Quintron is one of the most unique figures in all of New Orleans music. He has put out many great albums of strange garage rock and oddball future funk. His latest release, “Sucre Du Sauvage” was recorded at the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) . The elusive keyboardist, drummer, and inventor recently wrote in to discuss Ernie K-Doe, his disdain for the term Bywater, and recording in NOMA. Quintron will be touring all over the country with his puppeteer partner in crime, Miss Pussycat.
Quintron has a unique creative sound. (Photo Credit: Consequence of Sound)
What was the first instrument you learned how to play?
I started on drums. Well books really. Ha ha. I would set up like four or five different stacks of hard cover books and each stack had a different sounding thud tone and I would just beat the f@*k out of those for hours. Hard cover books kinda have the same feel as drum heads…you can do rolls and stuff on them. How’s that for a metaphor for dumb rockers? Actually beating the s@!t out of BOOKS! But, uh…I did read books too. Just not those particular books. I think they were mostly encyclopedias and Reader’s Digest.
How did you meet Miss Pussycat?
Walking down St. Claude Avenue by Gene’s. She just said, “get in the car” so I did.
What inspired you to create the Drum Buddy?
It did not exist and I needed it for my own set up so I built it. One prototype after the other till I was satisfied. Actually, I’m still not done.
What do you enjoy most about living in the 9th Ward?
The weather? I don’t know. It’s changed so much. I feel like we moved to another city but we didn’t go anywhere. I’m glad you called it the 9th Ward. I hate the word “Bywater.” It’s a real estate term pure and simple.
How did the concept for the Spellcaster Lodge first come together?
I would rather not discuss Spellcaster if you don’t mind.
What did you love about Ernie K-Doe?
K-Doe was the Sun Ra of New Orleans RnB. He was my mentor…him and Antoinette. Best thing he ever said was during this one rehearsal the drummer stopped…and he looks over at her and asked why she stopped. “I made a mistake,” she says. Then Ernie looks at everyone and goes, “THERE ARE NO MISTAKES IN MUSIC!! NOW PLAY!!!!” He was the absolute best. I don’t think he sang a false note in any recording he ever made either. God he was the best. Him and Johnny Adams had such amazing voices! Where are those guys now??
You created your new album, “Sucre Du Sauvage” in the New Orleans Museum of Art. How did the idea to do that come together?
Miranda Lash asked us to do an exhibit at NOMA and this was my idea to move into the museum and do a record there. It was the only way I could think of that I could contribute to a visual experience. Miss P really is a visual artist and she had tons of work to display. I only had myself.
What were your favorite parts of the recording process?
Probably being there late at night after hours and also the process of choosing the paintings to hang on the walls. I got to go through their collection for an entire 6 months and choose what I wanted to hang on the walls….that was awesome.
What have been the biggest obstacles you’ve had to overcome in your career?
Intermittent poverty, bar goblins, and a broken down van.
Don’t worry if you missed Quintron at Studio 3 on 5/6 because he’ll be back in New Orleans on 7/25 at Siberia Bar. In the meantime, you can keep up with him via twitter.
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