Mixtape | Go To The Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras means King Cakes, parties and costumes. It also means music. And there is nothing more integral to Mardi Gras than that. Without the multitudes of rambling jazz bands, street corner trumpeters and bars oozing delightful and decadent sounds, there’d be no reason for dressing up.

One bedazzled, bedecked band to look for marching through New Orleans streets or on the stage at Tipitina’s during Mardi Gras season is the Wild Magnolias– one of the handful of Mardi Gras Indian tribes. Believe me, they are hard to miss.

Photos: Mardi Gras Indians

Flamboyantly parading across stages, streets and streetcars, this band of “Indians” defines how Mardi Gras culture envelops and consumes so many traditions, evolving them into something new and completely hybrid.

With songs rooted in folk-tradition, these elaborately feathered performers bring music to the people straight from their souls.

And as is the philosophy of Mardi Gras, they weave tunes and dances and beats together to  their audience the idea that it really IS about letting the good times roll.

With that being said, it is also deeply intertwined within their lives, and part of their identity, from small children to adulthood.

The 2010 documentary “We Will Not Bow Down” paints a vibrant picture of this part of New Orleans subculture, and shares rare glimpses that go beyond the parades.

The Mardi Gras Indians: A little history

Started by black working-class groups as a type of secret social club, the Mardi Gras Indians have grown more widespread and popular throughout the United States.

With individual tribes branching out from just Mardi Gras festivities, touring and collaborating with other types of musicians, this hyperlocal musical tradition has influenced bands of all genres over the last 20 years or so.

Brett Bonner, editor of Living Blues Magazine, says that being a part of the experience is where you learn the most about them.

“Each group of Indians has a chief and these men spend much of the year sewing their elaborate costumes by hand. During Mardi Gras the chiefs of the tribes 'do battle' with one another, the winner based on how elaborate their costumes are and how they dance in it.”

The music of each tribe is chant-oriented, and often associated with the “hambone” style - what’s referred to as a second line rhythm - and originates from New Orleans funeral parade march traditions.

With layer upon layer of brass instruments and heavy percussion, it is extremely hard to keep your feet still when the Wild Magnolias or any of the other tribes come marching down the street.

Go to the Mardi Gras today, with a little Wild Magnolias, zydeco, jazz and R&B that will sure put you in the mood to let the good times roll with this mixtape.

Click here to hear the entire mixtape on Spotify.

Track Listing:

1. "Go To The Mardi Gras" - Professor Longhair
2. "All On Mardi Gras Day" - The Wild Magnolias
3. "Tipitina" - Dr. John
4. "Mardi Gras Mambo" - The Hawkettes
5. "Rumblin' On The Bayou" - Clifton Chenier
6. "Iko Iko" - The Dixie Cups
7. "Mardi Gras In New Orleans" - Olympia Brass Band
8. "Down At The Mardi Gras" - Rockin' Dopsie, Jr.
9. "King Cake" - Big Al Carson
10. "The 2nd Line/The Back Door" - Zydeco- Hi-Rollers w/ Beau Jocque
11. "Sew, Sew, Sew" - Flaming Arrows Mardi Gras Indians
12. "The Soulful Saints" - The Magnificent Sevenths
13. "Koo Koo La Ba" - The Abitians
14. "Tiger Rag" - Bunk Johnson
15. "South Rampart Street Parade" - Sharkey Bonano
16. "Who Dat?" - Olympia Brass Band
17. "Carnival Time" - Rebirth Brass Band
18. "When The Saints Go Marching In" - Jo-El Sonnier
19. "Show Me That Dance Called The Second Line" - New Birth Brass Band
20. "Getting' Ready For The Mardi Gras" - Troy Andrews w/ Orleans Avenue

 

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Twinkle VanWinkle ponders, creates and discovers cool stuff about music, movies, food, fashion and so forth. Her thoughtful writings and interactives give great advice about healthy food, cooking tips, DIY projects, fashion and more. She’ll teach you a thing or two about music as well. Along with producing dynamic entertainment content for LIN Media, she is a mother, musician and social media fanatic.