Spotlight Series: Marcella and Her Lovers

SpotlightMarcellaAndHerLovers

Growing up with GRAMMY-winning zydeco artist Terrance Simien as her father, Marcella René Simien always knew she wanted to be on stage. By the age of 14, she was performing and touring with her father’s band, appearing at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Festival International de Louisiane and the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, among others. 

Marcella and Her Lovers performing at the Levitt AMP Lafayette Music Series. Photo by Sara Virginia Yongue.

Marcella and Her Lovers performing at the Levitt AMP Lafayette Music Series. Photo by Sara Virginia Yongue.

Now a professional musician in her own right, Marcella wowed audiences in her hometown of Lafayette, La., at the Levitt AMP Music Series earlier this summer. And in the coming week, she will play two more Levitt stages with her band, Marcella and Her Lovers: Levitt Shell on September 13 and the Levitt AMP Cleveland Music Series on September 16. 

Five facts about Marcella:

  • She taught herself to play the accordion in college. A present from her dad, the instrument helped her with homesickness while attending Memphis College of Art. She also plays piano, guitar, mandolin and drums.  
  • Marcella appeared on her father’s GRAMMY-winning 2013 album Dockside Sessions. Written by longtime Bob Dylan drummer George Receli in English and translated into Creole French by her grandfather, “Ava Magnolia” features Marcella on lead vocals.
  • Her music is influenced by artists as diverse as Nina Simone, A Tribe Called Quest, Chrissie Hynde, Fela Kuti and Talking Heads. She credits her mother, Terrance’s wife and business manager Cynthia Simien, with exposing both her and her dad to different types of music.  
  • She considers both Lafayette and Memphis to be influential in helping her discover her voice as an artist. “A large part of why I left [Lafayette] was/is that I wanted to share the culture, history and beauty of Louisiana’s heritage with as many people, and in as many places, as possible,” said Marcella to The Independent. “Memphis, this music city, has allowed me the opportunity to survive and make a living out of my art.” 

Come experience Marcella and Her Lovers’ swampy mix of zydeco, soul, roots and more this Sunday at Levitt Shell. The free show begins at 7 p.m. 

And for folks in Arlington, Bethlehem, Charlottesville, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Pasadena or Trenton, check out the other free concerts happening this weekend!

Be sure to check your local Levitt for the latest concert info, including updates due to weather.

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