The Grammy-winning Cajun singer and accordion star has carried bayou culture from Crowley, La., to the four corners of the globe. We catch up with him in Hawaii during the star-studded 10th annual Big Island Jazz and Blues Festival to survey the highs and lows of his storied career. Harmonica ace Jason Ricci and singer Kaitlin Dibble join Rene Coman and his Iguanas bandmate Joe Cabral on the veranda for the occasion. Topics include Jay Miller, family life, East Texas dance halls, Zydecajun, Buck...
Jun 08, 2023•51 min•Ep. 15
A founding member of Galactic, the Grammy-winning drummer and educator has also been a member of Garage A Trois and the N.O. Klezmer Allstars, and is an owner of the legendary Tipitina’s. Even with the new “Book of Queens” record from his Krasno/Moore Project to promote, he still finds time to develop lessons for his online Stanton Moore Drum Academy. Stanton is a busy guy who always looks crisp and clean. Tonight he gets down and dirty with the Troubled Men. Topics include a Jazz Fest recap, lo...
May 24, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 238
The British master photographer and MBE recipient started off shooting friends like the Pogues and the Clash when he was a touring musician. Renowned for intense, intimate closeups, his portraits of celebrities, philosophers, moon landing astronauts, WWI veterans, and Holocaust survivors have graced elite editorial publications and museum permanent collections worldwide. Now residing in New Orleans, he returns to his hometown for the opening of the “Punk: Rage & Revolution” exhibition at the...
May 11, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 237
The singer and multi-instrumentalist with Vapors of Morphine, the Deltabilly Boys, and the Busted Jug Band cut his teeth in street bands in the French Quarter, playing old-time acoustic blues and folk music. A post-Katrina relocation to Cambridge, Mass., led to meeting Dana Colley and Jerome Deupree of Morphine and being invited to front a reformed version of the group after the tragic passing of beloved singer/bassist Mark Sandman. The trio, now with drummer Tom Aery, continues to champion Low ...
May 04, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 236
The irrepressible singer, guitar player, and radio host celebrates the release of “The Mojo Manifesto: The Life & Times of Mojo Nixon,” the hilarious bio doc covering the southern-fried maniac’s career. From the early days with Skid Roper menacing the MTV bigwigs to his unhinged stage antics with the Toad Liquors and his Outlaw Country and NASCAR radio shows on SiriusXM, Mojo always goes in whole hog. Tonight the Troubled Men discover that madness is the method. Topics include a Bob Mugge me...
Apr 27, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 235
The drummer, singer, and songwriter with the Hellcats, the Alluring Strange, and the Chiselers was a longtime provocateur and facilitator on the Memphis music scene. She crisscrossed the country with the shambolic Panther Burns/Hellcats circus before relocating to Toulouse, France, to marry and pursue a solo career. Widely known as the mouthpiece for the notorious White twins, she’s never been afraid to talk to strangers. Tonight Misti finds out just how strange things can get when she joins the...
Apr 20, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 234
The Norwegian blues guitar titan, record producer, and songwriter returns to the musical center of the universe to soak up some 3rd world charm and record a new record. After days of productive sessions and a whirlwind survey of local hot spots and luminaries, Arne joins René and guest cohost John Papa Gros at divebar mecca Snake and Jake’s Christmas Club Lounge to pause and reflect. Topics include a return appearance, Doug Belote, Terence Higgins, a pandemic release, the problem of evil, drinks...
Apr 13, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 14
The award-winning photographer and screenwriter’s work has appeared on the covers of every major newspaper, Time, and Newsweek. Renso recently turned an artistic self-help exercise into a collection of street photography, “I Saw You In New Orleans.” Having worked in war zones around the world, the nine-year Navy veteran once again demonstrates courage under fire as he sits down with the Troubled Men. Topics include a triumphant return, SXSW, CC Adcock, Mojo Nixon, Joey Spampinato, Jerome Deupree...
Apr 04, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 233
The award-winning DJ, radio programmer, and host of the NOLA County show on WHIV 102.3 FM and Country Du Monde on Gimmecountry.com digital radio backed into the music biz almost by accident. Being in the wrong place at the right time, he threw away a career in law to hang out on air with established Americana music stars and highlight up-and-coming artists. Tonight Jimi rolls into the Christmas Club looking like the rootin’est tootin’est hombre east of the Pecos. The Troubled Men take cover. Top...
Mar 23, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 232
The transcendental pedal steel guitar virtuoso, composer, and singer is comfortable in just about any musical setting, be it jazz, blues, country, bluegrass, or pop. An in-demand session player, he’s recorded with Brian Blade, Joni Mitchell, Peter Rowan, Ruthie Foster, Papa Mali, and Coco Robicheaux. Releasing both the jazz record “Byways of the Moon” and the singer/songwriter project “Easley Rider” over the last couple of years, Dave is a busy guy. Tonight he makes time to join the Troubled Men...
