Galactic and Mary and Roland von Kurnatowski are excited to announce the band’s purchase and future stewardship of the legendary Tipitina’s nightclub. The recently finalized deal, which has been in negotiation since the beginning of the year, transfers ownership of the music venue and its business to a revered local band that cut its teeth on the Tipitina’s stage and has been playing the venue for more than 20 years. The iconic two-story yellow building on the corner of Tchoupitoulas Street and Napoleon Avenue will continue its rich tradition of hosting the most talented musicians and groups from New Orleans and the world at large. Galactic will celebrate the new chapter in Tipitina’s history with a show on New Year’s Eve later this month (show details).
“Our goal is to preserve, promote, and protect the future of New Orleans music, culture and heritage via the Tipitina’s venue and brand,” says Galactic’s Stanton Moore. “We’re so incredibly honored to be part of the team tasked to be the current caretakers of such a historic venue,” adds the band’s Ben Ellman. “My connection with the club started way before I was lucky enough to take the stage. My first job in New Orleans was at Tipitina’s as a cook in the (now defunct) kitchen. The importance of respecting what Tips means for musicians and the city of New Orleans is not lost on us. We’re excited for the future of the club and look forward to all the amazing music and good times ahead!”
“We received multiple attractive offers for Tipitina’s,” said Roland von Kurnatowski. It was really important to us to ensure that this club, the icon that is Tipitina’s, end up in the right hands. We purchased the club in 1997 and have nurtured it ever since. We’re confident that Galactic is the right fit – that they will cherish Tipitina’s and take it to the next level while protecting all that makes Tips such an authentic American cultural venue.”
News of Galactic’s purchase of Tipitina’s comes on the heels of the announcement of their forthcoming LP Already Ready Already, due out February 8th, 2019 on Tchoup-Zilla Records.
The purchase of Tipitina’s does not include the Tipitina’s Foundation, which was created by the von Kurnatowskis to support Louisiana and New Orleans’ irreplaceable music community and preserve the state’s unique musical cultures by promoting childhood music education, the professional development of adult musicians, and the increased profile and viability of Louisiana music as a cultural, educational, and economic resource.
About Tipitina’s: www.Tipitinas.com
Tipitina’s began as a neighborhood juke joint, established in 1977, by a group of young music fans (The Fabulous Fo’teen) to provide a place for Professor Longhair (aka Henry Roeland Byrd), one of the most revered rhythm and blues musicians in the legacy of New Orleans music, to perform in his final years. Many of the Crescent City’s most beloved artists developed and continue to grace the stage at Tipitina’s including Dr. John, the Neville Brothers, the Meters, Cowboy Mouth, the Radiators, Galactic, The Revivalists, and Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews. Tipitina’s has been fortunate over its history to host national artists including Wilco, Nine Inch Nails, Pearl Jam, Lenny Kravitz, Bonnie Raitt, James Brown, Widespread Panic, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tim McGraw, Goo Goo Dolls, Parliament Funkadelic, Robert Cray, Patti Smith, Willie Nelson, Buddy Guy, Dresden Dolls, and Medeski, Martin & Wood.
About the Tipitina’s Foundation: The Tipitina’s Foundation, which will remain under the stewardship of Mary and Roland von Kurnatowski, has contributed more than 3.5 Million in instruments to local schools, impacting thousands of local students. The internship program directed by Donald Harrison, Jr. has provided music focused teens with individualized guidance by experienced and accomplished musicians often leading to scholarship opportunities at the Berklee School of Music and other venues.
About Galactic: www.GalacticFunk.com
The renowned genre-bending New Orleans band’s 10th studio LP features guest appearances from Princess Shaw, Miss Charm Taylor, David Shaw, Nahko, Erica Falls, and Boyfriend. Already Ready Already follows the group’s 2015 release Into the Deep, which saw them profiled by NPR’s Weekend Edition as they celebrated their incredible two-decade career, and lead The New York Times to highlight their bonafides, writing that “Galactic has spent the last 20 years strengthening its claim as a defining New Orleans funk band”.
Galactic will hit the road next year following the new album’s release, playing shows throughout both coasts in February and March.
