Conversation with Louis Michot and Leyla McCalla

Louis Michot and Leyla McCalla sit down with Stephen Winick of the American Folklife Center to discuss their personal musical histories prior to their concert at the Library. Louis Michot is best known as the fiddle player and lead singer for the Grammy-award-winning Lost Bayou Ramblers. He is passionate about Louisiana French and local folklore, and about sustainability in the fastest disappearing landmass in the world. These deep interests fuel his career as a musician. In addition to fiddle and vocals, Louis plays guitar, bass, ti-fer (triangle), and accordion--all the instruments of a typical Cajun band. He collaborates frequently with other musicians, including Leyla McCalla, accordionist Corey Ledet, the Rising Stars Drum and Fife Group, and one-man-band Quintron. With over 20 LPs to his name, his music career continues to push the boundaries of the Louisiana French music traditions. Leyla McCalla was born in New York City to Haitian emigrants and activists, and her music draws inspiration from the past and present: three centuries of history and contemporary influences from around the globe. McCalla is a master of the cello, tenor banjo, and guitar, as well as a multilingual singer and songwriter. She is a founding member of Our Native Daughters (with Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah and Allison Russell), and has appeared at the Library of Congress as a member of the Grammy-award-winning Black string band The Carolina Chocolate Drops. Her solo work has a distinctive sound that reflects the union of her roots and experience. For transcript and more information, visit https://www.loc.gov/item/webcast-11665