Returning for its ninth year, this year’s Herb and Chilli Festival is a celebration of all things hot, with a two-day buffet of food, music and entertainment. As part of its tantalising program, Sydney-based roots act Psycho Zydeco will bring the heat to the stage with their blend of Cajun, blues and swamp!
We sit down with band all-rounder Gregg Hatton ahead of their festival performance.
First up, can you give us a quick intro to the band?
Formed 1993, we delve into all the variations of what Zydeco is today. Blues, a bit funky, stripped-down acoustic-ish, rural and our own unique hard kicking Zydeco. We use monster accordion, guitar, sax and drums… Frottoir (body armour washboard) and industrial-sized Cajun triangle.
What is it about the style of zydeco that you drew you in?
This music is so up and so ready for a good time. Plus, we are able to add our own influences and grooves into the music which allowed us to perform at either a blues, jazz, world, country, folk or rock festival.
Inspired by the sounds of New Orleans and Louisiana, who are some of your main influences?
Clifton Chenier is the main man, but Buckwheat Zydeco, Rockin’ Dopsie, Boozoo Chavis and Beau Jocque have been massive influences for us.
You’re heading to Melbourne for the Herb and Chilli Festival – a mecca for iron-tongued spice-lovers. How did you guys get on board for the festival?
Clive, the organiser has been after us for a few years now but we could never get it done. But this year it all worked out and we are looking forward to playing some Hot Zydeco and Fiery Swamp Blues at this great festival.
What can punters expect from your performance?
A Gumbo of Zydeco, Cajun, Blues and Swamp music producing a sound that is only Psycho Zydeco. Driving washboards, drums, guitar and sax combine with some amazing accordion playing that will make you want to grab a washboard and get up on stage and start scraping with the boys.
What do you enjoy about performing at festivals and live on stage as opposed to recording in a studio? Or vice-versa.
We made our name as a live band, there are not too many bands that have played as much as we have. So we are always bouncing something new to one another on stage and you are never quite sure of where the song might go, so that’s a big thing which has kept it fresh for so many years. Recording, we have pretty much played live in all the studios we have worked in. I don’t think it would sound like us if we recorded it bit by bit.
An ode to the celebration – favourite hot dish?
I’m not much into the Chilli wack….a very spicy Panang Curry is as far as I can go. Stef, our Accordion player does not seem affected by the chilli, so it will be interesting to see how far he goes at this festival.
Lastly, best tip to ease the burn of something spicy?
To quench the chilli fire, I could say just play your Zydeco faster… but I’m not sure that would help out with the burning. But a milky drink seems the best to cancel out that fire.
The Herb and Chilli Festival comes to 125 Quayle Road, Wandin on Saturday March 14 and Sunday March 15. Grab your tickets and find out more at the festival website.
