They get into the business side of art, the pressure to constantly do more, and why getting older sometimes means learning how to do less — but better. It’s a conversation about creative flow, time management, burnout, and building a life where the work still feels alive.

This week we talk with Ingrid Victoria about the wild world of human horse races — the underground-feeling spectacle where people become jockeys, horses, and maniacs all at once. We get into how these races started, why people are so obsessed with them, the line between art and competition, and what happens when a ridiculous idea suddenly becomes a real cultural event.

We also talk New Orleans performance culture, creating experiences people can’t stop talking about, and why the best live events feel a little dangerous, a little stupid, and completely unforgettable.

They get into Ravi’s instantly recognizable style — equal parts punk flyer, religious iconography, tattoo flash, revolutionary propaganda, and folk art — and why polished “content” culture has made real human-made art feel more important than ever. The conversation spirals through culinary hot takes, New Orleans during Jazz Fest, and what it means to make work that actually survives algorithm culture.

A loud, sweaty, funny, existential Jazz Fest weekend conversation from inside the madness of New Orleans.

Buy Ravi's work here.

Anya brings a wild mix of backgrounds: performance roots at House of Yes, a deep understanding of movement as both art and discipline, and now the very real challenge of running a business in one of the most chaotic neighborhoods in America.

We get into what it actually takes to build something intentional in a place built on distraction, how performance translates into entrepreneurship, and why Pilates might secretly be one of the most powerful tools for mental and physical transformation.

Also: snakes in the studio, aerial acrobatics, and why “working out” might be the least interesting way to describe what’s happening at Devotion.

ABOUT Mortal Machine:
Mortal Machine is a contemporary art gallery based in the historic French Quarter of New Orleans, operating from two adjacent spaces at 940 & 938 Royal Street.

Founded and curated by artist Gabriel Shaffer, Mortal Machine presents dynamic exhibitions and projects featuring artists working at the intersection of Contemporary Folk, Pop Surrealism, Lowbrow, Outsider, New Contemporary, Dark Art, Erotica, and Street Art.

ABOUT the Mortal Machine Podcast:
Equal parts thoughtful and irreverent, the Mortal Machine Podcast favors real talk over industry polish - diving into process, survival, success, failure, and the strange paths creative lives tend to follow. Hosted by gallery founder and curator Gabriel Shaffer alongside New Orleans comedian Chris Trew.

We break down whether WWE deserves a place in the art world, then shift gears into WrestleMania predictions—what should happen versus what will happen (because those are rarely the same). Expect strong opinions, questionable logic, and a deep respect for the chaos.

No fluff, no gatekeeping—just a fast, opinionated rundown of what matters, what’s overhyped, and what it all means if you care about art (or want to understand where it’s headed next).

Presented by Mortal Machine Gallery in New Orleans.

From memento mori to ghost stories, Michelle breaks down the inspirations behind her latest show at Mortal Machine Gallery and how she balances classical oil painting techniques with eerie, modern themes. We get into the beauty of decay, the storytelling power of cemeteries, and why confronting death might actually make your art—and your life—better.

If you’ve ever walked through a graveyard and felt something… this one’s for you.

Buy Michelle's art from Mortal Machine

We break down how these floating art markets work, why people buy art at sea, and whether any of it is actually good. Along the way, Gabe pitches one of his most ridiculous ideas yet: an intentionally bad art gallery dedicated entirely to terrible artwork.

From cruise ship sales tactics to the strange psychology of art collectors, this episode explores what happens when commerce, taste, and absurdity collide.

We get into:

• Moving to Marfa with a truck full of handmade chairs
• Getting sober after earning the nickname “Blackout Barber” 
• The loneliness (and safety) of small-town creative life
• Why quitting his bestselling horseshoes almost wrecked him financially 
• The tension between making “real art” and paying the bills
• Building a marketable product without selling your soul

Cody’s powder-coated horseshoes started as a functional experiment and became the thing that gave him creative freedom. When he stopped making them, the money dried up. That lesson hits hard: if you want to make art full-time, you need something that sustains you.

