In 2004, as Tropical Storm Matthew dawdled above South Louisiana’s coastline, Houma bluesman Tab Benoit and a group of strong-willed Cajuns shrugged off the showers, stepped on to the stage and threw a hurricane party for the ages: the first Voice of the Wetlands Festival. In the eight years since, the VOW Fest has grown from a grassroots community project to a full-fledged wetlands conservation rally. Likewise, Benoit has grown from a regional favorite to a Grammy-nominated recording artist — all the while championing the VOW’s initiative musically and politically as the leader of the Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars band. On the eve of the 2012 Voice of the Wetland Festival, Look-Ka Py Py Podcast host Zachary Young caught up with Benoit as he crossed the New Mexico desert, his home, his cause and his festival in his sights.