If you live in Shreveport, chances are you’ve probably heard of the Seratones. Heliopolis contributors have been reporting on them since Spencer Teekell’s 2014 article and Robert Trudeau has kept you up to date on such goings-on as their feature on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series.
As per usual, however, I’m late to the party (#indianstandardtime?). I first heard – literally – of AJ Haynes at Norton Gallery’s Art of Whiskey when she provided the lyrical ambiance to some serious bourbon consumption. I remember turning to my husband and saying, “Damn that girl is talented! Who IS that?” and then turning to my best friend Julia and saying, “Damn that girl is well dressed! Who IS that?”
Well – as I found out the next day via social media sleuthing (aka: “Hey does anyone know who that girl was singing at the museum last night? *feeling hungover*) – “that girl” was AJ Haynes, lead singer for the band. Rounding out this 4-piece powerhouse are Connor Davis on lead guitar, Jesse Gabriel on drums, and Adam Davis on bass. All four are graduates of Shreveport-Bossier area high schools and were friends for years before launching the Seratones.
The quick-and-dirty: After putting together several DIY punk shows, the group won the Louisiana Music Prize in 2013. At the band’s first out of town show in Hot Springs, a fellow musician who worked at the Fat Possum Warehouse caught wind of their general awesomeness; two weeks later, the Seratones played in front of the Fat Possum record label and signed a 3-album deal. Since then, the band has played SXSW, been on a national tour, and been featured on CBS Saturday Morning, the New York Times, Glamour, and the aforementioned NPR.
When I found out they were slated to play the pre-party at my favorite music festival, I knew I had to know more and harassed them into a phone interview while on the road. Although I mostly talked to AJ, I did manage to squeeze in a few questions for the guys as well!
Helio: You guys have just played amazing venues like the Fillmore and the 930 club in Washington D.C. So the obvious next question is – What place do you miss most in Shreveport, hmm?
Adam: Ki Mexico & Great Raft! We actually brought some Great Raft with us on the road…
Jesse: Danh’s Garden and Ivan’s.
Helio: I read somewhere that you (AJ) want to be an ambassador for Shreveport. What does being from Shreveport mean, if anything, to you?
AJ: I’m proud of our city for making great artists and musicians. It’s pretty stellar how many talented people I know that live even in the same neighborhood as me. There’s so much humility. When we all get together, it’s not about fame or fortune but about trying new stuff, collaborating.
Helio: I noticed on some of your personal Facebook pages (after stalking and friend requesting you) that y’all aren’t afraid to be political. Is the band political at all, or is that something you keep separate from your music?
AJ: We live in an age where the personal is political largely because of social media. We’re still having these conversations, having to fight legislative action doing harm to our (women’s) bodies, putting things in our food that are bad for us. I mean why are people concerned where you take a piss? As long as we’re still having these battles against violating basic human rights and personal choices…
{I pause for a mental salute. Then continue.}
Helio: You’re not worried about causing a ruckus with the label?
AJ: Have you seen Fat Possum? That’s the beauty of being with an indie label. I think it is important for artists to be able to speak intelligently through interviews or music about things that are bothering them. Maybe it helps people figure things out. At the end of the day our music is about personal expression, and however people want to read that, that’s fine!
Helio: What have you loved most about being on tour?
AJ: We played the Fillmore last night and everyone was in their separate pockets with their phones. As soon as we started playing, the phones went away and crowd pushed together. Music actually, physically brings people together!
Helio: What’s the message you want aspiring artists and musicians in Shreveport to know?
Connor: Follow the advice that was given to us. Like Buddy Flett says, take your vitamins!
Jesse: Be good to each other. Don’t let money get in the way of things.
Adam: Don’t be a dick. Then people won’t want to work with you. Make music that you love playing. Don’t try to write songs that you think are going to be the next hit. It’s not worth the head trip!
AJ: And it’s not worth the self-degradation. Write collaboratively.
Helio: That’s a great point! Why do you think you guys have managed to stay together when so many bands fall victim to “personnel changes” right as they are garnering success?
AJ: You have to keep things as democratic as possible. Split evenly. The beautiful thing about democracy, as we know, is that it may take a little longer, but it’s worth it. A dictatorship is efficient, but you don’t grow from that.
(I pause for an unspoken “Amen, sister!” before I realize it’s my turn to talk again.)
Helio: What’s the dream? What would be the pinnacle moment for the Seratones – the “Yes! This is it. We’ve made it!”? Where do you want to go, what do you want to do?
Jesse: I would love to play Japan. I could pretty much drown myself in the water after that. [laughs]
Connor: Those moments are actually happening more and more frequently already. I’m pretty excited about going to Europe!
Adam: Going surfing out on the West Coast was a dream come true. Playing the Fillmore was amazing! And of course, getting recognized by Rolling Stone.
I note to AJ that it’s particularly heartening that the band’s answers seem to be more focused on being grateful for what’s already occurred as opposed to desires for the future. I re-ask, “But what would be the pinnacle moment for you?” In what I have now determined to be classic AJ fashion, she replies:
“I want to reframe the question. I don’t want a big break or to blow up. I want to ascend, with a sense of progression and longevity. I’m having the pinnacle moment right now, riding in between shows in the van with my best friends. I can’t ask for much more than that.”
The SERATONES will be celebrating the release of their debut album with an ALL AGES, FREE BLOCK PARTY downtown from 5-9pm on Saturday, May 21 at 710 Texas Street. Donations welcomed. After-party at Artspace begins at 9:30pm and will feature a DJ set by AJ Haynes. $10 at the door.
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AUTHOR’S NOTE: CO-CREATIVE is also celebrating their one-year birthday the SAME DAY, with an ALL AGES, FREE art/music/poetry bash starting at 2pm at Bon Temps Coffee Bar! Spend the afternoon – and evening – celebrating the arts in Shreveport with both of these incredible, FREE events! Lucky you, am I right?