Internationally acclaimed Louise Cappi is a New Orleans based singer/songwriter, recording artist and entertainer. She is the daughter of the late great New York jazz guitarist, Al Cappi. Powerful, humorous & soul stirring is the only way to describe her music and live performances. Louise is “a genre of her own.”
Music with depth is what Louise’s music and lyrics are about. An adult contemporary style with jazz, blues & rock infused flavors. Ms. Cappi’s latest single, on MTS Records, “HOPE”, has received international rave reviews and is topping music charts globally. Hold on to your seats, Louise’s album, HOPE, was released this September ’21. 1 In Music finds out more.
1 In Music: What is unique about you and your music?
Louise Cappi [LC]: I try to write lyrics with depth that inspires people to think.
Musically, I fuse Jazz, Blues, Gospel & Rock.
The goal for me is to ignite the listeners’ imagination and to lift the level of humanity in them.
1 In Music: What or who shaped your music and who supports you?
LC: First it was my dad. He taught me theory and good song structure. He always had musicians jamming in the house. I developed a “good” ear for sophisticated music like Jazz & Classical. Later, I became inspired by singer-songwriters like Joni Mitchell, Roberta Flack, Annie Lenox and Don Henley… and so many more. The musicians in my band and those I have come to know and work with here in New Orleans have been my teachers and support. My family, friends and fans have been a tremendous support as well.
1 In Music: When did you realise you were going to make music professionally?
LC: When I was in my senior year in high school, my chorus teacher asked me if I wanted to start playing clubs with him when I graduated. It was a great Summer. after I got married and started a family, I put my career on hold. I just wanted to focus on my family. When I moved to New Orleans, I slowly started to build my career back up.
1 In Music: What type of music do you listen to?
LC: I listen to and enjoy all genres of music! However, for me, it has to move me and it needs to tell a story, have good structure. And I prefer real instruments. I don’t mind simplicity or a more primitive sound, but I need to hear discipline in the work. I guess what I mean is,
I don’t appreciate lazy writing and overproduced synthetic sounds to cover up a lack of musicianship.
Don’t pee on my leg and say its raining.
1 In Music: Who, to you, is the most undervalued music artist?
LC: I know so many young musicians who have studied, practiced thousands of hours worked hard to earn master degrees and struggle to make a decent living because they are not valued. Oh sure fans and talent buys tell them they love their work but don’t pay them a wage worthy of their work. Fans will stream their music, but won’t download (buy) the music. To me that is unethical and stealing!
1 In Music: How do you prepare for your performances?
LC: Practice, practice, practice. All the hard work happens at home. when I hit the stage, that’s when the fun starts. People respond to that. Minutes before the show, I like to be quiet, meditate and pray to get centered. Every song has its own energy. It’s so cool to watch people absorb that energy by their body movements and facial expressions.
1 In Music: What do you do when you don’t do music (creative or otherwise) and that you are passionate about?
LC: Before the Covid 19 shutdown, I was serving as interfaith Chaplain for Touro Hospital in New Orleans. It was an amazing experience! I love comedy and film. For years I have been fascinated with and have been a student of ancient European and Egyptian history.
1 In Music: Success to you is…?
LC: Making music with great musicians, writing smart, beautiful songs, having thousands of people enjoy it all over the world
and thanks to my manager, Michael Stover at MTS it’s happening. I would love to tour the world, do you know a good agent? Oh yea, and make some real money would be nice too.
1 In Music: What do you wish you were told when you started out and that you think would help anyone who starts out?
LC: There are no shortcuts.
Learn your craft and work your butt off to be the best.
Network with other musicians, be bold, respectful, giving and thankful as well.
Run your own race. The rest is your own path to blaze be patient!!!!
1 In Music: Finally, please tell us about your new album, HOPE.
LC: Yes, my new album, HOPE, just dropped on September 10. I’m very excited about it. It’s nine tracks of original songs that I wrote during Covid-19 lockdown. The album is my response to what has been happening in our world. The Title track, “Hope” was released as a single in July and has received global rave reviews and chart topping status. on October 10, I will be performing at the beautiful off Broadway theater, The Triad Theater. It will be an Album release show.
HOPE is an album will that will uplift, inspirer, comfort and make you laugh as well. There are some heavy topics, like the pandemic, climate change and political unrest but we never leave the listener down in the dumps.. there is always HOPE!!!!!
Also a shout out to my amazing band, Mike Clement-guitarist, Sam Lobley-bassist, Sam Colgate-drums, Tony Seville-sax, flute & percussion, engineer, Tim Stanboug and producer, Paul Longstreth who took what I wrote and launched it to celestial heights. I wanna give props to Glen Abromson, my superman husband, who has supported me all these years through this crazy ride.
You can find what’s up with me and my music on my website, louisecappimusic.com, My music can be downloaded on all major streaming sites.