Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue were recently featured on National Geographic’s “Digital Nomad” online series.

Photo by Kim Welsh

Vanessa Niemann, lead singer of Gal Holiday, spoke with National Geographic’s Andrew Evans about the origins of her interest in rockabilly music and her affinity for covering songs written by men.

From Johnny Cash to Elvis, there has always been a tradition of crossing genders when it comes to covering classic songs, she said.

Niemann went on to list her favorite places to eat and see live music in New Orleans, citing Mid-City’s Chickie Wah Wah, Mimi’s in the Marigny, Three Muses, Rock and Bowl, Tipitina’s and an assortment St. Claude establishments.

Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue currently hold the Sunday night residency at Chickie Wah Wah and frequently perform at a number of other local venues, including Mimi’s in the Marigny and The Balcony Music Club.