If there is live music happening at Loyola University, there is a large possibility that NOLA Sound has something to do with it. This year, the organization is celebrating 20 years of student led live music in New Orleans.

“NOLA Sound is a live sound company that focuses on sound and lights to help promote and support live music in smaller spaces” said co-presidents Remi Grady-Mullen and Violet Johnson. 

The organization is student run but also operates through Wolf Moon Entertainment, a student run nonprofit entertainment organization affiliated with Loyola’s College of Music and Media.

Michael Girardot, co-founder of NOLA Sound and member of New Orleans based rock band The Revivalists reflected on 20 years of operation. 

“In 2006 some classmates and I started helping the University Programming Board and other campus organizations put on concerts using knowledge we’d learned in our music technology classes,” he said. “Over the next year the organization took shape and eventually became the first Entrepreneurial Unit within the music industry department.” 

Girardot emphasized that 20 years of NOLA Sound “is a testament to all the hardworking students, faculty, and administrators” that have kept it going.

The current leaders, Grady-Mullen and Johnson, both joined NOLA Sound as freshmen and took over during their second semester. 

Grady-Mullen didn’t have much experience with live sound. 

“When I toured Loyola as a high schooler, my tour guide was running NOLA sound.” Grady-Mullen noted, before explaining that they were too scared to get involved due to their lack of sound tech experience. “I just sort of wrote it off and then it just fell into my lap. It’s kinda like a first love.”

Alternatively, Johnson came to Loyola with a heavy background in music, stating that she had experience working in music production and playing music, so she decided to explore live sound.

Today, she runs the majority of the technical aspects of the club while Grady-Mullen focuses on the business side of things. 

“We got into this by just showing up,” Grady-Mullen said. “You can really only learn by doing.”

Running live music events is not an easy feat, the pair noted, especially while focusing on studies and maintaining a social life. 

“At the end of the day, we’re just college students, still actively learning day by day, figuring things out as we go, and doing our best,” Grady-Mullen said. “It’s all about finding balance and not freaking out.”

Grady-Mullen and Johnson explained that tech is an extremely male dominated field, and at the start of their time here, it was clear that NOLA Sound was no exception. Both technicians are working vigorously to show that all people have a place here. 

Both technicians agree that the opportunities presented to them through this organization are vital and have played crucial roles in their success in the industry. Meeting musicians, professors, and other sound engineers has allowed them the opportunity to “make so many connections and talk to people.” 

Through being a part of NOLA Sound, Johnson worked at the Freret Street Festival and got a job at Gasa Gasa. 

“The resources at Loyola have been amazing for us,” Johnson said. 

This past weekend, the duo worked the 38th Annual Folk Alliance conference at the Sheraton. Jonathan McHugh, chair of music industry studies at Loyola weighed in on 20 years of service and NOLA Sound’s recent work: 

“Professor Mike Twillman and I love working with Remi and Violet and the NOLA Sound team as they are talented, eager, and passionate about getting meaningful  real-life work experience. Their tireless work at the 38th annual Folk Alliance conference was exceptional,” McHugh said. 

The team ran both nights of the event for over 30 performers. 

“NOLA sound has such a great heritage… We are excited to ramp up our practical learning company Wolf Moon Entertainment to have NOLA sound as the longest running entrepreneurial entity in our group and we look forward to the next twenty years!” he added. 

NOLA Sound is open to all students regardless of major and both leaders put emphasis on passion over experience.

 “It can be very daunting to get into it… and everybody,when you’re learning, wants to tell you you’re doing the wrong thing,” Grady-Mullen said “We want people to learn, we want people to come in not knowing anything.” 

“We can learn together.” they added. 

After 20 years of operation Johnson and Grady-Mullen feel one thing will always reign true. 

“Live music is so important… People crave intimacy and connection, they need it.” They said.