BIOS

Whereas most up-and-coming Cajun bands borrow from the leaders of the pack (The Balfa Brothers, Joe Falcon and Cléoma Breaux, Nathan Abshire, etc.), Isle Dernière is an exception to the rule — their roots lie in classic rock and delta blues (Led Zeppelin, Robert Johnson, Jimi Hendrix, Skip James, etc.). They came together in August 2008, with singer and rhythm guitarist Rocky McKeon from Houma and lead guitarist Brian Berry from Thibodaux. The complete opposite of all the fais do-do, two-step, zydeco acts that are permeating the Cajun music scene at this time, the duo uses a refreshing, back-to-basics approach, both musically and visually. The band considered several names before agreeing on Isle Dernière.


Rocky McKeon
A strong defender of Cajun French, Rocky hails from Robinson Canal, La. He has dedicated himself to reviving Cajun French. He believes that Cajun French could eventually be released from the ICU if Louisiana would make the proper diagnosis.

Rocky is La Brise du Bayou!, the pionneer of Cajun French hip-hop and the creator of websites such as Le Tabloid Cadien! and TVTL.tv Télévision Terrebonne-LaFourche. His musical influences are vast and he doesn't like to choose favorites. He particularly likes rock music from the 60's and 70's with a little hip-hop and rockin' country thrown in for good measure.

He has spent the past few years producing many different types of electronic media, websites and short videos. He is an author of short stories in Cajun French and most recently acted as a consultant for the Dictionary of Louisiana French and provided the French translation of the book hearoffact by Karin Eberhardt which was released in September 2008. He has also assisted with multiple research projects at Tulane University and was featured in the September 2007 issue of Point of Vue magazine and in the February 2008 issue of Le Gaboteur.

Brian Berry
Musically Brian’s played on and off for the past 18 years. While in high school he joined the band “Crumb.” He continued rocking on with bands such as “Jargon,” “Bleach,” “Gossamer” — who he recorded a CD with and played at House of Blues in New Orleans , La. — and “Trial by Stone.”

His musical influences come from many different styles like classic rock, hard rock, metal, blues, jazz, funk and Cajun music. By learning to speak Cajun French through music, Brian is paying homage to his ancestors and to the people who made him who he is today.

“We have a very unique and exciting heritage here in south Louisiana – the food, the people, the music,” said Brian. “Why should we stop speaking this language? I hope that Isle Dernière’s unique style of music can help a wider range of people — especially younger people — become exposed to our culture. The language is disappearing just like the wetlands are. Let’s not let it slip away.”


Dustin Schultz
Dustin has been performing music since the age of 9. He started playing saxophone in the school band, and eventually moved toward the guitar by age 12. In high school at the age of 15, he picked up the bass guitar and began playing in a band called Dustbunny which went on to win the high school talent competition. For the last five years, he's written songs and played guitar, bass and keyboard with Kid'O. In 2008, he worked on and off for the Chee Weez.