My Spilt Milk

My name is Alex Rawls, and I cover music and culture through the lens of New Orleans on my website, http://MySpiltMilk.com. Interestingly, my spellcheck seems to think I'm frequently making mistakes!

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Esther Rose Expands Americana on "Want" — My Spilt Milk

1 week ago | myspiltmilk.com | Alex Rawls

In the first lines of “Want,” the title track from Esther Rose’s new album, she sings, “I want to live in the desert and bake in the sun / I want to live in the city and kiss everyone.” These desires and the others she catalogues in the song seem so simple and natural the way she sings them, particularly when backed only by her own gently strummed acoustic guitar. It sounds like she’s thinking out loud to herself, trying out the ideas and chords at the same time.
What Does it Mean That Jazz Fest's Attendance was Down? — My Spilt Milk

1 month ago | myspiltmilk.com | Alex Rawls

On Monday, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival presented by Shell announced that 460,000 people attended Jazz Fest over eight days. That’s down 40,000 from 2024 when 500,000 attended. The decline sparks some interesting questions, “why” being only one of them. People started speculating about possible reasons for lower attendance on the first weekend after a soft crowd on Thursday and Friday.
Jazz Fest Closes with its Deepest Day on Sunday — My Spilt Milk

1 month ago | myspiltmilk.com | Alex Rawls

Sunday has the potential to be a spectacular conclusion to Jazz Fest. The weather forecast looks gorgeous, and there are both proven commodities and acts you’ll be glad to discover. The final slot on the last day of Jazz Fest presents the hardest choices of the festival. Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue (5:45 p.m., Festival Stage) have grown into their role as the Sunday closer , and My Morning Jacket (5:30 p.m., Shell Gentilly Stage) are touring in support of is, their best album since Z.
Son Rompe Pera Makes Mexican Marimba Music Theirs at Jazz Fest — My Spilt Milk

1 month ago | myspiltmilk.com | Alex Rawls

When Son Rompe Pera from Mexico City played Jazz Fest in 2022, there was no escaping their marimba. It wasn’t a discreet instrument that one person hovered over in the background. Brothers Jesús "Kacho" Gama and Allan "Mongo" Gama stood comfortably side by side next to a marimba the size of a kitchen table that was positioned center stage. “On the side where Mongo plays, there are basses, like the harmony, to accompany,” Kacho says in an interview.
Jazz Fest's Second Locals Thursday Features — My Spilt Milk

2 months ago | myspiltmilk.com | Alex Rawls

The second weekend of Jazz Fest 2025 starts with a second Locals Thursday that looks like fun. It’s nice to have new-to-Jazz Fest acts Cage the Elephant and Morris Day & The Time headlining a Thursday, but I think we did math with an abacus when the Festival Stage headliner Santana first appeared at Jazz Fest.
A Loosened Up Loose Cattle Play Jazz Fest Thursday — My Spilt Milk

2 months ago | myspiltmilk.com | Alex Rawls

Living in New York City affected how Michael Cerveris and Kimberly Kaye thought about Loose Cattle. They had very clear, very defined ideas about the Americana band that will play Jazz Fest’s Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do Stage on Thursday at 1:40 p.m. Cerveris had spent years thinking about his background in West Virginia and how that and his record collection would shape the band.
Son Rompe Pera, Banda MS, Mexican Institute of Sound Among Mexican Acts at Jazz Fest's Second Weekend — My Spilt Milk

2 months ago | myspiltmilk.com | Alex Rawls

The Expedia Cultural Exchange Pavilion Stage is often the most exciting at Jazz Fest because even the most experienced festgoers can discover something new to them. I also make sets there a priority because the only chance we’ll have to see many of these artists is at Jazz Fest.
Lil Wayne, Roots, Big Freedia's Gospel Top Saturday; Picks for Sunday at Jazz Fest — My Spilt Milk

2 months ago | myspiltmilk.com | Alex Rawls

The question going into Lil Wayne’s collaboration with The Roots at Jazz Fest Saturday was what effect they would have on him. Lil Wayne has been a mercurial performer who never appeared to overthink a set. Would a professional band like The Roots make him more professional? The answer was “Sort of.” The Roots started with a half-hour set on their own, then at 6 they moved into a more Funkadelic jam zone with “Capt.” Kirk Douglas’ guitar heroics moving into the Eddie Hazel zone.
Chapel Hart Show the Power of Show Biz Friday, and Saturday's Highlights at Jazz Fest — My Spilt Milk

2 months ago | myspiltmilk.com | Alex Rawls

Chapel Hart’s Jazz Fest set was something New Orleanians don’t do, but it was also a very New Orleans show. The country trio composed of sisters Danica and Devynn Hart and their cousin Trea Swindle are as show biz they come.
Jazz Fest Started Strong on Congo Square Stage, and Friday's Picks — My Spilt Milk

2 months ago | myspiltmilk.com | Alex Rawls

Sometimes Jazz Fest does nice things. On Thursday the Congo Square Stage opened with R&B singer Denisia, followed by the pop R&B of LeTrainiump, and on paper, neither has the resumé for the festival. Both put in the work and have enough talent to use the time well though, so much of the fun early Thursday afternoon was watching them rise to the occasion.