Obligations at the Lounge
A podcast from New Orleans about the current events, history, and tall-tales surrounding infamous BJ's Lounge and its Ninth Ward neighborhood.
Episodes
OATL37: Chris Olsen!!! Music by Clint Maedgen!
Obligations lives!!! (We were just on summer break.) Howie and Scully are back with special guest: influencer and French Quarter vintage clothing store owner Chris Olsen. He popped into the King Room to discuss his journey into French Quarter small business advocacy and beyond. He shares how growing up he developed a love for antiques from his father and how his previous job in advertising set h
OATL36 - Sabine McCalla!!! Live Music from The Helots!
Singer/Songwriter, BJ's Bartender and Bestie Sabine McCalla stops by the King Room to tell Scully and Howie about her new single that just dropped on Garhole Records and the upcoming full album release. She shares stories of growing up with Haitian activist parents, living in Africa for two years as a child, attending a service oriented university in North Carolina, having hidden fiddle and
OATL 35: Morning 40's Rick Hukill!!! Live Music from Conor Donohue!
Rick stops by the King Room to talk to Howie and Scully about growing up in Onion Town, Hanging in Athens, GA during its heyday, being saved from certain death by the late Paris Nesbit who also wrote a song about Rick (featured mid-interview), being forced by the law man to take an alias and hide out in 9th ward in the 90's, regaining his sense of smell on Decatur Street around the same tim
OATL34: Nancy Montoya!!! Live Music from Slow Motion Cowboys!
Queen of Krewe of Dreux (and basically the universe), Nancy Montoya pops into the King Room to talk to Howie and Scully about how much she loves the Lounge. She shares how the late Gilbert Lopez introduced her to BJ's almost 30 years ago and how it remains dear to her heart. She tells of being a part of helping Carlos and Dewann re-open BJ's after Katrina and how the photo of her in a
OATL33: Jazz Fest with Robin Rapuzzi!!! Music by Tuba Skinny!
Robin walks a block and a half from his house to join Howie and Scully in the King Room for a chat about our beloved neighborhood. He tells how he came to New Orleans looking for inspiration many years ago and how he continues to find it; he explains what its like to play multiple instruments in several different bands including washboard with Tuba Skinny (BJ's regulars), drums with James M
OATL32: WWOZ MEETS OBLIGATIONS w/ AJ "The Boudin Man" Rodrigue!!!
The Boudin Man joins Howie and Scully in the King Room to discuss DJ'ing on WWOZ, restarting his father's old record label, and the importance of giving Ninth Ward musicians their due. He tell us how as a child he spent many nights recording bands with father for Houma Records. (His mother send the kids to keep pops from being a "rascal." ) He shares how he fell in love with r
OATL31: Joshua Starkman for Mayor!?!? Live Music from James McClaskey & the Rhythm Band!
A tuxedoed "Mayor" Starkman joins Howie and Scully in the King Room for a discussion about the campaign. Yes It is real; he will be on the ballot! He shares several of his policy proposals including elimination of liability for all corporations, encouragement of bribery, expansion of bureaucracy (it creates jobs!), and a promise that on day one he will send all Louisiana bound hurricane
VOTE NO!!! on the March 29th Amendments w/ Meg Garvey
Legislative Chair of the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Meg Garvey joins Howie and Scully to explain why all Louisiana voters should say NO!!! to the four amendments on the March 29 ballot. Hint: They are all a means by which Jeff Landry can further consolidate his power in an effort to turn Louisiana into a modern feudal state.
Episode 30: Glass Half Full's Fran Trautmann!!! Live Music from Sabine McCalla!
Fran joins Howie and Scully in the King Room to discuss how drinking a High Life at BJ's Lounge can help restore the wetlands. She shares how she once feared the "boogey man" of coastal erosion while growing up in south Louisiana. But she channeled that into action and by college she and a couple friends decided to fight back by developing their own nonprofit glass recycling company
Episode 29 - Stop the GrainTrain w/ Kate Thorstad & Elliot Robinson! Live Music from Anna Moss!!!
Elliot and Kate join Howie and Scully in the King Room to discuss the fight to stop the activation of the long dormant Alabo Wharf and its connecting rail lines in the lower Ninth Ward. They explain how Sunrise Foods International (Qatar, Turkey, Canada) and Port of Orleans are fast tracking a plan that has been in the works for over a year but was only made public in September. If the plan goes
Christmas Special w/ Pierre the Singing Christmas Tree & Jennifer Callan
Pierre Sings Howie, Scully, and Jennifer a Christmas dittyy; the gang sings "Twelve Bywater Days of Christmas" and Scully and Alex Pianovich sing Scully's original tune, "Forgive me Santa." BJ's wishes everyone a Merry Christmas!!!
Episode 28: The Canal Will Kill NOLA! w/ Sam Bowler & Jeff Treffinger -- Live Music from Jeff Boston
Sam and Jeff Join Howie and Scully in the King Room to discuss the fight against the canal expansion project that will have devastating effects on the thousands of people living in it's vicinity (including us at BJ's Lounge). They discuss the history of the canal and the current proposed expansion that was approved in 1956, but is now on the verge of becoming a reality. From the toxic
BONUS!!! FRIENDSGIVING W/ JENNIFER CALLAN
Jennifer pops into the King Room to let us know the details about the upcoming community Friendsgiving!!!
