Highlines

Louisiana has scored another big hit for local music. Although The Highlines were formed in Los Angeles, two of the members come from the Pelican State and are captivating audiences everywhere with their catchy lyrics and hook-oriented songs. The Highlines include Derrick DeBlieux (guitars), Johnny Clancy (bass and vocals) and Danny Prince (drums). DeBlieux and Clancy left Louisiana to pursue an education in music at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood.

The Highlines include Derrick DeBlieux (guitars), Johnny Clancy (bass and vocals) and Danny Prince (drums).

DeBlieux and Clancy left Louisiana to pursue an education in music at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood.

"I moved out just after Derrick did,? Clancy said. "I just wanted a change, wanted to play some music and wanted to get out of Louisiana. I wanted to go to school, but I didn't. So, I just got together with Derrick and started playing."

Clancy and DeBlieux eventually came together to work on a solo project by former Something Corporate guitarist William Tell. Not only was this music featured on Tell's debut album, but it also was heard in the Warner Bros. major motion picture "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants."

Following the success of Tell's project, Clancy and DeBlieux decided to do their own thing. Even though the duo began writings songs and even recording material, the Highlines wasn't officially born until Prince came aboard.

Prince and DeBlieux went to school together at the Institute and were also really good friends. So, when the Highlines was looking for a drummer to complete its line-up, Prince was the first person DeBlieux called.

Although the band formed in L.A., but they have spent much of the last year living in Baton Rouge to promote their debut, self-titled album.

"It's alternative rock," DeBlieux said. "The songs are hook-oriented. It can be on the radio, but it's not the poppiest thing you've ever heard. It still has a lot of rock to it."

Because of their numerous local tours and the fact that DeBlieux and Clancy played in several bands around the Baton Rouge area before moving away, the Highlines is gaining a considerable following in the South.

"People love live music in the South, compared to the places we've seen," DeBlieux said. "I think us being from the South, we get a good response here, and we love playing here."

The band's popularity may be booming locally, but they have also garnered nationwide attention by being chosen as one of Taco Bell's 2007 "Feed the Beat" bands, for which they received free food for an entire tour. They are also currently semi-finalist in the Independent Music World Series.

With all of the national exposure, the numerous tours and the release of their album, the past year has been extremely eventful. However, the Highlines have never lost sight of what's really important: the music.

Songwriting has remained paramount to the group. For the Highlines, the quality of music comes with good lyrics and fun songs that the crowd can relate to rather than a performance with the typical rock antics.

Prince said the band is really focused on writing really good songs, rather than performing on stage.

"We write songs that people can sing along with and become a part of," he said.

The Highlines stage show may be tamer than most, but it's by no means boring.

"I think there's a pop sensibility to it," Clancy explained. "As the band matured, we've gotten more serious, but the songs are still fun, too. Most of it's pretty upbeat, and I think it's a fun stage show. It's not like we're doing flips, but it's a pretty high energy show with songs that people can relate to. It's fun music and a fun show."