Claim OwnershipObligations at the Lounge
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© 2024 Obligations at the Lounge
Description
A podcast from New Orleans about the current events, history, and tall-tales surrounding infamous BJ's Lounge and its Ninth Ward neighborhood.
20 Episodes
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Howie and Scully interview John Stanton about life at Gambit Weekly. They discuss how he once had his collarbone broken by Rudy Gulliani’s goons, the importance of reporting on New Orleans as a resident vs as a visitor, the joys of an occasional day drink, how urban alt-weekly’s have changed over the years, the connections between Journalism and barrooms, Jeff Landry’s war on public records, and how gosh darn old them Morning 40’s have gotten.One of his favorite local bands, Silver Synthetic provides two hot live tracks from their January 26 performance at Bj’s for the Lesseps Street Block Party.
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!!!
Howie and Scully discuss the uproar over the previous episode's interview with Kathy from Parkview Tavern and Blue Oak's response to the attention. They also discuss the burglary of BJ's and how the community has stepped up to help in the recovery. They celebrate the 10th episode with an interview of the one and only Little Freddie King!!!We here two live at BJ's tracks from the King.
WHY IS PARKVIEW CLOSING? Scully and Howie interview Kathy, owner of Parkview Tavern, about the 30-year history of the beloved neighborhood tavern and its unfortunate forthcoming closure due to Blue Oak Barbecue's "hostile takeover." We play two live at BJ's tracks from Parkview and BJ's regulars Greazy Alice and outline the upcoming calendar.
Howie and Scully discuss the filling of a famous pothole, a new sponsor, BJ's being honored by Saveur Magazine, and the pros and cons of the new hotel going in across from the Joint. They interview the Lounge's lawn man and retired longshoreman, Joe Andrews, about the many things he loves about the neighborhood, how he discovered BJ's, and how he got to be so damn cool. We play two full live tracks from our featured musical artist: Julie Odell!!!
Scully and Howie hear from Drew Brees and discuss the start of Who Dat! season, how to pull a Tony Soprano when your car is booted and sit down with publisher, manager, songwriter and drummer for Little Freddie King: "Wacko" Wade They talk about what is was like to be a musician in New Orleans in the 50's and 60's, backing up Charles Manson, meeting Little Freddie when he was a mechanic, and how BJ's became their practice space in the early 90's. They go over the upcoming calendar and play two live tracks from our featured artist of the week: JJ Adams!!!
Howie and Scully are back with singer and authentic human Meschiya Lake. They discuss whether Bj's is a dive bar, Scully and Meschiya's long running friendship established one late nineties morning on the banks of Lake Michigan, having your blood lost, French Jails, eating lightbulbs, and skyrocketing into one of the most sought after jazz singers in New Orleans. We hear two of her songs: a live at BJ's cut with her band the Machetes and version of Rather go Blind recorded with Scully's band Rough Seven.
Howie and Scully discuss developments in the investigation and interview Brooke about the tunnel between Vaughan's and BJ's, clown culture, and the value of leaving somethings a mystery. We hear two tracks from Haiti's most recent gift to New Orleans: RAM.
Howie and Scully discuss Little Freddie King's birthday party and talk to the Joint BBQ's Pete Breen about his 20 years in the neighborhood and the joys of smoking meat. He shares his story about becoming suspect #1 and reveals the most compelling piece of evidence yet: a photo of Pothole Pete (find on IG @bjslounge) with his abductors!!! Who are they???We hear two live cuts from blues master and king of the Lounge-Little Freddie King.
Howie and Scully discuss the St. Claude food vendor crackdown and interview Johnny Cisco about growing up in the neighborhood and what its like to be the King of Krewe of Dreux. More information is uncovered bringing the hosts closer to uncovering who kidnapped Pothole Pete.
Howie and Scully discuss the Jukebox vs. Sonos controversy, the possible closing of Buffa's, and Interview the longtime neighbor of the Lounge Jeanne Hannan and discover past lives of BJ's Lounge (It was once a lesbian bar, was called Georges, and had an interesting tenant who lived in the bar). They also discuss the infamous Barber Shop murder/suicide and address whether our barber chair is haunted; new clues emerge bringing us closer to uncovering the identity of the Pothole Pete Perp; a few regulars express their love(?) of the Lounge and we play two tracks from Maddy Kirgo's beautiful recent BJ's performance. Howie and Scully outline upcoming calendar.
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