Episode 27: Dive Bar Bathrooms w/ Brian Fouhy Live Music from Rough Seven
Brian joins Howie and Scully in the King Room to the discuss the beauty of the public bathroom. His book of photography "Occupied" (published by New Heroes and Pioneers Press) captures the unique and unexpectedly compelling images of dive bar toilets including that of BJ's, J&J's, Ms. Mae's and Poor Boy's. He discusses how he came up with idea, how his editor&ap
Episode 26: Bywater Bakery's Alton and Chaya!!! Live Music by Cuba Heat!
Alton and Chaya come to the King Room to drop some baker's knowledge. They discuss the impact of Whole Foods decision to change the recipe of the Chantilly cake, why the public went crazy, and how the New York Times highlighted Chaya's role in the creation of the original recipe. Alton describes growing up in the 7th Ward and how he couldn't wait to get back after his family move
Episode 25: Bruce Sunpie Barnes!!!!
Sunpie joins Howie and Scully in the King Room to talk about music, nature, Creole culture, photography, neighborhood history, sports, and the spirit world. He describe how playing with Kansas City Chiefs was cool, but not his dream, how eating songbirds helped him ace ornithology, getting lost on his first day in New Orleans on Mardi Gras Day, going to the hardware store with Fats Domino to buy
Episode 24 - Low Point's Mik Grantham!!! New Release Music by Max Bien-Kahn!
Howie and Scully return for the first episode of their second season with Mik Grantham co-owner of Ninth Ward community hub, Low Point. They discuss coffee, books, wine, music and more. She tells of how she self published her first book of poems which led to the founding of Disorder Press - her own fearless publishing co., the pleasure of curating Low Point's book selection, how she and Scul
Episode 23 - Parkview Lives!!! Kathy's Back!!! Live Music from Action Lady!
For our one year anniversary we welcome the powerful, patient and beloved owner of Parkview Tavern, Kathy. She shares with us the good news that the tavern's 30 years in business has been extended (at least for a bit). She describes the real power of compromise and exhibits a sense of magnanimity that we all should strive for. There are stories of how her regulars ended up with their own en
Episode 22 -- Actor Jamie Neumann!!! Live Music from Sally Baby's Silver Dollars
Howie and Scully talk with HBO’s The Deuce star Jamie Neuman about growing up in New Orleans, how working at a bar can be an in road to opportunities, the joys of cabbage ball, what separates working on an HBO series vs. neighborhood stage productions, how important it is to not wait for your big break, but to make your own shit happen, not about her new secret big time project, and how fucking co
Episode 21: Gambit Weekly Editor John Stanton!!! Live Music from Silver Synthetic!!!
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, an
Episode 20: "Be Nice or Leave!!!" w/ Dr. Bob - Live Music from Coleman's Swing Set Septet
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&a
Episode 19 - Music Box's Leah Hennessy!!! Live Music from Mike Dillon and James Singleton
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 re
Episode 18: Devin De Wulf of Krewe of Red Beans!!! New Music from Whip Appeal!
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
Episode 17: Libraries Rule!!! With Brittany Silva - Music by Night Medicine
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
Episode 16: Bailey Smith and Josh Cohen of Morning 40 Federation!!! New Music by Morning 40 Federation!
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!!!
Episode 15: Cindy Wood of Vaughan's Lounge!!! Live Music from Miss Martha and Her Goodtime Gang!
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 Goodtim
Episode 14: The Saving of Sister Street with Johnny Loretta!!! Live Music from Chris Acker and We Hate Lindsay
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!!!
Episode 13: What is the Barmuda Triangle? Jane McBride & Jennifer Callan!!! Live Music from Jackson and the Janks!
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
Episode 12: DBA's Tom Thayer!!! & Live Music from Max and the Martians
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!!!
Episode 11: John "Rebel" Carr & Live Music from Daiquiri Queens
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 art
Episode 10: Little Freddie King!!! Live Music from the man himself!
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
Episode 9: Kathy of Parkview Tavern!!! Live Music from Greazy Alice!
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.
Episode 8: Joe Andrews!!! Live Music from Julie Odell!
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 t
Episode 7: Wacko Wade!!! Live Music from J.J. Adams Family Band!
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
Episode 6: Meschiya Lake!!! Live Music from Meschiya and Rough Seven!
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 so
Episode 5: Brooke Trout Paulus!!! and the Forever Mystery of Pothole Pete and Scary Dan
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.
Episode 4: The Joint's Pete Breen!!! and the Continuing Mystery of Pothole Pete and Scary Dan
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
Episode 3: Johnny Cisco!!! and the Continuing Mystery of Pothole Pete and Scary Dan
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.
Episode 2: The Continuing Mystery of Pothole Pete and Scary Dan w/ Special Guest Jeanne Hannan
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 cha
The Mystery of Pothole Pete and Scary Dan
The first episode introduces hosts Scully and Howie and sets the stage for the ongoing investigation into the mystery surrounding the disappearance and return of Pothole Pete. Jennifer Callan, neighbor and regular at the bar is interviewed, revealing details of the event which lead to more questions and the inevitability of a deeper dig. Scully and Howie also outline the upcoming calendar of eve
