Cajun Popsters Feufollet Remember Cajun Fiddler Hadley Castille + Reflect on the Future at Voodoo 2012

Feufollet is a band that knows to respect their elders. Cultural traditions are integral to what the band does in a way that they aren't for most contemporary groups.

When we found singer and multi-instrumentalist Chris Stafford backstage at the Voodoo Music Experience in New Orleans, he was packing his fiddle and accordion into a car parked in the grass. The Cajun pop band, based in Lafayette, just finished a great hour-long set on the "Preservation Hall" Louisiana folk music stage.

Feufollet are regulars at the Blue Moon Saloon in Lafayette and gig around at lots of folk music festivals in the region (including Festival Acadiens and Festival International right here in town).

Our conversation with Stafford turned to Hadley Castille, the Cajun music elder statesman and steward of the French Cajun language, who died in October.

"I remember when I was a little kid, first starting accordion, you know, he really took me under his wing," said Stafford. "We played a lot of shows with him, he taught me songs, we had dinner at his house. You know, he taught me a lot about the music. You know, he was one of my big heroes."

"A lot of the established musicians have always been really cool about helping out the younger people," he added.

Some younger, more contemporary Cajun musicians have been in the press lately, too.

"Lost Bayou Ramblers are around there, they’re doing a lot of really cool stuff right now. They’re getting a really big following, actually – I just saw yesterday they were featured in Rolling Stone."

Feufollet and Lost Bayou Ramblers have both been nominated for the now-eliminated  Grammy Award in the Best Zydeco or Cajun Music category.

Next up for Feufollet is a Cajun and Zydeco music festival in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

"It’s at, uh, the Hard Rock Casino over there," said Stafford. "Last time we were there, Dennis Rodman was hanging out in the crowd smoking cigars and yelling at all the women. So it should be a pretty good time I think."

Listen to Feufollet Play 'Au Fond Du Lac' at the Blue Moon Saloon