We also talk about what it’s like to move somewhere like Marfa in your 20s. His advice? Have guts. But proceed with caution.

If you're an artist trying to figure out how to survive without compromising yourself — this one’s for you.

🔗 Cody’s work: codybarber.work
 📍 Mortal Machine Gallery — New Orleans

Subscribe for more conversations with artists, builders, and creative lifers figuring it out in real time.

Monte shares what it’s really like to move to Alpine sight unseen, build an art career from scratch, and navigate the cultural differences between Alpine and nearby Marfa. They talk Donald Judd’s minimalist influence, graffiti vs. gallery culture, “West Texas time,” and why Alpine might just be the hidden gem artists overlook.

You’ll also hear:

The real difference between Alpine and Marfa

How Monte went from door-knocking for walls to painting 20+ buildings across the Tri-County area

The grind of making a living as a full-time artist in a small town

Why “trust your artist” isn’t just a slogan

The exposure vs. payment conversation (and the alleyway mural offer that’ll make you laugh)

If you’re an artist thinking about relocating, chasing a creative life, or wondering how murals actually happen from sketch to wall — this episode pulls back the curtain.

Like, subscribe, and share if you believe in independent art and independent podcasts.

Buy Monty's art here.

Visit Opal Rugs: https://www.opalrugs.com/

Recorded on location in Marfa, Texas.

Mortal Machine Experiences is a collection of intimate, invitation-based moments hosted in and around our French Quarter spaces. Rooted in the same spirit as the gallery, these experiences are designed for artists, collectors, and couples seeking something unique, personal, and fleeting - moments shaped by light, architecture, and the quiet pulse of New Orleans below.

We dig into how music and visual art intersect, what it’s like working with bands whose imagery matters as much as their sound, and how artists can think differently about showing work—beyond just hanging pieces on a wall.

If you’re an artist, musician, curator, or just someone who loves the New Orleans creative scene, this episode is for you.

🎨 Topics include:
• New Orleans’ role in the contemporary art world
• Creating album art for heavy, iconic bands
• Translating music into visual language
• What separates a good exhibition from a great one
• Building an artistic voice that lasts

📍Check out Mortal Machine Gallery in the French Quarter at 940 and 938 Royal Street.
See Arik Roper's work at Mortal Machine here.

👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell 🔔 for more conversations with artists, comedians, and creative thinkers. 

Buy Dan's work from Mortal Machine.

Buy Shepard's art at Mortal Machine.

Buy Mab's work at Mortal Machine.

We get into their creative processes, how color and emotion shape their work, balancing commercial success with personal vision, and what it means to build a lasting career in the modern art scene. From dreamy characters to neon-soaked dreamscapes, this episode explores the stories and philosophies behind two of the most distinctive painters working today.

If you’re into pop surrealism, new contemporary art, or the behind-the-scenes reality of making a life as a working artist — this one’s for you.

Amy Sol on Mortal Machine
Casey Weldon on Mortal Machine

We talk about his journey from street environments into gallery spaces, how graffiti and urban culture shaped his visual perspective, and what drives him to capture moments most people overlook. The conversation explores the crossover between photography, street art, and storytelling — and how documenting real life can become fine art.

We also get into the realities of being an artist today — building recognition, exhibiting work, and staying authentic while moving through different creative worlds.

If you’re into photography, graffiti history, or contemporary street culture, this one’s for you.

Explore Beegats at Mortal Machine.

From backstage antics to behind-the-scenes laughs, this episode brings the party straight to your screen. Pour yourself a drink and buckle up — this is one you won’t forget!

They dive into life on the road, crazy fan stories, and what it’s like rocking stadiums in full KISS style. This one’s got laughs, drinks, and behind-the-scenes secrets you won’t hear anywhere else!

