'A big culture pot': Singer-songwriter Foy Vance plays and eats his way through Baton Rouge

Louisiana’s state capital Baton Rouge is one of the most eclectic cities on the Mississippi, thanks in part to its unique Creole and Cajun cultures.

Singer-songwriter Foy Vance is on a journey around the US to experience the best music, food and culture on offer. During his visit to Baton Rouge, he wanted to understand more about the city's distinct identity and how these cultures have endured in the modern age, particularly in the music.

To get properly introduced to the city, he first grabbed a bite to eat with local music legend Sean Ardoin.

"So in Louisiana, you have a Creole and Cajun population. Originally and authentically, the definition of Creole is born outside of the country of origin. So the music it's a mix of accordion music, you know, with everything that we've been exposed to. And then I took it a step further," Sean told Notes from the USA.

"So I created a genre called Creole Rock and Soul. It's a whole new genre. And as soon as I changed to Creole Rock and Soul, I got two Grammy nominations for my 2018 CD. And I've gotten two Grammy nominations since then. So I think I'm on the right path."

Although Baton Rouge is the state's capital city, it might not be the first place that springs to mind when thinking about Louisiana. The city of New Orleans - just a 45-minute drive away - is also famed for its rich musical heritage and finger-licking food. 

But Sean insists that "everything west of New Orleans is just as important."

"You can experience everything. The capital city has a little bit of a taste of the whole state. You know, in Baton Rouge, you can see live music pretty much from Wednesday to Sunday. On the Live at Five or the Downtown Live."

"The Zydeco culture, the Creole culture, the Cajun culture in