When you are one of the first bands to play a 3 day festival, like Voodoo Fest in New Orleans, you have to have something unique to win thin crowd over to your stage. Luckily for the Russian Band, Debauche, who launched the Bingo! stage @ 10:45 am Friday, they thought ahead and brought a few burlesque girls to entertain. The atmosphere was appropriately very French Quarter meets Comrades meets the bright light of day.

The 3 ladies took to the stage as the band was rounding out their set to put a little something extra on the big finale. As though a whistle blew that only photographers could hear, the shutters started snapping away. I didn’t even know this many photographers had arrived already. I couldn’t help but to feel a bit badly for the girls who stripped down to their panties and pasties in the cool morning air. Distracted just long enough for the crowd to actually listen to the band, Debauche wins you over.

Their classic old world sound, complete with accordion player and stand up bass, made me desire a large fur hat and a pint of vodka. This unsigned band, who frequently plays the local Russian scene (who knew?) in New Orleans has a lot of spunk. Their sound is so familiar and yet has that “what’s old is new again” sensibility that make them a truly great listen.

Words and photos by Barbie Brady