There’s a first time for everything and I am excited about this one.

We have our first Zydeco submission compliments of The New Iberians Zydeco Blues Band based in the Portalnd, Oregon area.

Isn’t New Iberia in Louisiana (you might be thinking)? Well yes and here’s an explanation:

Our band takes its name from New Iberia, Louisiana, Queen City of the Bayou Teche, famous for its red pepper hot sauce.

The New Iberians can be traced back to 3 primary musical roots: Louisiana Zydeco, Pacific-Northwest Rock, and Chicago Blues.

The line up includes rubboard, squeezebox, guitar, bass, drums, and harmonica.

These instruments, and the musicians handling them, come together to form a hard working but fun partying great time.

Pingaddamidy! is as potent as the high-proof alcohol found inside the Kool-Aid. (Yes, that’s creole for a southern mixed drink made up of high proof alcohol and kool-aid.)

Opening up with “Are You Ready?” the album quickly moves into “The Barbecue Song” and yummmy…. away we go through 7 more tracks of uplifting, carefree, get up and dance music.

I feel like I’m back in Opelousas enjoying an evening down by the bayou with my own Mason Jar of Pingaddamidy! It tastes [and feels] so good.

The New Iberians are headed by Evan Shlaes who handles accordion and vocals. Evan wrote and co-produced all 9 songs on this album with help from WC Handy Award Winner, Terry Robb.

Backing up Evan on vocals is Linc McGrath (bass) and harmonica player, Claes Almroth. Clark Salisbury joins them on guitar as well as Fred Ingram on drums and legendary rubboard player, Paul Bassette.

That’s one hell of a musical line-up.

You can catch this group [mainly] in the Northwest U.S. playing festivals, gigs, and parties in Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, and the Bay Area of Cali.

Go show them your support by grabbing your copy of the album.

You can connect with the guys on Facebook or keep up with the latest news and events on their website.