NEW ORLEANS — For band founder and guitarist Jason Kareores, the overnight success of his increasingly popular New Orleans rock group Strange Roux has been more than a decade in the making.
Grinding away on the regional circuit, the band could be heard playing the regional scene from Southeast Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle since 2011.
But with the recent additions of singer Kennedy Kuntz (2021) and drummer Ana De Ferreira (2022) to an already established lineup that includes Kareores and fellow guitarist Cody Lee and bassist Matt Schmitt, the new vibe – and sound – create a fresh take on the back catalogue and new energy with an emerging EP debut.
"The thing I'm most excited about with our new E.P. coming out is that people will finally get to hear the songs the way we hear them in our heads," Kareores told WWL Louisiana. "I've been going at this for a while now and have done some recordings that just didn't work out.
"This is the best line up that the band has ever had, and the best people that I would ever want to share my dreams with," he continued. "We're extremely proud of the music we're about to release and can't wait to share it."
Fans won't have to wait long to get a taste of the latest tracks, including what is certain to be the first single in "Midnight Dancer" which Kuntz soulfully, yet powerfully breathes vibrant new life.
Strange Roux will debut songs off the EP live at WWOZ on Saturday at 11 a.m.
Then later that night, fans and music lovers can flock to the venerable NOLA music venue Maple Leaf Bar located way Uptown along the funky Oak Street corridor.
"It's always an honor to play the Maple Leaf," explained Kareores. "So many greats have graced the stage there and it is one of the most authentic and best music clubs in the city."
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Kuntz concurs with Kareores.
"I've experienced magic in the crowd at the Maple Leaf, and I'm excited for us to share some of our own," the former lead singer of Kennedy & the MOTH told WWL. "We've worked hard on our upcoming album and getting to bring these songs to the Maple Leaf creates a special kind of energy."
Get advance tickets to see the show live at the Maple Bar by visiting the venue's website.
Show starts at 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30.
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