Minos the Saint

Minos the Saint is not what you would call a “traditional” southern Louisiana band. Though Baton Rouge is home, the ensemble plays mostly original music, with a variety of influences which yield experimental-yet-accessible original folk rock, uniquely representing Louisiana and the world. Cajun and Zydeco roots are joined by Latin, Jazz, and Eastern European styles, along with the group's shared classical background. Founded in 2013, Minos the Saint uses a variety of timbres including voice, guitar, piano, drums, violin, mandolin, and a brass section, and like the accordion of founding member, Ben Herrington, the band can expand and contract to play to any audience.

“Minos the Saint has channeled their wide range of Louisiana and world influences into a thorough delivery of stunning songs, performances and wholeheartedness.” (Jive Flamingo)

 

Band members include

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• Peter Simon on vocals and guitar

• Ben Herrington on accordion, keyboards, and trombone

• Micah Blouin on percussion and vocals

• Joel Willson on violin and mandolin

• Arisia Gilmore on French horn

 

Since the band began playing in 2013, it has shared bills with Phosphorescent, Robert Ellis, Wild Child, Brass Bed, Moon Honey, Cardinal Sons, The Brad Walker Quintet, Crystal Bright & the Silver Hands, Mississippi Rail Co., Prom Date, England in 1819, Belle Adair, The Mercy Brothers, and Rareluth.

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Minos the Saint released its debut full length album, Awake and Dream, in February 2016. 

 

In 2019 Minos the Saint completed their first tour up the Eastern Side of the U.S., stopping in Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Washington D.C, and New York.. The tour ended with a performance at Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA. 
 

Throughout the year, Minos the Saint performs at venues across South Louisiana, namely in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Lafayette. In 2016, a Peter and Ben were finalists at Eddie's Attic Songwriters competition. 

With versatility in size and instrumentation, the band conforms to listening rooms with seating for 50, theaters with a capacity of 300 plus, as well as outdoor venues and festivals. The band has performed at numerous festivals across the region, including French Quarter Fest, North Gate Fest, Fest For All, Sunday in the Park; and venues such as The Varsity Theatre, The Spanish Moon, Gasa Gasa, Artmosphere, The House of Blues, Republic New Orleans, Chickie Wah Wah, Red Dragon Listening Room, The Marigny Opera House, The Allways Lounge, The Hi-Ho, and Cafe Istanbul. The band has also played Atlanta, GA venues including Eddie’s Attic and Red Light Cafe. 
 

 

The Completely Un-True Story of Minos the Saint

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Every nine years, King Minos had a dozen plus young spirits cast into his famed labyrinth to feed the Minotaur, a metaphor of man vs wild manifest into a horrific monster. Of course, we only know this story because of the heroics that led the youngsters back out, newly wizened with the Knowledge of the Maze. In that way, Minos gave them the greatest of gifts.

One does not really know the members of Baton Rouge's Minos the Saint survived the beast, but one quick listen reveals their mastery of the labyrinthine. A chamber-folk group, if you must, Minos the Saint is a windswept charm assault, a romantic tornado of violins and accordions, French horns and trombones and guitar, the heart of the beast cast into the heavens as a sonic constellation. They are very good.

If one must grasp for comparisons, they are like Simon and Garfunkle at their most intricate amended to include Antonio Jobim and Philip Glass and Van Dyke Parks and maybe a wizard. A handsome wizard with a past and a future in your heart.

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-Bio written by Alex Cook

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