We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Duane Bartels. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Duane below.

Duane, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?

I don’t have a particular story to pull from here but this is a topic that resonates deeply with me. Within the New Orleans music scene, especially the French Quarter professional scene, The Duane Bartels Band feels out of place sometimes. We are a band that plays original music in a world of cover bands. We do covers too, you have to in order to make money. But many other bands/artists do not play originals.

Our job essentially is to play music enticing enough to draw in tourists, or locals, into a bar to buy drinks. This is a great way to hone your craft and expand your repertoire while getting paid to do what you love.

Where it becomes complicated is that we present ourselves as an original band, that also does covers. It seems to turn certain club owners or bookers off from booking us, even though the songs generally go over well. They are fun, horn-heavy songs with a groove. Things people can dance to while enjoying a drink. But it has cost us a gig or two in the past, mostly on Bourbon.

Then there is the “originals-only” scene on the flip side of the artistic coin. We play these gigs a couple of times a month, with the knowledge that we won’t be making as much money. But other bands and members of certain scenes turn away from us because of what we do professionally. We are “selling our soul” to make money. While I used to subscribe to this belief, I do not any longer. We are making money to survive with our passion and improving our craft at the same time.

It’s a hard line to tread and I often think of ditching the former, playing professionally, in lieu of playing on a more purely artistic level while sacrificing the money. But once I get on stage it doesn’t matter. I’m playing because I love it.

Overall it turns out to be more work but we are making it work for ourselves the best we can. It also helps us stand out when people are really paying attention and has led to some great opportunities.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Our service is music. Entertainment, a good time, a good cry, or a good laugh. Simply put, we are an American/Funk/Rock band in New Orleans. The best way to describe our sound, when it comes to the music we’ve written, is California Indie Rock with a strong New Orleans influence. We are a horn-heavy band led by my guitar playing and a strong back beat.

Since getting started in 2016 we have expanded what we do from playing simple DIY shows to all sorts of events/venues/occasions. We most often play nightclubs and bars, drawing people in off the street. Recently we started dipping our toes into the wedding business. We’ve done festivals, outdoor art markets, and similar events.

What sets us apart from others is our ability to play a wide variety of songs. When we started did our own songs and a variety of blues/funk covers. Since then we’ve expanded our repertoire into pop, soul, country, and much more. We can even take requests on the spot if the song is familiar enough.

I am most proud of the latest record we released “Electric Baby Carriage.” It was recorded with Grammy award winner, and good friend, Justin Armstrong over a few tough couple of years. From 2020-2022 we trudged away at this thing. It’s an eclectic mix of styles and something we can all be proud of. The record was recently reviewed by OffBeat magazine which was a huge accomplishment.

It is up streaming now on all platforms.

You can find more info about us at www.duanebartelsband.com

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Pay us more. Musicians made $100 a gig in the 1970’s and still make the same. Inflation, changing technology, and economic hardships have only pinched more pennies out of musicians’ hands. A world without music is one that I would rather not be a part of but it seems to be careening towards us quickly.

It’s harder than ever to be a musician and we deserve more than we receive.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Yes. I had moved to New Orleans from San Francisco. After terrible hardships in my life, due to many personal decisions, I had to pick up and leave. I changed my life, my attitude, and my mental health for the better.

My musical tastes and styles changed along with it. I got heavily into the styles of music that I play now and left behind my old world. I was deep into the Punk and Indie Rock scene and completely dropped it, reinventing myself.

I would encourage anyone, creative or not, to not be afraid of the curveballs life sends you. Lean into them. You might get hit, and it’ll hurt. But you’ll come out the other end a happier individual.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.duanebartelsband.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duane_bartels_band/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DuaneBartelsBand
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkt67dQff-TRH-JeMtyRobQ

Image Credits
Photos by Shannon Fangsrud Artwork by Fox Capone