"Holy Water, Dirty Guitars & Louisiana Strange"
(Artist Report)
Written by: Melody Brown
The Amazing Nuns are an independent, cult favorite group from Lafayette, Louisiana, founded by multi-instrumentalist Justin Robinson. The band represents something that Lafayette, Louisiana has historically done exceptionally well…Music. Robinson, who came up in the world of punk rock in his hometown of Thibodaux, moved to the Lafayette area with a vision.
The band has never been entirely defined by a fixed lineup, evolving through different combinations of musicians over the years, with players such as Paula Robinson, Philippe Billeaudeaux, Matt Perry and Rachel Perry becoming important parts in the equation. Each bringing their own taste. Juxtaposing elements of Black Flag, Frank Zappa, Dead Kennedy’s, Steely Dan, and Pink Floyd, The Amazing Nuns let something entirely new emerge from the collision!
There’s something magnetic about The Amazing Nuns. Their music feels unpredictable, theatrical, and unapologetically rooted in rock & roll, but beneath the spectacle is something much simpler…friendship, freedom, and the joy of creating something together.
I wanted to find out what drives the band, where some of their influences come from, and how they see their place within Lafayette's growing musical landscape.
What is it like finding other people who share the same creative vision and goals?
“We are lucky to have found others who share the same goals as us. It's nice that we can all get along, and we are all very good friends. We just have fun playing together, and enjoy finding what we can come up with next.”
Are there any artists or performers who have had a particularly strange or unexpected influence on the band?
“Klaus Nomi.”
How would you describe the experience of seeing The Amazing Nuns perform?
“We don't really know because we cannot experience it like the audience does. By looking at the audience, you might feel like you are tripping on a high-speed merry-go-round. Really, it's all just Rock and Roll.”
How much does Lafayette and South Louisiana culture influence the band's sound?
“We don't make an effort, but it is there. If we came from anywhere else in the world, it wouldn't be the same. It seeps in through our beats.”
How important is creative independence to The Amazing Nuns?
“Absolutely, it's all about nurturing your own thing. We want control. We wouldn't want to give up our freedom.”
Maybe that’s the secret to The Amazing Nuns, they aren’t trying to fit into a sound, a scene, or even a particular definition of what a band should be. They’re simply having fun, protecting their creative freedom, and letting the music take them somewhere unexpected.
In a city with a musical identity as deeply rooted as Lafayette, that kind of freedom matters. The Amazing Nuns aren’t just contributing to the local sound—they’re helping remind us that there’s always room to make something strange, personal, and entirely your own.
A special thank you to Justin and the rest of The Amazing Nuns for taking the time to share their music, perspective, and creative spirit with us.
And thank you to The Reader for continuing to support independent music journalism, and to Soundwave Music Media for creating space for independent artists and grassroots voices to be heard.
Independent music thrives because people choose to support it. Like, subscribe, share, show up, and keep discovering the artists doing things their own way. Find us at soundwavemusicmedia.net and show some love!
Music Visual
Share This story.
(Sources)
Website/EPK/Contact,
Spotify,
Youtube,
Meta,
PLAYBACK 30
Every month we put together a playback playlist with a song from each report and bring it to you. listen to the all the incredible artist we report on and subscribe on Youtube!
If you want to support the team and everything we do here at Soundwave, consider donating to The Soundwave Foundation!
Our donor base keeps us truly independent and free—no paywalls on any of our content, no corporate strings attached. Your support lets us stay focused on what matters: delivering daily coverage of the great music being made today, preserving the history that got us here, and expanding with more shows, interviews, live broadcasts, and deep dives into indie and alternative rock. Every contribution—big or small—helps fuel our growth and ensures this space remains open and accessible for fans and artists alike. Donations are tax-deductible through our nonprofit partnership with Fractured Atlas.