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What if Americana actually encompassed ALL of North America? Youd have the Franco Acadian inflections of Canada, as best exemplified by the accordion, blues and jazz, the only truly indigenous music the US has ever produced, and the lilting grace and fiery passion of the music of Mexico. Youd also have New Orleans premiere distillers of this continental musical melange, The Iguanas, and their new album Juarez.Taking their cues from all of the above influences and then some, Juarez, the bands first studio album since 2012s Sin to Sin, redefines the notion of Americana, crossing cultures, styles, eras...and even languages. Its as if Rue Bourbon, Muscle Shoals and Plaza Mexico were all within earshot of each other and The Iguanas were the musical conduit between them. Based out of New Orleans for the past couple of decades save for a short, Katrina imposed exile in Austin the members of the Iguanas have (collectively or individually) played or recorded with everyone from Charlie Rich, Alex Chilton, and Willie DeVille to Emmylou Harris, Allen Toussaint, and Pretty Lights.Their two decade ride has taken them all over the map musically and geographically, yet the inescapable patina of their hometown infuses every note they play. Through eight studio albums, countless tours and Jazz Fest appearances, and a flood that did its best to take their adopted city with it, its a testament to the bands endurance that the same four guys that started playing in the early 1990s are still together.Joe Cabral is philosophical about the bands persistence in the face of challenges that would have felled indeed have felled lesser bands. First of all, this is all we know how to do; were musicians. But more than that, he continues, we respect the power of the band as an entity, and each individual in the band steps up to play his part. When its good, thats really what its all about.Rod Hodges agrees. I dont want to get all heady and mystical about this, but its not really an outward reward were looking for. We all enjoy playing music, we all get along, and finding a group of people who can say that after all this time is a rare thing.
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