Tune In, Turn On
New Orleans and Louisiana have produced generations of influential musicians, and several have performed at the Jersey Shore through concerts presented by Tony Mart’s Carmen and Nancy Marotta.
Tab Benoit, Ivan Neville and Dumpstaphunk, Bonerama, George Porter Jr. and the Runnin’ Pardners, Soul Project NOLA, Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience, and John “Papa” Gros have appeared on the Atlantic City Boardwalk or in Somers Point this summer — all in free concerts.
Flow Tribe will join that list when the New Orleans funk-rock band performs at Lundi Gras on the Boardwalk at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31.
Formed in 2004, Flow Tribe blends funk, rock, soul, R&B and other styles rooted in the city’s musical traditions. Tune In Turn On recently spoke with K.C. O’Rorke, the band’s vocalist and trumpet player, about its history, influences and future.
Doug Deutsch: New Orleans has one of the country’s most celebrated music scenes. Where does Flow Tribe fit within the city’s musical heritage?
K.C. O’Rorke: I think we see ourselves as part of the next chapter of that story. New Orleans has such a deep musical heritage, from jazz and brass bands to funk, soul, R&B, hip-hop and everything in between. The beautiful thing is that the music here has never stayed in one lane. That melting-pot quality is a huge part of who Flow Tribe is.
We’re not trying to recreate what came before us. We’re trying to take that New Orleans spirit — the groove, second-line energy and sense of community — and push it forward in our own way.
A lot of our music is about making people move and creating the feeling you get at a New Orleans parade or club show, where there is eventually no separation between the band and the audience.
We feel lucky to have grown up here and learned from the musicians who came before us. Being part of that heritage means respecting the history while adding our own piece to it. Hopefully, years from now, somebody hears a Flow Tribe song and says, “Yeah, that’s New Orleans.” That would mean we did our job.
Deutsch: How did Flow Tribe first come together?
O’Rorke: It started organically. A bunch of us were friends at Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, and we would hang out after school and jam. We weren’t thinking about building a professional band. We were young guys who loved music and playing together.
Then graduation happened, and everybody scattered to colleges and different parts of the country. We figured that was probably the end of it.
Then Hurricane Katrina happened.
We all returned to New Orleans to help our families and community rebuild. Seeing the city go through that made us realize how much New Orleans — and its music and culture — meant to us.
We started playing together again, and it quickly became more than something fun to do. It felt like a way to contribute to the rebuilding and bring some energy and joy back to the city.
Deutsch: Which musicians have influenced Flow Tribe?
O’Rorke: There are many, and I think that is part of what makes Flow Tribe sound like Flow Tribe. We’ve never been a band that lives in one musical box. New Orleans itself is probably our biggest influence, but so many artists have shaped us.
The Meters are a major influence. That deep New Orleans funk is in our DNA. Dr. John is another. We love his combination of funk, soul and blues, along with his unmistakable New Orleans personality.
George Porter Jr. and the Neville Brothers are also major influences. They showed us how powerful a groove can be without making it overly complicated. Seeing Dr. John or George Porter Jr. at the Maple Leaf showed us what New Orleans music is supposed to feel like.
Outside New Orleans, our influences include James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, Earth, Wind & Fire, and classic soul and funk. Hip-hop also became an important part of our musical upbringing.
Working with rapper and producer Mannie Fresh on the single “Like a Boss” was especially meaningful because his music was part of the soundtrack of growing up in New Orleans.
We don’t sit down and say, “Let’s sound like the Meters.” It is more subconscious. You grow up in New Orleans hearing this music on the radio, at festivals, in clubs and at backyard parties, and it becomes part of how you understand rhythm.
Then you add rock, R&B, Latin music, hip-hop and whatever else you are listening to, and it all comes out in the gumbo. That is the Flow Tribe philosophy. Our primary influences include Allen Toussaint, Dr. John and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Deutsch: What can listeners expect from your latest recordings?
O’Rorke: We are releasing singles from our new live album, “Unleashed,” over the next few months. It was recorded at the 2026 French Quarter Festival.
Deutsch: Where do you envision Flow Tribe five years from now?
O’Rorke: We hope to continue bringing our music to every corner of the globe. Spreading joy and connecting through music is our ultimate goal.
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com
