Chris Mulé

Born: New Orleans, LA

Instruments: Fender Telecaster, Fender Stratocaster, Dean Resonator Steel

The name Chris Mulé might not be instantly recognizable to the casual music lover. But in his native New Orleans, he is well known among the musical cognoscenti. He has carved out a career as an ace sideman in a city crawling with gifted musicians. Adept at a variety of styles, the guitarist has played with dozens of local and national acts and is poised for a major breakout in his solo career.

Reporting from April of 2004, Keith Spera, the pop critic for the Times-Picayune in New Orleans said, "Chris Mulé has ingratiated himself with the local scene as a utility electric guitarist fluent in a number of roots music styles."

Mulé’s eclectic style draws on the influences of a variety of local legends including the finger-picking of Snooks Eaglin and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and the chicken scratch playing of Leo Nocentelli of the legendary funk band, the Meters. His other influences, particularly on the slide guitar, begin with another Southern six-stringer, the late Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers. He also cites blues guitarists like Robert Johnson, Bukka White and Albert King in addition to psychedelic warhorses like Jerry Garcia and Jimi Hendrix as having impacted his playing.

The traditional sounds of New Orleans, including jazz and brass band music have also seeped into the stew due to his regular affiliation with stalwarts of the local scene such as Kirk Joseph, the revolutionary sousaphonist and founding member of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Dr. John and jazz saxophonist, Donald Harrison, Jr. The traditional sounds of the Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans and the zydeco of the Louisiana countryside have influenced his development as well.

Besides playing a mean slide, Mulé has also developed into a keen and insightful songwriter. The eponymous Honey Island Swamp Band debut features two of these compositions, and the band’s live sets further showcase his range as a writer and his soulful singing voice. Mulé’s songwriting covers a wide range and includes bluesy jams, roots rockers as well as honky tonk romps.

Mulé has extensive experience as a sideman and has appeared on recordings by a slew of New Orleans acts. He also has extensive touring experience as a leader as well as a sideman having criss crossed the United States and parts of Canada. He has also appeared in Japan.

Performance Credits:
Eric Lindell & Company
Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown
Kirk Joseph’s Backyard Groove
Lynn Drury Band
Rockin Jake Band
Terrance Simien
Juice
All That

Discography:
Honey Island Swamp Band, Honey Island Swamp Band, 2007
Eric Lindell, Change in the Weather, 2006
Eric Lindell, Tragic Magic, 2005
Chris Mulé, The Unmetionables, 2004
Kirk Joseph’s Backyard Groove, Sousafunk Avenue, 2004
Lynn Drury, Spun, 2003
Lynn Drury, Blackberry Winter, 2002
Lynn Drury, Crossing Frequencies, 2001
Juice, Fortified, 2000
Smiley Ricks and the Indians of the Nation, Feathercraft, 1999