The eighth-generation Louisiana Creole musician Terrance Simien has been at the forefront of traditional zydeco music for more than four decades. The two-time Grammy Award-winner has dedicated his time to preserving the unique cultural expression of Creole sounds through concerts and education programs. Ahead of his performance with Zydeco Experience at Boogie on the Bayou, the 10th-anniversary celebration of The Front Porch (see p. 23), we put Simien in the HotSeat.
Name: Terrance Matthew Simien
Age: 59
Pronouns: Peace/love
Hometown: Mallet, Louisiana
Job(s): I’ve had the best job for over 40 years and it may sound cliché, because you know what they say, if you love what you do, it’s not really a job! I’m a singer, accordionist, performing artist, and band leader. But my main gig isn’t a job at all, but instead a life commitment—that’s being Cynthia’s husband and Marcella’s dad.
What’s something about your job that people would be surprised to learn? That I drive most of the time when we’re on tour!
What is music to you? My spiritual practice and my main method of healing whatever is hurting in my soul, and hopefully yours.
How do you define the spirit of zydeco? The spirit of zydeco comes from deep in the Creole ancestral DNA—mostly it’s the joy in the bloodline of our people. The spirit of zydeco is also informed by their pain and struggles but even more by their victories. The ancestors used the music to heal their pain when times were hard. We have a saying, “Danse les miserables,” that loosely translates to “dance away your miseries.”
First concert you attended: I played one before I ever went to one … I grew up in a very remote rural community and were kinda insular during the 1970s. Technically my first “concert” was the Lawtell High School jazz band when I was 7. A legit club concert came a few years later in 1977 when I snuck into the Triangle Club, Frilot Cove, to see Joe Tex. But that life-changing concert was in 1984 when I was 19 and my band performed at the World’s Fair in New Orleans. It’s where I first saw the Neville Brothers in concert.
Why is supporting music education important? To cultivate the next generation of musicians, songwriters, and performers who make American music that influences the world. To also create a deep sense of music appreciation for diverse music genres that have shaped the music identity of our country.
What are you listening to right now? The voice of my wife talking to me on the phone because we’ve been on tour for two weeks now and the sound of her voice gives me so much life when I’m away. I’ve been listening to and really diggin’ the new album from my daughter, Marcella Simien. West African and reggae music are always on my playlist.
Favorite musician: Art Neville, Taj Mahal, Sam Cooke, Dylan, Paul Simon, and Tom Waits.
Proudest accomplishment: My daughter, Marcella, my 35 year marriage, and [my] 40-year career in music—three-way tie again and a trifecta!
Describe a perfect day: At home with family, cookin’ a li’l sumthin’ Creole in my kitchen and sleeping in my own bed.
If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing, what would you be? Sam Cooke
If you had three wishes, what would you wish for? For all people who are struggling to be lifted out of poverty. For people suffering with health problems and illnesses to be healed. For all of the world to unite with genuine respect for one another. I am a dreamer.
Most embarrassing moment: Please don’t make me re-live them.
Favorite movie and/or show: Tie: Dances with Wolves and Pulp Fiction, obviously for two very different reasons.
Favorite book: The Stand, Stephen King
What’s your comfort food/meal? Peking duck, gumbo, and pasta—not all at once.
Subject that causes you to rant: It’s a three-way tie again: racism, inequality, and misinformation.
Best journey you ever went on: The one I’m still on—the never-ending journey of being a full-time touring artist in roots music.
Favorite curse word: I leave the curse words to my wife, she’s much better at that than me! Good moms say bad words. Sure, I partake sometimes, when I get all worked [up] about certain subjects; see above. Most of the time though, the Catholic guilt kicks in and I check myself.
What have you forgotten today? Pretty much everything right now because I’ve been playing around with this virtual reality headset I just bought and I am legit tripping out. Wow, I had no idea!
Photo by Jake Springfield.
