Loup Garou

Loup Garou—pronounced “Loo Ga Roo,” the Creole term for folkloric werewolves—operates out of New York and draws on the classic Cajun tradition, fusing acoustic instruments with modern technology in a manner the band itself sums up by stating, “Our music is about celebration.” That approach has steadily broadened their following. The lineup features Jimmy Macdonell (b. Lafayette, Louisiana; accordion/vocals), Jim Gregory (b. West Virginia; bass), George G. Recile (b. New Orleans, Louisiana; drums), Mark Dufault (b. New York; guitar), Neil Thomas (b. Philadelphia; keyboards, formerly of Surreal McCoys), and Ronin (b. Brooklyn, New York; vocals/washboard).

Early performances drew quick support from several prominent admirers. David Byrne enlisted Macdonell for the track “Don’t Fence Me” on the Red, Hot And Blue Cole Porter charity tribute album. After catching a single set, Bryan Ferry invited the group to open his American tour. Additional enthusiasts include Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz of Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club, Robert Palmer, Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, and Paul Simon, who took the band on his Rhythm Of The Saints tour and asked Macdonell to appear on the corresponding album. The group’s first film work came with John Sayles’ Passion Fish, a project for which the ever-booked Macdonell also contributed scoring.