Spicy food, slow talkers and Mardi Gras are not the only things the state of Louisiana is known for.

Michael Doucet, fiddle player for the band BeauSoleil, says music is an important part of Louisiana’s culture and that the group tries to incorporate every element that has influenced Cajun music in the area.

“Our music is very American,” Doucet says. “Even though the lyrics are in French, the American influences make it familiar.”

Doucet says he formed the band in 1976 mainly to play in Louisiana and Europe — to keep a piece of culture alive that seemed to be fading.

“Music’s always been a part of my life. There weren’t any families around us growing up that didn’t have music,” Doucet says.

“It was a great way to express ourselves.”

BeauSoleil’s audience is very broad despite the fact that the group’s lyrics are in Cajun French.

“It’s like how people appreciate opera even though they don’t know Italian,” Doucet says. “Music is a natural thing that goes beyond words and seems to just carry sentiments.”

BeauSoleil’s performances mix traditional Cajun songs with contemporary influences from all genres of music including country, Celtic, jazz and Caribbean.

The styles of music comes naturally because of the different abilities and influences of each group member, Doucet says.

In order to keep the music authentic, group members have played and recorded with everyone, from Cajun fiddle legend and Doucet’s mentor Dennis McGee to Creole fiddler Canray Fontenot.

Doucet says music is more than just a profession for members of BeauSoleil.

“Music is like a way of life to us. It’s more than just songs; it’s a community or family gathering,” Doucet says.

BeauSoleil’s music is always changing and progressing, Doucet says. “Gitane Cajun” (Cajun Gypsy), BeauSoleil’s latest album, is the band’s first studio recording since 1999 and its debut album for Vanguard Records.

Doucet says this album reflects his continuing growth as a songwriter.

“You have to be aware of things around you,” Doucet says. “Or your music won’t change and evolve.”

Doucet says he writes about universal meanings and experiences everyone can relate to.

“Love lost, love gained, all things experienced in life,” Doucet says. “The music expresses how we relate to people.”

BeauSoleil will be performing with The Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans.

“We’re both from Louisiana and play similar music,” Doucet says. “Same in the sense that — we’re different but strong, and prevalent in types of music from the same area.”