Mar 09, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 231
The monster tenor sax player with Walter Wolfman Washington & the Roadmasters began his tenure with the hard-partying ensemble in 1987, logging countless late nights at the Maple Leaf, Benny’s Bar, and festival performances around the world. His history includes work with stars like Johnny Adams, Snooks Eaglin, Kirk Joseph, Smilin’ Myron, and Alison & the Distractions, as well as playing and recording as leader of his own groups. Tom’s seen it all and lived to tell the tale. Tonight he r...
Mar 02, 2023•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 230
The singer and songwriter with the Song Dogs has been playing club dates since she was a teenager on the Maple Leaf stage. She’s spent years living in NYC and Paris doing business consulting by day, performing by night. Now Alison has returned home, working on a Song Dogs reboot featuring a record release and festival gigs. Tonight she crosses the parade route to take her chances with the Troubled Men. It’s so dark inside, she could be almost anywhere. Topics include carnival fever, a royal exte...
Feb 23, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 229
The London-born music photographer came up in the thick of the ’77 punk explosion, shooting bands like the Clash, the Specials, the Damned, and the Jam, and developing close friendships with the musicians along the way. A recent move to New Orleans and the opening of his Mostly Rock ’n’ Roll Gallery, which exhibited many pieces at the recent International Clash Day celebration, have accompanied a creative renaissance where Steve is capturing images of the city’s thriving music scene. The way thi...
Feb 16, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 228
The screenwriter, filmmaker, and college professor broke into Hollywood by selling his first spec script to a major studio. That led to a decade spent working as a script doctor for Fox, DreamWorks, and New Line Cinema. Then he returned to New Orleans to make indy films including “Mutiny” starring Nicky Katt and “Tortured By Joy” narrated by John Lurie, with Narcissy mastermind Jay Holland as the lead. We trace Henry’s career from video store clerk to auteur as he offers an upbeat take on the fu...
Feb 09, 2023•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 13
Effervescent record producer/podcaster John Agnello (Sonic Youth, Dream Syndicate, Dinosaur Jr., Drive-By Truckers) and Tony Award-winning actor/musician Michael Cerveris (The Gilded Age, Fun Home, Tommy) join us in the Feral Zone as we take a break from recording to chat. John has seen a lot since his start in 1979 as an intern at the famed Record Plant recording studios in NYC. We discuss John’s illustrious career as well as his work with Michael and the band on the next Loose Cattle record. F...
Jan 31, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 12
The affable guitarist, sound engineer, tour manager, and studio builder with Gatemouth Brown, George Porter Jr., Ultrasonic Studios, and Daniel Lanois’ Kingsway studio has been involved with every aspect of the New Orleans music scene for decades. As a Jazz Fest stage manager, he’s a friendly face you’re always happy to have on your side. Cool as a cucumber in any situation, his good humor is put to the test as he joins the Troubled Men for a going-over. Topics include Mel Gibson, Jason Ricci do...
Jan 19, 2023•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 227
The quintessential New Orleans trumpet player and singer, along with brother Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, comes from a long line of musicians going back to Louis Armstrong’s band and the early days of jazz in the city. Shepherded as a youth by grandfather Jessie “Ooh Poo Pa Doo” Hill and brass band mentor Danny Barker, he grew up around Fats Domino as well as Allen Toussaint and Dr. John, who produced and played on his debut record, “Satchmo of the Ghetto.” His exploits in the penthouses of t...
Jan 12, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 226
On the final show of the year, a guest goes missing in action on the mean streets of New Orleans, and the Troubled Men turn on a dime to deliver an impromptu free-associative howl into the void. Fellowship and frivolity abound in the Christmas Club Lounge. Topics include a missing guest, a hard freeze, bubble wrap, double zippers, a theme menu, deep-fried Christmas trees, a party trick request, jury duty, bowl season, the Wheel, a bar mitzvah, danger on the streets, Chateau Marmont parties, a fa...
Jan 05, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 225
The electrifying frontman, vocalist, and rub board player spent years as his father Rockin’ Dopsie Sr.’s onstage foil and righthand man in the Zydeco Twisters, playing on Paul Simon’s “Graceland” and Bob Dylan’s “Oh Mercy” records along the way. Leading the band since his father’s passing, Dopsie Jr. mixes tradition with James Brown-style showmanship that wows crowds from his hometown of Lafayette to the White House. As far as screaming is concerned, it’s how the Troubled Men wake up every morni...
Dec 29, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 224
The Grammy-nominated piano player, organist, and singer wowing crowds at a Monday night Saturn Bar residency has also toured and recorded with EDM star Pretty Lights, the Iguanas, Bonerama, and the Maelstrom Trio, with Skerik and longtime co-conspirator Simon Lott. A classically-trained pianist, he’s equally comfortable with the James Booker/Dr. John/ Allen Toussaint canon or the Hammond B3 organ trio jazz repertoire. While he may be a tall drink of water, BC is relieved that the Troubled Men ar...
