Recorded at Harry's Corner in the French Quarter, this no-guest episode finds Gabriel Shaffer and Chris Trew talking shop about growth, risk, and what it actually takes to expand a creative business in New Orleans. The conversation centers on Gabe opening a brand-new Mortal Machine location literally right next door at 938 Royal—why now, what changed, and what no one tells you about scaling art spaces in the Quarter. Expect candid behind-the-scenes talk about real estate, community, burnout, momentum, and betting on yourself—plus the usual bar-level honesty.

Artist Arik Roper joins the Mortal Machine Podcast to talk about New Orleans as a true art city, his experiences creating iconic cover art for legendary bands like Sleep, and what actually makes a great art exhibition.

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.

Artist Mab Graves joins the podcast live at SCOPE Art Show during Miami Art Week to talk about her dark-whimsical universe, building a recognizable visual language, and carving out space for deeply personal work amid the chaos of the art-fair world.

Buy Mab's work at Mortal Machine.

In this episode of Two Drink Minimum Gabe and Chris pre-game their upcoming trip to Scope Miami.