opelousas

Opelousas play hauntingly hypnotic music that will leave you mesmerised. Inspired by the Louisiana town of the same name, the Melbourne-based trio serve up a spicy slice of swamp blues. The band was formed by Kerri Simpson in 2018, drawing on the trio’s love for the music of the deep south. Their debut album, Opelousified, an absolute feast of grit and glory, was voted best blues album in 2019 at the Music Victoria awards. Their sound is a roux of Kerri Simpson’s dynamic vocals, electric guitar and baritone guitar, Alison Ferrier’s contagious guitar riffs, bucolic fiddle, and sultry vocal tones, seasoned with ARIA award winning Anthony “Shorty” Shortte’s expert swamp-soaked percussion. The rhythms of Opelousas seep right into your bloodstream and their spellbinding performances leave punters crying out for more.

“A joyous debut collaboration from three of Australia’s highly respected musicians, Opelousas have whipped up a gumbo of stripped-back raw blues, highly rhythmic & riff orientated, rollin’ & tumblin’ straight out of the swampy Mississippi Hill country, above the Delta. I just love the sound and material. Can’t compare it with any other Aussie band, I believe.” HELEN JENNINGS OAM – PBS 106.7FM