Between laughs, eerie tales, and a few raised glasses, this episode blends comedy with New Orleans’ haunted charm — and might just leave you questioning what lurks beyond the veil.

Nestled in the heart of New Orleans, Tell Me is New Orleans’ premier wine bar—where refined tastes meet a sultry, speakeasy vibe. Sip on curated vintages while savoring artfully crafted sushi in an ambiance that's equal parts elegant and enigmatic, making every visit feel like a decadent secret.

As always, the episode drifts into art, comedy, and the unpredictable energy that surrounds the Mortal Machine / Open Mic From Hell orbit of New Orleans creatives.

If you love late-night bar conversations, weird city lore, and a couple of guys chasing the next great story over drinks, this episode is for you.

Recorded on location in the French Quarter, the conversation bounces between nightlife stories, the personalities that make the city tick, and the energy of the local scene where art, music, and performance constantly collide. From champagne-fueled celebrations to the unmistakable rhythms of New Orleans bounce, this episode captures the kind of night you can only have in this city.

As always, expect plenty of laughs, tangents, and behind-the-scenes stories from the art and comedy worlds orbiting Mortal Machine Gallery and the broader New Orleans creative scene.

This one’s recorded in New Orleans with Gabriel Schaefer (Mortal Machine Gallery) and Chris Trew (Open Mic From Hell / Hell Yes Creative) — and it gets beautifully unhinged in the best way.

We’re joined by two guests who meet for the first time on mic:

🎨 Rachael Bridge — featured in Mortal Machine’s current 3-person show “Mood Lighting” alongside Alex Garant and Ruby Roth. Rachel talks about her painting process (shooting her own references, directing models, building atmosphere with lighting), what makes a great opening night, and the weird realities of showing work in non-art venues.

🎤 Catie Santos — New Orleans comedian + producer (and Open Mic From Hell regular) who’s approaching her one-year anniversary producing shows in the city. Katie breaks down what it’s like building comedy from scratch, producing “shows in places that shouldn’t have shows,” and the difference between producing for ego vs producing for the experience.

And then… Catie drops an all-timer story:

 She almost became the lead of a cruise-based reality dating show with her online “Splenda Friend” — complete with a proposed on-camera engagement storyline, big money, and a 12-episode order that she ultimately walked away from.

Also in the mix:

• Urban South beers and judging beer by the can like it’s gallery art
• Reality TV debates (Rock of Love supremacy, Jersey Shore, Love Island, Big Brother)
• Comedy vs art: what gets thrown at you (beers vs paintings), and why it hits different
• Why galleries don’t accept submissions (and how curation really works)
• Social media’s impact on artists and galleries — and why “follower stats” can be a red flag in both art and comedy

If you’re into New Orleans culture, creative hustle, behind-the-scenes art world talk, or comedy producer brain, this episode is for you.

Guests:
Rachel Bridge — IG: @raechelbridge | rachelbridgeart.com
Catie Santos — IG: @casuallycatie

Mortal Machine Gallery: mortalmachine.nola.com
 Visit in the French Quarter: 940 Royal Street

Chris and Gabe are joined by masters of mixology and sleight-of-hand to talk about what really goes into creating unforgettable nights in New Orleans — behind the bar and behind the curtain.

From building the perfect drink… to building the perfect illusion… this episode dives into the overlap between hospitality, performance, psychology, and straight-up showmanship.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to control a room — whether with a shaker tin or a deck of cards — this one’s for you.

Recorded on location in the French Quarter. Strong drinks. Stronger stories.

In this kickoff episode, we crack open the origin stories behind the gallery, the culture surrounding it, and the wild overlap between tattoo art, stand-up comedy, and New Orleans nightlife.

From behind-the-scenes gallery moments to road stories, creative philosophy, and the chaos that happens when artists and comedians share the same table — this episode sets the tone for everything to come.

If you’re into tattoo culture, underground art, comedy podcasts, or French Quarter energy, you’re in the right place.

Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring artists, comedians, and cultural troublemakers.