The second episode of The Backup Account Podcast. Jacob and Leo are in New Orleans for Carnival / Mardi Gras month. Leo takes Jacob to his first Second Line and the two talk over how viral social content has had a big effect on New Orleans’ most beloved institutions.
Leo: “The beautiful part about these parades and about Carnival is that you end up with something tangible. A lot of us have replaced the souvenir with media. And there's something really solid and tangible about the experience of Carnival. That is really difficult to explain to people. But that's why you'll go into people's houses and they'll have their little shrine of Carnival throws that they've had for past years.”
Jacob: “People also want something that's free, right? So, recording a memento with your phone is a free way of creating a souvenir. But it also, like we've been talking about, can have some really negative effects.Yes, obviously, a bunch of trash can also have some negative effects. But getting some beads or some souvenirs from a parade from Mardi Gras can be something that you bring home with yourself that doesn't ruin a restaurant or a neighborhood.”
Leo and I have been collaborators for 20 years but this is our very first time turning the mics on opposite each other. As many of you already know, my main gig these days is hosting Telekom Electronic Beats “The Week” podcast here in Berlin. You might not know I was also the producer and co-writer for Leo Herrera’s A Bumpy Ride podcast and a radio host for years. You can read Leo’s wonderful substack here.