Dec 22, 2022•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 223
The celebrated author, poet, singer, and L.A. cultural historian is the co-founding publisher and editor at Punk Hostage Press and a true Hollywood Punk Rock luminary. A founding member of the all-star Ringling Sisters collective, she also collaborated and performed with the Dickies, the Flesh Eaters, the Lame Flames, and Pink Sabbath. During her time bartending at the famed Cathay de Grande and David Lee Roth’s Zero Zero after-hours club while living in the notorious Disgraceland apartment with...
Dec 15, 2022•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 222
The Australian experimental techno and electronic music artist is actually a New Orleans native and Charity Hospital baby who fled the city as a child in advance of Hurricane Katrina. Suffering bi-continental culture shock and longing for connection, he found succor in the hip hop and DJ community of his adopted homeland. Gus may be a slave to technology, but he’s as free as a bird as he samples koala sex shrieks in the sonic wilderness. The Troubled Men don their gimp masks for this one. Topics...
Dec 08, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 221
When a scheduled guest falls ill at the eleventh hour, it’s once more unto the breach for the Troubled Men. Fulfilling the foundational axiom of showbiz, they open their notebooks, fall back on their instincts, and talk up a storm. Snake & Jake’s head honcho Dave Clements makes an early cameo, but this episode is Double Troubled, stem to stern. You asked for it. You got it. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Topics include a change of plans, the men’s room, toddler t-shirts, a nightmare, the Plow...
Dec 01, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 220
The writer, educator, and author of "They Called Us River Rats: The Last Batture Settlement of New Orleans" has lived on the thin strip of land on the Mississippi River-side of the levee since he stumbled onto the hidden enclave after a chance encounter at the Maple Leaf Bar decades ago. Now he chronicles the history, folkways, and legends of the area with a personal memoir of his life on the margins. Macon is comfortable living in constant jeopardy, so he’s cool as a catfish when he sits down w...
Nov 24, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 219
The lovable frontman, singer, songwriter, and musician with Concrete Confetti, the Gutter Brothers, and Sonny Schneidau’s Fortifiers started out busking on the streets of London with a jacked-up jug band-turned-skiffle outfit before moving indoors and getting signed to Elvis Costello’s Demon Records. Coming from a legendary New Orleans family, he grew up among bohemian royalty. Tonight he climbs back into the gutter to slum it with the Troubled Men. Topics include an Airbnb conflict, Halloween, ...
Nov 17, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 218
He’s the baritone and bass saxophone ace with Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Roger Lewis’ Baritone Bliss, and the N.O. Klezmer Allstars. An in-demand session man (Mark Ronson, Eric Clapton, CeeLo Green), he’s also involved in the free jazz/improvised music scene with performances in the Open Ears series and the Instigation Festival. Dan’s always interested in going low, so when he joins the Troubled Men, it’s a race to the bottom. Topics include birthday rituals, a bad dinner, a microwave m...
Nov 10, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 217
The Grammy-nominated Big Chief of the Golden Eagles recorded with the Wild Magnolias on their landmark records, electrifying Mardi Gras Indian chants with Willie Tee and Snooks Eaglin’s funk and creating a mind-blowing hybrid of New Orleans music. From neighborhood barrooms to Carnegie Hall, Monk has spent a lifetime masking and performing around the world with his group and in collaboration with artists like Dr John, Galactic, Anders Osborne, Papa Mali, and John Papa Gros. Tonight he enters the...
Nov 03, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 11
The costume designer, stylist, figure skater, and activist has been the coordinator for New Orleans Rock the Vote since its establishment. Her new Acushla Local Art organization is shining a spotlight on local artists. Bridget initially plays coy, but ultimately gets into the swing of things with the Troubled Men. Topics include a cooling-off period, an illegal Airbnb, juvenile offenders, a new favorite band, a voter PSA, the Jerry Lewis Telethon, Tony Orlando, a Valley Girl, Culver City, figure...
Oct 27, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 216
The Grammy-nominated drummer has worked with artists including Neil Young, Beck, Daniel Lanois, Sam Morrow, and Manny’s Hollywood party band, Too Free Stooges. He was also the house drummer for the “Echo in the Canyon” film and tour revisiting the heyday of the Laurel Canyon music scene with Jakob Dylan, Brian Wilson, Cat Power, and Fiona Apple. Matt hasn’t spoken to Manny in 25 years, but he knows from experience what he’s in for. Some things never change. Topics include the Carlo Nuccio tribut...
Oct 20, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 215
The visionary performance artist, musician, filmmaker, visual artist, and author behind the legendary Unapproachable Panther Burns founded with Alex Chilton in 1979 just completed the whirlwind “Rouge Male” U.S. tour. He joins René inside the Feral Zone to discuss the trip, his relocation to Bangkok, his current recording and film projects, and Rene’s early tenure in the band. Tav shares pearls of wisdom concerning the “secret eye of the artist” from his mentor, the great photographer William Eg...
Oct 13, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 10
