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Marc Broussard
Marc Broussard
The Road to
Carencro, Never a Momentary Setback
by Abraham Kuranga
Copyright ©2004
PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved.
Posted: December 23, 2004.
Louisiana is known as the birthplace of
jazz music. Home to Louis Armstrong, Cajun food, Marc Broussard and yes,
Mardi Gras. Who was that fourth one, you say? If this fresh-faced singer/songwriter had it his
way, he would be the first thing you remember when one mentions Louisiana.
“It’s pronounced, Karen Crow, kind of like Sheryl Crow’s sister,” says
Broussard of his hometown, Carencro. Intentionally, it’s the name of his
major label debut, via Island records. “Louisiana is different from any
other place,” says Broussard. “The vibe as a whole, the flow, the people,
the food, all influenced me as a person as well as the artist.” Who is Marc
Broussard the artist, though?
Broussard, son of Boogie Kings guitarist
Ted Broussard, grew up listening to a wide array of genres. With jazz,
Cajun, blues and rock and roll music all around him, Broussard was submerged
in the one time music Mecca. He steadily gravitated towards the soulful
sounds of northern soul crooners, such as Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder and
the more recently, Prince and Brian McKnight.
“There is just so much honesty in their
music,” says Broussard about his influences. “For instance, Donny wasn’t
afraid to be honest. He was singing things like, ‘To Be Young, Black and
Gifted,” continues Broussard. “That just struck a nerve in me,
because I knew
it was real.” Broussard also took a liking to their singing chops. “Brian
McKnight is just one of the greatest singers of all-time,” says Broussard.
It is no secret though, that Broussard
wants his career to model that of another soul legend. “Prince is one of
the best live performers,” says Broussard. “His live show is most
compelling.” But what is it about Prince that he likes so much? “I just
love the fact that he stood his ground, and stuck to his guns when people
didn’t understand him.” It is with these influences, along with his father,
that Broussard packed away and started on his musical quest.
Broussard recorded his debut EP with
producer Marshall Altman and went along with the “if it ain’t broke don’t
fix it” approach with his new disc. “Marshall and I already had a working
relationship,” says Broussard. “I just felt comfortable that we would get
the job done. Once the label said Marshall was cool, a huge burden was
lifted.”
Even though some of the same people are
working on Carencro as with Setback, this set is meant to go
in a different direction. “The whole mentality of the record is different,”
explains Broussard. “There was a lot more pressure, yet it was easy. It
represents a sexy, beautiful time in my life.” The lone survivor that made
the transition from Setback to Carencro is “The Wanderer.”
“It’s just a solid song. On the road, it’s the most popular song, so we
stuck with it,” says Broussard. “To be honest, I didn’t really want any
songs from Momentary Setback on this record.”
Being a guitar-strumming
singer/songwriter will come with some unwarranted comparisons to widely
known genre definers as John Mayer, Jason Mraz, among others. Broussard
doesn’t mind though. “If you said I sound like Bob Dylan, I’d take that,”
says Broussard. “I don’t care what you call me, just call me.”
Broussard
though is different than most self-proclaimed singer/songwriters. His
voice, alone is arguably stronger and more distinctive than most. The
gritty yet soulful texture to his voice makes it hard to find equitable
comparisons. Broussard does want to set himself aside from other
artists in the crowded industry today.
“There’s a difference between artist and
singer,” explains Broussard. “Most singers, who don’t write their own
material don’t have a firm ground to stand on. They have people dictating
to them, so it ends up not representing them.”
Broussard, a student of the industry,
notes that there needs to be some changes made, in order for longevity to
prevail. “The solution,” Broussard says, “is to make good records. Stop
making just good singles, but entire records. Also the industry needs to
grow some balls, and take some risks”, he continues. “[The
business] is
becoming too calculated.” Broussard decides to take these risks in his
songwriting. “I write mostly autobiographical songs,” he confesses. “I
want listeners to know me when they hear my songs. The only thing that’s
real between me and the fans is the honesty.”
Whether or not honesty exists between
the lines of his lyrics may never be determined but the sheer diversity of
Carencro is undeniable. From the down-home groove of “Home” to the
high speed of “Rock Steady,” Carencro runs the gamut of moods, vibes
and sensations. Lead single, “Where You Are” is a traditional up tempo
pop-rock ditty, with its “scream at the top of your lungs” chorus.
The stand out track within this solid
set is arguably “Saturday.” Its disco, dance themed groove will take
listeners back, something the Broussard wanted to accomplish. “I wanted the
older listeners to reminisce about the old times, when hearing this song,”
explains Broussard. “At the same time, I wanted new listeners to be
introduced to that feel, that vibe.”
Like any blossoming singer/songwriter,
Broussard has built his home away from home on the road. Taking great pride
in his live show, Broussard has spent the last few years honing his stage
skills, bringing his live performance to what it is today. “My shows are
like church after-hours,” says Broussard. “A little less Christian, but
it’s a powerful, high energy show. I tend to put everything on the line for
my fans.”
With many falling off the road to
success, Broussard seems headed in the right direction. With music in his
blood and an undying passion to please his fans, Broussard seems more than
ready for rock superstardom. But what if that doesn’t happen? How will he
be remembered? “Cool,” says Broussard. “I just hope everyone thinks I’m
cool.”
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