The Breton Sound- New Orleans, Louisiana
Written By: Hunter MacLeod
When most people hear New Orleans in reference to music, I bet they generally think of Jazz, maybe Zydecho, the Blues, and perhaps even Hip Hop/Rap. I doubt many people think in terms for rock and roll. Perceptions can be deceiving though. The Breton Sound are a rock group out of NOLA that are turning heads locally and regionally and you may see them at a bigger venue or festival near you soon.
That's the dream of co-founders lead singer/guitarist Jonathan Pretus and guitarist Stephen Turner. Add fairly recently twin brothers Joe and John Bourgeois as the rhythm section and you've got The Breton Sound. John and Steven have been there since the beginning in 2010 and putting out EP's Eudaemonia and Maps, even getting a write up in Paste Magazine as one of "12 Louisiana Bands To Watch". Their most recent release is Don't Be Afraid of Rock & Roll vol. 1 which is a stellar EP. (My first intro to TBS was their previous Maps, which is also a fine EP.)
Known for soaring melodies, catchy and grinding guitar hooks and a thrilling energy from one song to the next, it is a perfect balance of fun and catchy, yet grinding, thrilling and driving rock songs. These are not middle of the road pop rock songs, though it is totally possible that they could be very, very popular. Turner plays as the group call it themselves, "solos that sound like Muse if they'd grown up listening to Van Halen."
The recent EP Don't Be Afraid of Rock & Roll vol. 1 is 5 songs total. Stand out songs include "Illuminate" and Walking Backwards" the two main rockers on the EP. "Rivers Cuomo" is fun and jaunty to start it out, whereas "Love You More" is a gentle call and reply lovelorn song with Pretus accompanied by local singer Cherie LeJeune. LeJeune's voice melds harmony beautifully with Pretus in this touching and poignant love song.
At present The Breton Sound is in the recording studio working on Don't Be Afraid of Rock & Roll vol. 2 and I for one am looking forward to its release to bookend with volume 1. It is so refreshing to find yet another straight up rock and roll band, one that you could just throw on the radio in your car or see live and enjoy with friends over a drink or two.
You can always show them support on:
Official Site
Bandcamp
About Hunter:
Hunter is a freelance music writer that concentrates on finding outstanding, unsigned, unknown and under appreciated bands from around the world and unabashedly wields them onto the unsuspecting and the great unwashed. His work has appeared on music sites kilScene (NYC/Brooklyn), Mother Church Pew (NYC), and East of Eighth (Nashville). One of his writings has even been shared and press quoted by a Grammy Nominated artist (Do the Grammy's even matter anymore?!)
After a particularly difficult and surreal week of work about five years ago Hunter decided to search the dark, dusty corners and obscure underbelly of the Internet. It was after hearing one of the same 30 songs that a so called "New Rock" radio station played yet again on his way home. That is what started him n his quixotic quest.
Since then through many seasons of bleeding ears, anguish, and many neurotic episodes, he has learned well how to hone the power of the Internet in his search. Along with that, he has a vast array of concerts and music rouges throughout the US and around the world, and his goal is to find some of the most unique, fresh, and kick you in the ear hole artists and bands. You can follow him on Twitter or Facebook (if you can find him!)
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