“I picked Irma Thomas for a lot of reasons. Sentimental value, I guess. Almost 10 years ago—I grew up in Slidell—Irma Thomas was maybe the first New Orleans artist I ‘discovered.’ Her music means a lot to me. I grew up playing guitar and singing and soul music is something I’ve always connected with the most because it suits my vocal range, and her music sits right there, perfectly. I sing Irma Thomas wherever it strikes me. In the shower—and other places [laughs].

‘If time would stand sti...