Elation Podcast

Julia Heath is the Policy and Outreach Manager for the New Orleans Mayor’s Office of Nighttime Economy. We dig into how New Orleans can be not just the birthplace of American music, but the place it’s headed, and cover Julia’s path from venue work to Covid-era advocacy, why coalition-building saved independent stages, and how the “music ecosystem” powers bars, restaurants, hotels, and tourism across the city.

We get specific on solutions: the public New Orleans Music Census (and what 1,500+ voices told us), the Music Census Sessions with The Ella Project and NOPL, and practical routes for artists: brand/EPK basics, touring, and sync. We also face the tough stuff: housing, weather risk, and policy uncertainty, plus the need for workforce pipelines and stronger city-state coordination. Together, we reflect on how collaboration, advocacy, and creative development can secure the future of New Orleans music for generations to come.

Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home. 

Follow Elation Entertainment

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/

Website: https://www.elationent.com

Tarriona “Tank” Ball is a Grammy-award winning artist and the lead singer of Tank and the Bangas. On The Elation Podcast with host David Adams, we dive straight into her New Orleans roots, how a neighborhood girl group and spoken word shaped her voice, and why blending poetry with melody is core to her artistry. We talk community support, national breakout moments like Tiny Desk and late-night TV, and the real work of staying original when the industry wants easy boxes.

We also get into imagination in a copy-paste era, what AI can’t touch about human performance, and how New Orleans culture fuels everything she makes. Tank teases her new poetry book, The Thing About Falling, and a near-finished album built for live, interactive shows. If you’re here for creativity that’s bold, soulful, and unmistakably New Orleans, you’re in the right place.

Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home. 

Follow Elation Entertainment

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/

Website: https://www.elationent.com

Kate Duncan is the Director of the School of Music & Theater Professions and the Conrad Hilton Chair in Music Industry at Loyola University New Orleans. We sit down with her and host David Adams to unpack her path from classical singer to jazz educator, how Loyola readies students for real careers, and why craft, confidence, and business savvy matter as much as talent.

We dig into AI’s role in songwriting/production, copyright pitfalls, Dolby Atmos and immersive audio, and why New Orleans’ live scene and festival partnerships are the best classroom. We talk experiential learning, keeping the “fun” in the work (even with all the emails and spreadsheets), and the push to strengthen creative infrastructure so more graduates build their futures right here in the city that built American music.

Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home. 

Follow Elation Entertainment

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/

Website: https://www.elationent.com

Adam Matasar is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group at Jones Walker. We sit down with Adam to dig into the sweet spot where law, music, and New Orleans culture collide, from Adam’s path as a classically trained musician to a deal-making entertainment and transactions attorney. We get straight into protecting artists’ rights, smart contracts and negotiations, how independent creators can build leverage, and why social and streaming have shifted power away from old-school gatekeepers.

We also talk the real-world impact of AI on music and legal work, catalog sales and venture capital bets, NIL and the changing sports landscape, and why authenticity (and live performance) still wins. If you’re a creator, producer, or entrepreneur looking to protect your work and scale your brand, this one’s packed with practical gems. Watch the full conversation and subscribe for more bold, creative stories from the Elation Podcast. 

Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home. 

Follow Elation Entertainment

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/

Website: https://www.elationent.com

Julia Holt is an entertainment attorney and the founder of Julia Holt Law. She shares her journey from growing up in Gretna, Louisiana, to studying jazz piano and music business, and eventually building a career in law and artist advocacy. She sits down with us to explain why protecting intellectual property is critical for musicians, from copyright registration and split sheets to performance royalties and sync opportunities.

We dive into the challenges and opportunities facing independent artists in New Orleans, the importance of financial literacy, and the need to approach music with both creativity and entrepreneurship. Julia also discusses her sync company, offering insights into how local artists can position themselves for placements in film and TV. Listen now to explore how artistry and business intersect, and what steps every creator should take to secure their future in music.

Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home. 

Follow Elation Entertainment

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/

Website: https://www.elationent.com

Scott Borne is the co-owner of New Orleans Record Press and a longtime advocate for the city’s vibrant music scene. We sit down with him to talk about his journey back to New Orleans just before Katrina, his work with WWOZ, and how he turned his passion for music into a career dedicated to supporting artists. From community rebuilding through live events to his role as music director, Scott shares how timing, resilience, and love for local culture shaped his path.

We also dive into the resurgence of vinyl and why physical media still matters in today’s digital landscape. Scott breaks down the pressing process, the business realities for independent musicians, and how tangible records connect fans more deeply to artists. Tune in as we explore the intersection of culture, business, and passion in New Orleans music.

Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home. 

Follow Elation Entertainment

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/

Website: https://www.elationent.com

Cav “Kilobauud” is a DJ and creator of Set de Flo, and Vick is an artist and event producer. We get straight into New Orleans roots, LA lessons, and the real gap between local talent and industry infrastructure, from DIY hustle and content workflows to why major musicians often live at extremes of sobriety or excess, and how discipline turns creativity into a career.

We also dig into Set de Flo’s mission to build community, educate audiences on Black dance music, and create spaces where artists can record, film, and work faster. This conversation is packed with candid stories, practical takeaways for independent artists, and a clear-eyed look at what it takes to thrive in New Orleans today. Listen now to hear how we’re pushing the culture forward and subscribe for more conversations on the Elation Podcast.

Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home. 

Follow Elation Entertainment

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/

Website: https://www.elationent.com

Alaina Dunn is the Program Director at The COOL Cooperative, a nonprofit dedicated to giving young people a voice through film education. We dig into her path from New Orleans to LSU to New York acting (yes, Law & Order and an Ice-T story), why she stepped behind the camera, and how COOL equips youth with real film skills and a strong creative voice. We talk curriculum that blends film history with hands-on production, the value of learning analog fundamentals, and how New Orleans’ film and music legacy shapes the next generation.

We also get into where the industry is heading, including streaming, AI, and why audience taste still matters, plus tangible outcomes from COOL students. If you care about building a sustainable local film ecosystem and investing in young creators, this one’s for you.

Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home. 

Follow Elation Entertainment

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/

Website: https://www.elationent.com

Danovan Calhoun-Bettis is the Director of Engagement and Partnerships at MaCCNO, the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans. We sit down with him to talk about his journey growing up in the Seventh Ward, how his early start in music shaped his path, and the role he plays today in advocating for artists and culture bearers across the city. From church gigs and jazz studies to leading his own band, Danovan’s story shows the hustle, heart, and creativity that keep New Orleans culture alive.

We also dig into his work at MaCCNO, where he’s helping pass policies that protect local musicians, fight for fair pay, and make sure culture has a seat at the table. Danovan shares his vision for building stronger connections between artists, community, and city leaders, and his hopes for preserving New Orleans culture in the face of corporate and economic pressures.

Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home. 

Follow Elation Entertainment

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/

Website: https://www.elationent.com

Joel Hitchcock is a festival producer, who recently helped to produce the inaugural Smoove Fest, and the owner of Paradigm Gardens. He shares how his journey from Milwaukee to New Orleans turned into a lifelong connection with the city’s culture, music, and community. From teaching after Katrina to discovering his passion for reggae and Caribbean music, Joel walks us through how he went from DJing late nights to producing major events like NOLA Caribbean Fest and Smooth Fest.

We talk about the deep cultural ties between New Orleans and reggae, the importance of infrastructure for artists, and how collaboration with leaders like Raj Smoove has helped grow platforms for local creatives. Joel also gives us a look at what’s ahead for Paradigm Gardens, NOLA Reggae Fest, and Savor the City, while highlighting why New Orleans’ openness and creativity make it unlike anywhere else.

Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home. 

Follow Elation Entertainment

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/

Website: https://www.elationent.com