Obligations at the Lounge

Howie and Scully head over to Dr. Bob's compound to chat with the legendary folk artist.  They find out about his time working at Hubig's Pies in his teens,  how one piece of art inspired him to quit his job and become an artist, why his gallery is a "Simon free zone," how he saved Josh Cohen from being shot by Gatemouth Brown,  and his affection for pre-rolled joints.

Coleman's Swing Set Septet provides two live tracks from their show at BJ's April 4, 2024.  

Howie and Scully  set up in the middle of the Music Box for an interview  with Executive  Director Leah Hennessy about it's past, present and future.  They discuss the collaborative nature of everything they do, some of the epic performances over the years, how the Meridian Brothers brought BJ's and Music Box together, and, yes, the recent dust up with comedian Eric Andre.   Leah also releases some big news!!! Tif Lamson drops in for an important public service announcement.  

The Mike Dillon and James Singleton Duo provide to live tracks from their December 29, 2023 show at Bj's.

Howie and Scully discuss working in Commander's Palace vs Doggie Daycare, the grand opening of BJ's Ninth Ward Backyard, and the great new record from Whip Appeal.

They interview Krewe of Red Beans' Devin De wulf about the origins of the Krewe, how beans once burned down  Beanlandia,  the evolution of the krewe from parade into social aid, how skills learned from teaching continue to benefit him in his current endeavors, why some rules aren't really rules and the value of a good hard ponder.  

Devin explains Bean Coin, Feed the Secondline (and Frontline), Get Lit Stay Lit,  and how he deals with trials that come with being a public person trying make a positive impact on the community.  

Whip Appeal provides three songs from their new record, Shimmering Seed!!!

Howie and Scully discuss purification through illness or DMT, how its hard to get anything done from the outside, the difference between sober and drunken Mardi Gras, and release some big news about the future of the podcast.

They interview the multi-talented Brittany Silva about her job as archivist at the main branch of the New Orleans Library, how Sister Street got its name, whether Mid-City is the 7th best neighborhood in the world, and whether she will join Obligations at the Lounge as our new head of research.

New music from Brittany's own band, Night Medicine!!!

Howie and Scully interview Bailey and Josh about upcoming Mardi Gras shows, the band's origins, songwriting in bars, love of the 9th Ward, why you shouldn't let the 40's stay at your house when on tour, using an answering machine to write songs, energy v. virtuosity when performing, and their upcoming new release!!!

They provide three new studio recordings!!!

Howie and Scully go to Vaughan's and interview the matriarch of the neighborhood about 42 years of bar ownership at Dauphine and Lesseps.  They discuss the upcoming Lesseps Street Block Party, how a banana tree became a bar,  antics from navy chiefs, the plus's and pitfalls of barroom romances, and how Thursdays at Vaughan's became the hottest in the city.

Miss Martha and Her Goodtime Gang provide two hot live at BJ's tracks!!!

Scully and Howie conduct their first remote interview from the fabled Sister Street House.  They interview Johnny Loretta about having just recently acquired the house (Like the day before!!!)  and discuss how the space became central to the rise of the ever expanding Holy Cross Music scene.  Its huge!!!

Chris Acker and We Hate Lindsay provide two hot live at BJ's tracks!!!

TWO INTERVIEWS!!!  First, Howie and Scully discuss their field trip to a City Planning Commission meeting on Blue Oak — What fun!!! Then back to the Lounge they interview Jane about how it feels to be the reigning BJ's Bye Week Cook off Champion  for two out of the last three years and how we'll need an extradition treaty to get that trophy back.  We also discuss the role community food plays in a neighborhood bar.  

In our second interview we take a deep dive into the immediate neighborhood by calling on Jennifer Callan to provide a tutorial on the "Barmuda triangle" explaining the characteristics of BJ's, Vaughan's, and J&J's.  They come to the conclusion that each bar is unique, but when one is hit with trouble, the others are there to help.

We dedicate this episode to the memory of Jim Nevius — The Jim in J&J's — You were always the "Catalyst for a fun."

AFTER 23 YEARS, DBA HAS CHANGED HANDS!!!  Howie and Scully talk to the great Tom Thayer about why he sold the business, how Frenchman Street has changed over the years, what it takes to book great bands, the importance of a solid staff, and how to get a puking Scully of his hand and knees and back on stage.  

Max and the Martians provide two hot live tracks!!!

In this giving thanks episode, Howie and Scully discuss a successful Americana Fest, the upcoming Palestinian fundraiser, the desire to Cajun two-step,  and some of the visual art that lives at the Lounge.  They interview Rebel Carr about coming to BJ's in 1981, neighborhood broom factories, helping Scully during the aftermath of Katrina, and his life as a deckhand, truck driver, and folk artist.

We hear two live at BJ's cuts from the Daiquiri Queens!!!