Elation Podcast

Emily Madero is the President & CEO of French Quarter Festivals, Inc., and she joins us to break down what it really takes to run one of the most beloved cultural institutions in New Orleans. We get into her journey to New Orleans, her post-Katrina commitment to rebuilding the city, and how French Quarter Fest has stayed fiercely local while attracting nearly a million people each year. Emily...

Don Bartholomew is a music producer, engineer, and CEO of BangnWorld — and one of the quiet giants behind New Orleans’ most influential sound. We sit down with him to talk about growing up under the legacy of his father, R&B pioneer Dave Bartholomew, building his first studio from scratch, and becoming the first engineer to ever professionally record Lil Wayne, BG, Magnolia Slim, Ms. Tee, UNLV...

Julia Heath is the Policy and Outreach Manager for the New Orleans Mayor’s Office of Nighttime Economy. We dig into how New Orleans can be not just the birthplace of American music, but the place it’s headed, and cover Julia’s path from venue work to Covid-era advocacy, why coalition-building saved independent stages, and how the “music ecosystem” powers bars, restaurants, hotels, and tourism acro...

Tarriona “Tank” Ball is a Grammy-award winning artist and the lead singer of Tank and the Bangas. On The Elation Podcast with host David Adams, we dive straight into her New Orleans roots, how a neighborhood girl group and spoken word shaped her voice, and why blending poetry with melody is core to her artistry. We talk community support, national breakout moments like Tiny Desk and late-night TV,...

Kate Duncan is the Director of the School of Music & Theater Professions and the Conrad Hilton Chair in Music Industry at Loyola University New Orleans. We sit down with her and host David Adams to unpack her path from classical singer to jazz educator, how Loyola readies students for real careers, and why craft, confidence, and business savvy matter as much as talent. We dig into AI’s role in...

Adam Matasar is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group at Jones Walker. We sit down with Adam to dig into the sweet spot where law, music, and New Orleans culture collide, from Adam’s path as a classically trained musician to a deal-making entertainment and transactions attorney. We get straight into protecting artists’ rights, smart contracts and negotiations, how independent creators can buil...

Julia Holt is an entertainment attorney and the founder of Julia Holt Law. She shares her journey from growing up in Gretna, Louisiana, to studying jazz piano and music business, and eventually building a career in law and artist advocacy. She sits down with us to explain why protecting intellectual property is critical for musicians, from copyright registration and split sheets to performance roy...

Scott Borne is the co-owner of New Orleans Record Press and a longtime advocate for the city’s vibrant music scene. We sit down with him to talk about his journey back to New Orleans just before Katrina, his work with WWOZ, and how he turned his passion for music into a career dedicated to supporting artists. From community rebuilding through live events to his role as music director, Scott shares...

Cav “Kilobauud” is a DJ and creator of Set de Flo, and Vick is an artist and event producer. We get straight into New Orleans roots, LA lessons, and the real gap between local talent and industry infrastructure, from DIY hustle and content workflows to why major musicians often live at extremes of sobriety or excess, and how discipline turns creativity into a career. We also dig into Set de Flo’s...

Alaina Dunn is the Program Director at The COOL Cooperative, a nonprofit dedicated to giving young people a voice through film education. We dig into her path from New Orleans to LSU to New York acting (yes, Law & Order and an Ice-T story), why she stepped behind the camera, and how COOL equips youth with real film skills and a strong creative voice. We talk curriculum that blends film history...

Danovan Calhoun-Bettis is the Director of Engagement and Partnerships at MaCCNO, the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans. We sit down with him to talk about his journey growing up in the Seventh Ward, how his early start in music shaped his path, and the role he plays today in advocating for artists and culture bearers across the city. From church gigs and jazz studies to leading his own ba...

Joel Hitchcock is a festival producer, who recently helped to produce the inaugural Smoove Fest, and the owner of Paradigm Gardens. He shares how his journey from Milwaukee to New Orleans turned into a lifelong connection with the city’s culture, music, and community. From teaching after Katrina to discovering his passion for reggae and Caribbean music, Joel walks us through how he went from DJing...

Howie Kaplan is the owner of New Orleans bar and music venue The Howlin’ Wolf. We sit down with Howie to get straight into his journey from South Florida record stores and early ticketing days to taking over The Howlin’ Wolf in 2000, the standout shows he’s hosted , and why the live-music experience—and New Orleans’ culture at large—still matters more than ever. We also dig into the tough stuff: h...

