Brooklyn-based psychedelic indie rock band Rubblebucket returned to New Orleans, LA last Wednesday night to rock the stage at One Eyed Jacks in the French Quarter. The eclectic group of musicians put together a set list featuring older favorites like “Sill Fathers” and “Came Out Of A Lady” from 2011’s Omega La La, newer hits “Carousel Ride” and “Origami” from 2014’s Survival Sounds, and even some brand new tunes, including “Donna”, just released on SoundCloud in September.
Many can talk about the quality, talent, and craft that go into Rubblebucket’s songs until you run out of breath. A truly unique aspect of their live shows is that fans tend to leave the venue feeling like they’ve spent the last two hours among close friends, even if they came in knowing no one. Frontwoman and saxophonist Annakalmia Traver and bandleader and trumpeter Alex Toth–along with Adam Dotson on trombone, Daniel McDowell on bass, Ian Hersey on guitar, Jacob Bergson on keys, and drummer Max Almario of fellow New York experimental rock group Celestial Shore–create a world of positive creation and self-expression that breeds happiness and love which stays with the audience long after the performance.
The band took plenty of time to interact with the audience, tell jokes, and dance their faces off, but as anyone who has been to a Rubblebucket show before knows, the best is always saved for last. This performance did not disappoint. Members of the crew and opening band ELEL dumped a purple balloon octopus–yes you read that correctly–off the venue’s balcony into the audience and the gang ended the show with a second line into the audience, telling everyone to meet them at the Hi-Ho Lounge for a late night DJ set.
Rubblebucket and co. captured the essence of true New Orleans fashion, and we can’t wait until their next trip down here.
[Photos by Katie Sikora Photography]