The Coop, Episode No. 55
LES GRENOUILLES DE JUILLET
The soundtrack of dusk in Louisiana on a July evening is a unique chorus that can be heard through the thick, heavy humidity. The steady trill of cicadas filling the warm evening air, with the call of frogs (les grenouilles) from the bayous, ponds, and roadside ditches create a drone that rises with the fading light. Things feel pretty still around here in July, but that sound never fails to rise up from the heat as the sun disappears. Our featured guests this month, the Babineaux Sisters, are two women who know this feeling and sound well, and have managed to integrate it into their music. Their music takes on the unique feeling of Louisiana - from their experience as Acadiana natives and French speakers, to their background in geology and cultual advocacy, their music is unique to them and honors traditional Cajun themes and musical ideas while remaining firmly rooted in the original songwriting. Take a listen and put on their newest track ‘Grenouille’ as the sun goes down, and see if you feel it too!
Meet…
THE BABINEAUX SISTERS
Hailing from Cow Island, LA, The Babineaux Sisters have been playing music together with their band for over
a decade, bringing their Cajun sound to audiences far and wide. At the helm of the band are the dynamic sisters, Gracie and Julie Babineaux. Gracie commands the stage as the lead vocalist, accordionist, and fiddler, while Julie holds down the rhythm on bass and contributes back-up vocals. What sets the Babineaux Sisters’ music apart is their unique approach to songwriting (in both French and English) that reflects their Cajun heritage but also the influence of modern music. In contrast to many of the bands on the Cajun circuit today, almost all of their material is original. Together, the Babineaux Sisters Band has left their mark on stages across Louisiana, Florida, Texas, and even as far as Canada.
Their performances have graced renowned festivals such as Congres de Mondial 2024, Carrefour Mondial De L'Accordion, Festival International, French Quarter Festival, Acadiens et Creoles, and Festival du Voyageur in Winnipeg,
Manitoba. With four successful albums to their name, a Nashville chart-topping album with “He’s One of Those”and their latest release "Sans Souliers", the Babineaux Sisters Band continues to assert their position as trailblazers in the world of Cajun music.
Away from the stage, the Babineaux sisters are equally devoted to preserving and promoting Louisiana’s rich cultural and natural heritage.
Dr. Gracie Babineaux is a geologist whose passion for Louisiana extends beyond music to the state’s distinctive landscapes and waterways. She sometimes works with the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper, an organization dedicated to exploring the unique geology of the Atchafalaya Basin while educating the public about one of Louisiana’s most significant and ecologically important natural treasures.
Julie Babineaux has likewise built a career centered on celebrating Louisiana’s culture. A former Vermilion Parish educator, she developed the "Lâche Pas" curriculum for local middle schools, introducing students to the state’s heritage through French language, music, and cultural traditions. Last month, she was appointed executive director of the Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission, where she now leads efforts to promote the parish’s history, culture, and attractions to visitors from around the world. She also hosts the cultural radio program Quoi Ça Dit? on KRVS Radio Acadie, continuing her longstanding commitment to preserving and sharing Louisiana’s unique Cajun and Creole heritage.
Inspired by the Atchafalaya Basin Soundscapes and Dr. Gracie’s work as a basin geologist,, this track mimics the familiar sound of frogs croaking at dusk. In "Grenoullie", the sisters use the fiddle and bass to create a trance that will bring you to the Atchafalaya Basin from wherever you are.
Cow Island Seafood Cornbread
from the babineaux family kitchen
This recipe comes to us from Julie & Gracie’s mother Shannon Babineaux, straight from the Forked Island / Cow Island area in Vermilion Parish, near Lafayette, Louisiana - this is a family favorite that can be paired with any main dish, year round! Always a simple crowd pleaser that can be modified for whatever seafood you have easily available.
prep time: 30 mins
cook time: 40 mins at 350°
Ingredients:
2 boxes jiffy corn bread, baked per box instructions
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
4 tablespoons butter
1 can cream of mushroom (10 oz)
1 can cream of shrimp
1 1/4 cup water
3 cups seafood (shrimp, crawfish, crab, oyster)
instructions:
Sautee vegetables, then add in the soups. Once blended, add chosen seafood. Cook on low for 10 minutes. Crumble cornbread into mixture. Pour into a 9 x 13 dish, and bake at 350° for 40-minutes.
LAGNIAPPE!
a little something extra for y’all
remembering accordion builder clarence “junior’ martin (1940-2026)
Clarence “Junior” Martin left an unforgettable mark on Cajun music as both a talented musician and a master accordion maker whose handcrafted instruments are played around the world. His accordions are some of the most celebrated and recognized single row diatonic accordions out there. Over his lifetime, he performed with more than 50 bands, earned a place in the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, and helped preserve Cajun music through his craftsmanship and dedication to the tradition. Beyond music, he was a successful builder, devoted family man, and respected member of the Acadiana community. His legacy lives on through the countless musicians he inspired and the iconic accordions that continue to carry his sound forward.
‘on our watch’ podcast
On Our Watch is a podcast that examines Louisiana’s coastal land loss crisis and the ways in which it impacts our communities, industries and culture. The podcast explores issues facing the Louisiana coast through conversations with local residents, community leaders, and experts. It’s a great resource to learn more about the unique geological situation our coast faces.
One of their episodes features Dean Wilson, the Executive Director and Founder of Atchafalaya Basinkeeper. A member organization of Waterkeeper Alliance, Atchafalaya Basinkeeper’s mission is to protect and restore the swamps, lakes, rivers, streams and bayous of the Atchafalaya Basin for future generations. Dean is deeply passionate about the Atchafalaya Basin, and this podcast gives us some background on what exactly it is and why it’s so important to our ecosytem.
We hope you enjoyed this edition of the Coop – we’ll see you next month
Have Feedback? Have ideas for a story you’d like us to cover, or a topic you’d like to learn more about? We’d LOVE to hear from you! Write us at bonjour@valcourrecords.com or using at the contact form at the bottom of this page and we’ll be more than happy to get back to you.
The Coop is produced through a partnership between Valcour Records and Atchafalaya National Heritage Area as well as with support from the Acadiana Center for the Arts ARTSpark Grant, and from the Arhoolie Foundation.