Ethan Ellestad is the Executive Director of the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans (MaCCNO). We sat down with him and our host David Adams to talk about his journey from Madison, Wisconsin to New Orleans, his work in Jamaica with the Peace Corps, and how those experiences shaped his passion for equitable urban development and cultural advocacy. We also dig into the work MaCCNO is doing to...

Reid Wick is the Director of Regional Advocacy and Member Engagement at the Recording Academy. We sat down with Reid to talk about his journey from touring jazz fusion musician to one of the leading voices shaping Louisiana’s music industry. He shares how his roots in New Orleans, his time at Loyola University, and his early work in music education laid the foundation for a career dedicated to bui...

Diego Pinzon is the co-founder and CEO of DAWN Audio, and Mandy Ortiz is the co-founder and CSO. We sat down with Diego and Mandy to talk about how they’re building a global music production platform that turns isolated music-making into a collaborative, gamified experience. From their first meeting in New Orleans to the inspiration behind DAWN, they share how their unique backgrounds and love for...

Ashley Shabankereh is the Director of Operations and Programs at the Trombone Shorty Foundation, and she joins us alongside Music Industry Apprentices Larry Cacho and Covay Joseph. We talk about how the Foundation is filling a crucial gap in New Orleans by offering hands-on music industry education, mentorship, and career-building opportunities to young artists. Ashley shares the evolution of the...

Troy Sawyer is a New Orleans-born musician, educator, and the founder of Girls Play Trumpets Too , a nonprofit empowering young girls—especially Black girls—to break gender barriers in jazz. We talk to Troy about growing up in a deeply musical family, discovering the trumpet after seeing Wynton Marsalis perform, and how the Satchmo Jazz Camp ignited his passion for self-expression through jazz. He...

George Ingmire is a radio/film producer and DJ in New Orleans who has spent years capturing the heartbeat of the city through sound. We sat down with George to talk about his journey from Norfolk, Virginia to New Orleans, his deep ties to the city’s culture, and his experiences navigating the music and radio world before and after Hurricane Katrina. George shares how his early love for music disco...

Lou Hill is a musician with Water Seed and an entrepreneur deeply rooted in the New Orleans music scene. We dive into his dynamic journey—from growing up immersed in the city's rich musical heritage, studying music at Xavier University, and finding his way through vibrant music scenes in DC and Atlanta, to returning home and crafting a unique path as both an artist and business innovator. Together...

Amanda Mester is a communications and music industry professional deeply embedded in New Orleans' creative scene. We dive into Amanda’s unique upbringing, traveling globally as the child of classical musicians, and how this shaped her passion for storytelling, social justice, and hip-hop culture. We also discuss Amanda's impactful work at OffBeat Magazine, her partnership with Raj Smoove at the Ge...

Octavia Young is the CFO of Element, a leading event production and rental company based in New Orleans. We sat down with Octavia to talk about her journey from Lafayette back to New Orleans, how her family’s company grew from humble beginnings to one of the largest in the South, and how they navigated major challenges like COVID-19 and the Hollywood strikes by diversifying and staying resilient....

Juvenile is a legendary rapper from New Orleans known for shaping the sound of Southern hip-hop and pioneering bounce music. We sit down with Juvenile to talk about reuniting with BG and Turk, the evolution of his career, and how he’s embraced live performances with a full band. He shares insights on navigating the music industry today, balancing independence with brand-building, and the realities...

Michelle Cheramie is the owner of Zeus' Rescues, a New Orleans-based nonprofit dedicated to saving and rehoming animals in need. We sit down with Michelle to talk about her journey from growing up in Cajun country to founding Zeus' Rescues after Hurricane Katrina changed her life forever. She shares powerful stories from post-Katrina rescue efforts, the emotional realities of animal rescue work, a...

Shaddai Livingston is the Chief Creative Officer at Ashé Cultural Arts Center, and a passionate advocate for New Orleans culture and heritage. We sit down with Shaddai to discuss her journey as a world traveler, studying abroad in Dubai, and the humbling lessons she learned about privilege and cultural perception during her time overseas. Shaddai shares entertaining and insightful anecdotes, refle...