Crooked Conversations

A real treat this week talking with bassist, producer, engineer and all around awesome dude Taylor Law. He and Steve dive right into a scotch and some serious conversation about Taylor’s experience with pediatric cancer, his outlook on life because of that experience, and also some lighter topics like the bands he plays with and his musical influences. Taylor is also starting production on his own...

Saxophonist, singer, composer, educator and Sweet Magnolia Brass Band leader Megan Dwyer sits down with Steven to talk about her band’s recent EP “Glitter in the Bathtub”, her travels growing up, the joys of teaching middle school, a not-very-juicy secret, and more. You can sign up for her new monthly ‘Zine via Substack featuring New Orleans artists and perspectives (it’s free!) at this link: http...

Tommy of Joystick Holster, formerly known as Isaac Jolly from The Mr., joins Steven and James to talk about his New Orleans musical journey, his formula for creating music and art, how he conceptually connects his old project The Mr. and his new project Joystick Holster, and his upcoming HeartsNDicks tour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Singer, songwriter, guitarist and bassist Taylor Mroski meets with Steven to talk about his new single “Cheapest Flight” out now on all music platforms, his relationship with God and Christianity, his passion for creating, and how he made some damn good paninis and coffee for us at his studio that day. Check out all things Taylor Mroski at his website: https://taylormroski.com Hosted on Acast. See...

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The first of the "Crooked Contemplations" bonus episodes. Steven talks about his recent trip to Amsterdam, a death in the family, navigating adult friendships and confrontations, plans for the future and believing in yourself, and the insanity of AI and potential Quantum Computers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fantastic drummer and all around excellent human Sam Shahin sits down with Steven and James to talk about his band Naughty Professor and all of the wonderful musicians he works with, how he incorporates human experiences and empathy into his musical style (including an enlightening demonstration on our in-house drum kit), his passion for traveling, and so much more. You can find all things Naughty...

Steven and guest co-host Colton Gray of Flipped Car Marketing sit down with ChatGPT 4.0 and ask it some deeper and more philosophical questions than were addressed in the last episode; they go further into it’s very nature and in what ways it’s processes are distinguishable from those of humans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode features a bit of a different format than usual with Steven having a solo “conversation” with ChatGPT 3.5 about many topics such as the impact of AI on the future workforce, the fight against misinformation, and the challenges and opportunities facing gig workers, especially musicians, in today’s rapidly changing job market. Steven also revisits a conversation topic about Justin Roila...

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Social Media Marketer Colton Gray joins Steve and James to talk about co-founding Flipped Car Marketing, working in the music and entertainment industry in New Orleans with venues like The Orpheum Theater and the band Dana Ives (who have also been on the podcast), and how he channels creativity and authenticity into his work. You can find out more about him and his company at www.flippedcarmarketi...

Manager, Community Organizer, Director, and Leader; Nate “Suave” Cameron is all of these things and more! He joins Steve and James to talk about his passions, his path in life and music, and his strong connection to his home of New Orleans. You can check out some of the music projects he’s been involved with such as Tank and the Bangas and the glbl wrmng collective available on all music platforms...

Rapper and artist $LEAZY EZ joins Steve and James to talk about Ghetto Positivity, being an activist in various New Orleans communities, integrating art and music into their lifestyle, and being a part of the glbl wrmng collective. Check out $LEAZY EZ at https://sleazyez.com and on all music platforms. This episode mastered by Dreadless Dave. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa...

Singer, songwriter, band leader, and multi-instrumentalist Ted Hefko talks to Steve and James about being a full time gigging musician, his perspectives on the New Orleans music scene over the years since he first came to the city in the 90s, his time in New York in the 2000s, and what he hopes to achieve with his art. You can check out his band Ted Hefko And The Thousandaires on all major music p...

Saxophonist, Composer, Teacher and long-time friend Dan Wallace joins Steve and James to talk about politics, religion, controversy in the jazz world, P.C. culture, and Charlie Parker. Go check out Dan’s single “Agoraphobia” under his artist name Dan Wallace Saxophone on Spotify and Apple Music. This episode mastered by Dreadless Dave. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Singer, songwriter, band leader, multi-instrumentalist, and teacher Ainsley Matic joins Steve and James to talk about her journey in the music profession and music industry, the balance and dedication it takes to juggle so many aspects of being a working musician, and how recent self reflection has helped her to reorganize her priorities. You can find all of her stuff at https://ainsleymaticblues....

This is a special bonus episode of Crooked Conversations with Steve, Dreadless Dave, Naughty Nic, and Marvelous Mary. Recorded on November 10th, 2019 it was originally meant to be the first episode on Dave’s short-lived podcast “Clean Shaven and Misbehavin” but never actually aired. They talk about wild wedding stories, partying in New Orleans, the awkwardness of childhood sexual awakenings, and s...

Evan Thibodeaux, aka ET DEAUX, joined the Crooked Crew for this episode and what a blessing it was to have him on! He’s a rapper, producer, photographer, videographer, artist and all-around wonderful human. He talked with Steve and James about so many things such as spirituality, theoretical physics of sound, psychedelics, being a New Orleans native, the social and music scene in NOLA, plus so muc...

Propulsion Engineer and long-time friend Chris Esposito sits down with Steve and guest co-host Dreadless Dave to talk about what it’s like to work for a well-known aerospace company, some of the specifics and physics of rocket design, and so much more from Brazilian jiu-jitsu to wild theories about outer space. Recorded at Dreadless Studios, mixed and mastered by Dreadless Dave. Hosted on Acast. S...

Two excellent guests are on the podcast this episode: Cosimo Mariano is a visual and performing artist as well as a costume designer and producer in various art departments; Sunshine T is a drummer, singer, and head chef at a prestigious restaurant. They join Steve and guest co-host Dreadless Dave to discuss pursuing artistic passions while making a living, growing up in the Delco area, and much m...

Producer and DJ Landon Zeringue, better known by his artist name LANDONi, joins Steve and James to talk about the intricacies of creating music in both studio and live settings, what drives his passion for making music, and what it takes to understand the technology and technique involved in DJing. Plus he gave us really cool LANDONi beanie caps! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...

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Dreadless Dave, DJ Coolhand, and Dan Wallace join Steve to talk about alcohol laws and parties, the evolution of live performances and technology, and their personal aspirations and viewpoints on success in the music industry. Recorded at Dreadless Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

K.C. O’Rorke, the lead singer and trumpeter for the New Orleans funk band Flow Tribe, joins Steven Schwartz and James Keene to talk about the 18 year history of his band, from their humble high school beginnings to the success they have today. They also talk about the joys and struggles of the music industry and the exciting things K.C. has on the horizon. Make sure to catch Flow Tribe at their 13...

New Orleans rapper Alfred Banks joins Steven Schwartz and James Keene to talk about his dedication and work ethic as a full time artist, navigating the music industry and making money from it, his collaborations with others, and how his shoe game is on point. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.