"I admire artists who use their music to spread a message to society when that message is positive or denouncing injustice. I think music should be used to get people closer together, regardless of political opinions, social status, different generations etc, etc..."

Frenchie Moe: NOLA Soul Full Tonight

Frenchie Moe was born in France, in 1986. Passionate about Blues guitar and vocals at age 8, she was mentored by British bluesman Victor Brox, whom her father had befriended in a local club. She got to perform in Victor Brox's band as a teen, hitting her first stages at 12 and starting her first serious band at age 15. She then moved to the USA at age 19, working odd jobs with the hopes of infiltrating the music scene. After 5 years in the Midwest, multiple musical projects, and the mentorship of late bluesman Creighton Holley, ex member of the Chicago Rhythm Kings, she finally moved to her dream city of New Orleans. There she formed a new band and was blessed to write and collaborate with a couple of Louisiana Music Hall of Famers, the late Coco Robicheaux, and the legendary Walter Wolfman Washington.                      (Photo: Frenchie Moe)

Frenchie Moe Trio performs a variety of soulful music, ranging from Blues standards to old school R&B, along with some original music. From slow, captivating Blues tunes to danceable funky grooves, Frenchie Moe's soulful vocals and guitar solos are garanteed to catch any listener's interest. On her latest album “Soul Full Tonight” (2023), Frenchie handles vocals and guitar, with Bruce Elsensohn on keys, Andres Villafarra or Adam Crochet on bass and Keith Hawkins or Ian Petillo on drums; Sunpie Barnes guests on accordion and vocal on one track. Frenchie produced the album with studio engineer Lewis D’Aubin. Influenced by the soulful Southern Creole sound of American blues, Frenchie performs like someone who has a deep passion for the genre and understands what makes its most iconic artists so good.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the Blues influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

I remember being a child and reading about the Blues and its origin, of course getting into the Blues will make you reflect on the profound strength and resilience of the African slaves that originated it... and in today's world, I think it might translate to all human beings that are faced with adversity...I would say the Blues should make a person more compassionate if you do it right, because the feelings from that music are the same for absolutely everyone...from sadness, joy, love, or loneliness...And as to the journeys, it was 100% the Blues that made me decide to leave France at age 19 and travel to the USA. Seeking the origin...

How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? Where does your creative drive come from?

I'd say I'm attracted to all material that is deeply soulful...whether it's Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Soul, Jazz...a funky edge is the cherry on top in my opinion. And not everything can be funky all the time, or I think it would lose its effect. I play a good bit of "funky Blues music", but I want to make sure I always play some traditional material within my repertoire too, honoring the roots. I write some material of course, but in recent years I've had a blast re-arranging more obscure Bluesy material ranging from 50s to 70s, and I don't plan on stopping because I feel there are many ignored B sides, or ignored artists or both, that highly deserve the public's attention.

"It is definitely not easy to be a female artist in the music world. Even in 2024. I think we have made huge progress as far as being recognized as actual musicians for instance, not just "trophy singers", and I am very pleased to see more festivals having their share of female performers for instance...but I'd say there is still some pressure to dress a certain way, look sexy, etc. in order to get people to listen to our music!" (Photo: Frenchie Moe, a stellar female blues artist, born in France, based in Louisiana)

Why do you think that NOLA music continues to generate such a devoted following?

I think it has a devoted following due to the uniqueness of the culture there. A certain mix that you cannot find anywhere else in the USA or the world. And people tend to seek strong cultural identity and be in awe of it, because let’s face it, there are a lot of places in America for instance, where different cultures have been blurred together into a non-specific Western lifestyle...People are seeking something historical and "real". Meanwhile, it's a serious challenge for the native culture bearers in New Orleans, such as brass bands, Mardi Gras Indians or traditional jazz musicians, to keep the authenticity going, despite all the modern-day issues they're being faced with, from gentrification to natural disasters... So, if you visit, those are the people you want to support first and foremost.

What moment changed your music life the most? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

Seeing English Bluesman Victor Brox play when I was 8 years old, was life changing, as I realized right there and then I wanted to play that music. He ended up mentoring me as a teen... Many more musical highlights followed, as I got to be around many deeply inspiring musicians in my life so far, such as the late Walter Wolfman Washington, with whom I share a daughter. Recording a duet with Coco Robicheaux when I was 25, was definitely one of the highlights. Sadly he passed away a month later. In my life in general, my 10-year-old daughter and my partner are the biggest highlights...

What do you miss most nowadays from the blues of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

People seem to be putting "technical prowess" before soul...it seems there are more and more Blues guitarists who play fast and loud with a Rock edge. Too much "shredding". Musicians like BB King for instance, that were able to stir so much emotion with a few notes and a distinctive sound, are closer to what the Blues is about, in my opinion. I fear most contemporary Blues is turning to be plain Rock, which I can respect, but I feel there's so much more to the genre. My hopes is that new up and coming artists will keep maintaining the roots for one, and highlighting different musical connections the Blues has, with Soul, R&B, Gospel, Jazz for instance...

"I think it has a devoted following due to the uniqueness of the culture there. A certain mix that you cannot find anywhere else in the USA or the world. And people tend to seek strong cultural identity and be in awe of it, because let’s face it, there are a lot of places in America for instance, where different cultures have been blurred together into a non-specific Western lifestyle...People are seeking something historical and "real"." (Photo: Frenchie Moe, Hazelhurst MS, Robert Johnson's hometown)

What does to be a female artist in a Man’s World as James Brown says? What is the status of women in music?

It is definitely not easy to be a female artist in the music world. Even in 2024. I think we have made huge progress as far as being recognized as actual musicians for instance, not just "trophy singers", and I am very pleased to see more festivals having their share of female performers for instance...but I'd say there is still some pressure to dress a certain way, look sexy, etc. in order to get people to listen to our music! Thats a shame to feel that type of pressure, and I personally try to stay true to myself, heels and miniskirts are just not my thing for instance, so I would not pretend it is, in order to attract more audience...lol

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

I admire artists who use their music to spread a message to society when that message is positive or denouncing injustice. I think music should be used to get people closer together, regardless of political opinions, social status, different generations etc, etc...

Do you think there is an audience for blues music in its current state? or at least a potential for young people to become future audiences and fans?

Of course, Blues has an audience worldwide, and it's a beautiful thing to see fans from the US and Europe and beyond, coming together to celebrate one of the most iconic musical phenomenon of the 20th century. While the faces of the Blues are extremely diverse nowadays, I think we must never forget its African-American origins, and make sure that its heirs be fairly represented.

One part that’s a little scary is that a lot of our Blues fans seem to be older, and yes I do ask myself what will happen once that generation is gone. However, when I see so many very talented young Blues performers coming out (such as Buffalo Nichols to name one), I'm thinking there has to be a potential for younger audiences to become Blues fans. Blues has gone in hiding at times, but it has never fully died yet!

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(Photo: Frenchie Moe)