NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)- Usually teachers teach and students learn, but a new musical band in New Orleans is a rare combination of a former teacher and a middle school student. News with a Twist’s Kenny Lopez introduces us to So Long Storyland.
Andrew deBuys and Sophia Preston make up the folk duo, So Long Storyland. Their name was inspired by City Park’s whimsical Storyland.
“We wanted something to live up to and something colorful,” deBuys said.
Their tunes tell Louisiana-influenced stories. Their own story of how they formed is different than one might expect.
“I would’ve never expected one of my students would be the person singing my songs that I’ve written,” he said.
Andrew was 14-year old Sophia’s music teacher at the Academy of the Sacred Heart last year.
“He was a great teacher. He was the only teacher who let me drink coffee in his class,” she said.
“I didn’t know about that,” he said.
The teacher/student dynamic is still there! Though, he quit his full-time teaching job to concentrate on his music. Andrew was looking for someone to be the voice, and that’s where Sophia fits in.
“It just sort of felt natural. We started sharing ideas and it evolved into what it is now,” she said.
“She loved music and a lot of the same music that I loved,” he said.
Through their musical bond they are bridging the gap. They are currently recording their debut album at The Music Shed studios.
Their album is scheduled to be released this summer.
To learn more about this dynamic duo:
www.reverbnation.com/solongstoryland
www.twitter.com/solongstoryland
www.instagram.com/solongstoryland