancon vividly paints the experience of tragedy and loss as he tells the engaging narrative, performed through a nightmare-like spoken word mixed in an eerie high frequency.
Fans can watch and hear in person Melancon tell his tales of Southern discomfort during his current tour.
For more information on Rod Melancon, visit his social media: FACEBOOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
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