Cha Wa Shares the Stories and Sounds of New Orleans With the World

EDITOR'S NOTE: This feature originally appeared in the Summer 2021 "Voice" issue of No Depression and we're resharing it in honor of New Orleans funk and traditional collective Cha Wa's new LP Rise Up, which is due out August 29 — the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Visit the No Depression store to buy a copy of the journal and learn more about the band here.

Three members of the band Cha Wa gather on a video call in their hometown of New Orleans. Founder and drummer Joe Gelini, lead vocalist Joseph Boudreaux Jr., and trumpeter, vocalist, and percussionist Aurélien Barnes joke and laugh easily, reminiscing about an intense game of Mario Kart, one of the band’s favorite after-show pastimes. But when discussion turns to the band’s album — My People, released in April 2021 via Single Lock Records — and the historical significance of Mardi Gras Indians, Boudreaux Jr.’s voice grows serious with intention, making space for reverence between each word.

The Mardi Gras Indians, also known as Black Masking Indians, participate in the annual Carnival season by dressing up in costumes inspired by ceremonial Native American apparel. Boudreaux isn’t just well versed at telling this history, he’s part of it. He’s the son of Big Chief Monk Boudreaux of the Golden Eagle tribe (one of nearly 40 Black Mardi Gras Indian “tribes” or collectives) and has been taking part in masking, the art of creating and donning the elaborate suits, since before he could walk. He’s also been performing since he was just 10 years old.