Dustin Dale Gaspard heads to Canada to play music, learn the culture

Dustin Dale Gaspard, 32, is a full-time Cow Island musician who describes his music as “Bilingual Acoustic Roots.” He plays harmonica, banjo and acoustic guitar performing his songs and singing in Cajun French and English.
Gaspard answered questions about his career and explained why he is moving to Canada at the end of the month. 

Over the last 10 years, how has your style of music changed?

I think it’s matured and grown to reflect more elements of music from home. The stories have evolved from being about cryptic heartbreak to love and gratitude for what I see and experience daily.
Having a girlfriend leave you and losing your grandparents are two-way different types of heartbreak, so in that regard, I’ve experienced heavier loss but learned to love harder as well.

Where have you played since you released your last album two years ago?

Regionally, I perform cover gigs because its more supported in this area. It’s a shame that I rarely had a lucrative opportunity to share songs I’ve written about this place, but I’m lucky to perform still and pay my bills. I’ve had to leave to  meet people intrigued by the stories of my home, but one day, I hope to get a request for my songs instead of “Play, Morgan Wallen!”

How far have you traveled to play for a night?

14 hours- I have done that several times. I left for Kansas City on Thursday to play for 45 minutes, but I’ll be playing my music because that’s what they want to hear. In doing so, I’ll support Louisiana, which alone is enough reason to make it happen. Several times, I’ve left for Austin to play for 20 minutes and then drive back home. God has blessed me on that journey- so as long as I can, I will.

I saw you played at the Jazz Festival.  How was that experience?

I played Jazzfest in 2023. It was a great experience, and I hope to return. People passing through were so supportive of what they heard. Often, too many music “politics” are involved in booking prestigious festivals like Jazzfest. It’s always about who you know—here’s to meeting the right people again.

It has been two years since you released your last album about cooking in the kitchen. When is your next album coming out? What will be the name of the album?

Grammy considers records hard to make, and I’m an extremely critical person of my art. That said, my newest album, “Avec Le Courant,” is about 60% complete. I’m currently raising money to help finish it. It’s a goal to release it by March of next year at the latest. It’s a handful doing all this alone, so I’ve learned to take my time and focus on creating a successful launch.

You announced you are going to Nova Scotia on June 22. Why there? Is the country a hotbed for the style of music you play?

Nova Scotia (and most of Northeast Canada) is, in fact, much more receptive to all of my music, especially the album that I’m currently working on.
 There are several reasons for me to be there, including furthering my knowledge of the French language by studying at the University of Saint Anne, touring and performing for festivals and concerts throughout the area, embarking on a Pilgrimage to the land of my ancestors, bringing the art I’m currently creating full circle, and immersing myself in French culture to retain and complete the songs from my upcoming record. 
Oh, and beating this south Louisiana heat.

Are you going there to be a musician and play music? 

I’m always going everywhere to do both those things. It’s all I can do.

Was it a hard decision to leave South Louisiana and head to Canada?

It’s not been easy. My family and my home mean more to me than anything else, but this has been a long time coming. My grandparents raised me, and they kept me here. After their passing, I feel they are guiding most of the decisions that lead my career to prosper. 
I pray to them and thank them every day. Their wisdom is in my heart, and experiencing a lack of support for original songwriter music here, I must venture to share these stories and further my journey as an artist. I’m not trying to be a pop star. I’m not trying to find an abundance of fame. I’m writing and sharing songs that make you take pride in yourself, your story, and your work. And civilization is spread more by singing than anything else, so that’s what I’ll do. When I return, I hope to bring that back and be a pillar for another artist like me to do the same.

Do you speak French? 
Je ne peaux pas parler en Francias. J’ecrit mes chansons en francais mais I can’t speak it, yes!!

Did you give yourself a timetable for how long you plan on staying? I read that you wrote for forever. Is there some truth to that?

I’m pretty sure I didn’t say forever but instead said, “I have no plans to return.” If I have a reason to, I will. If there is an opportunity that supports my career, I will. But as of now, my only opportunity to succeed is way past the crawfish ponds.

What is going to be your hardest challenge living in Canada?

 I’ve seen le beau soleil find rest from the sepia dreams of Venice Beach, California, shimmer on the silver skylines of New York City, and twinkle across the Atlantic in Court Macsherry, Ireland. 
I doubt Canada can hold a candle to any of those places, let alone outshine the summer sunset of my home. There are no sunsets like the ones in Vermilion Parish. Watching it and not feeling lonesome for the land that raised me will be a challenge.