Neither Big nor Easy
The Music Lover’s Guide to the New Orleans Elections
The city is famous for its music, but in recent years a number of politicians have sided with groups calling for clubs and bars to turn down the volume, resulting in protests and calls to elect some new, music-friendly leaders.
New Orleans's Year in Murders
For New Orleans, 2013 was marked by shootings, many of them gang-related, many of them leading to utterly senseless deaths of teenagers, children, and even some people who were trying to help the city.
Elementary School Kids Review Retro Jazz, Creole Punk, and Noise Music
"This album sucks, I hate the vocals, I hate the lyrics, I hate the feedback, I hate everything about this album. I think this album shouldn’t be sold because other people won’t like it either."
Gone Fishing to Escape Gentrification
Nowadays you can’t throw a gluten-free small-plate entrée in New Orleans without hitting a young, healthy, upwardly mobile person intent on creating something “cool.” Thankfully, fishing will never be cool.
An Interview with John Oates, Who Deserves Your Respect
The humbler half of Hall and Oates talks dubstep, tries and fails to define "psychedelic Americana," and reveals he really, really wants to be a guest on Noisey's Guitar Moves.
“Greatest Living American Writer” Neal Pollack Talks About His ‘Jeopardy!’ Victory
Neal Pollack used to be a literary celebrity thanks to Dave Eggers and a penchant for weird stunts, but recently he achieved a new kind of fame by being one of Alex Trebek's playthings for three nights.
The Ponderosa Stomp Festival Is a Garage and R & B Wonderland
What began 13 years ago at anesthesiologist's wedding reception has turned into a festival that brings together dozens of old rock, blues, and R & B groups only record collectors have heard of.
A Pilgrimage to Gypsy Lou Webb, New Orleans’s Patron Saint of Beat Literature
With her husband Jon, Gypsy Lou Webb ran Loujon Press and made beautiful art books that featured poetry from Charles Bukowski, William Burroughs, and Allen Ginsberg. At 97, she now lives off of social security and the kindness of fans.
Defending the Daiquiri and New Orleans’s Go-Cup Culture
The ultrasweet street daiquiri is the official drink of every hell-hot New Orleans summer, and they're traditionally slurped out of giant go-cups, but this culture is under attack from snobbish city authorities.
Odoms and Ballzack Are Kings of the Wank
The surreal hip-hop duo have never even left Louisiana, but have a huge following in New Orleans—but not as big a following as that of Lil Doogie, a puppet they created that has so many fans he can sell out venues by himself.
My Elementary Schoolers Are Terrific Music Critics
"It sounds like rockstars playing New Orleans style. It sounds like everybody is running away from something. It sounds different. Like people dancing. Good music with rockstars taking over the planet with weird hair. Music everywhere. It’s real fast...
On the Death of a Dog I Should Have Loved Better
I am surprised to find myself depressed upon the death of my dog this past Sunday during our fishing trip on Lake Pontchartain. I am surprised I’m even calling Meshcha “my dog,” as I was never very fond of her, and didn't want her in the first place...