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Some (Stanton) Moore Galactic Funk, Please
interview Page 1
Page 2 of interview
New Orleans carries a special aura that no other city in the United States shares. The feeling one gets when walking through the tightly woven streets of the French Quarter is almost indescribable. Imagine, since the earliest moments of our nation's history, New Orleans was a cultural cornucopia, a hub of commerce that had no other choice but to embrace all colors, creeds, and nationalities for the sake of unified trade. While much of the rest of the country fought battles that divided the people, the scene in the Louisiana delta was much the contrary. Amongst the many things cultivated as a result of this distinctive environment was the music. New Orleans became well known for round-the-clock excitement as the sounds that poured from the festival squares and bars helped energize the city's busy streets.
Because of the city's diversity, its music took on a shape all its own, as African and Latin rhythms began to meld with European instruments. Soon, a sound that we now call jazz emerged. Legendary players traveled from around the country to play in New Orleans, and local musicians earned recognition from coast to coast. As time moved on, jazz moved nationwide, along with the music it helped to spawn (which includes funk, among others). Even after jazz and funk had become national phenomena, however, the sound that emanated from the streets of New Orleans had its own inimitable feel—no matter how hard others tried, they could not duplicate the sounds of bands like Art Neville's Meters. To this day, musicians pay homage to the town many consider the birthplace of modern American music. New Orleans does not currently have the reputation it once had as a hot bed for new artists, but there still are a few bands from the Big Easy that are ready and willing to carry the torch for all the great musicians that paved the way.
One of those groups is Galactic. With dedicated fans and praiseworthy music, this Crescent City band boasts one of the most grueling touring schedules around; and the fellas plan to keep it that way. Musictoday caught up with drummer Stanton Moore to talk about his hometown and how its cultural influences inspire the band, the group's current direction, and just about anything else that came to mind.
Musictoday: What is it about the New Orleans groove that makes it able to incorporate so many different styles easily?
Stanton Moore: New Orleans was the only place in America where African-Americans were allowed to play their indigenous music. So, music from Africa that came through the Caribbean was allowed to be played in Congo Square. This is the only city where African, Afro-Caribbean, and Afro-Cuban music was kept alive. When you start incorporating European instruments like brass horns, you have got a city where everyone that lived there—at some point in their life—was exposed to those rhythms. All American music can be traced back to the sounds of the South and New Orleans. Of course, jazz can be traced back here. This place has always been a breeding ground for music of all types.
Mt: You often refer to playing music like it's a conversation.
SM: Music is definitely a conversation between musicians, and between players and the audience. You have to know when to listen and when to speak up. A lot of people don't know when to speak up and a lot of people don't know when to shut up. It is all about balance. It is about developing your musical judgment over time. You got to know when it is your time to go on fire, and when it is your time to sit back and let this other person say what they have to say.
Mt: So, the more you develop your people skills, the better musician you will become?
SM: Sort of. I've known some pretty Neanderthal cats who were incredible musicians, though.
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