To any reasonable person, hearing music coming from an abandoned laundromat might give off the impression that it’s haunted. But don’t jump to too many conclusions, it could just be a new band practicing. 

Inside what used to be Doc’s Laundry and Linen Service is a different type of dirty clothes: Doc’s Dirty Laundry. 

Drawing inspiration from artists like Briston Maroney, Lynyrd Skynyrd and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, this band is taking Baton Rouge and other college towns gig by gig. They said that they live by one principle: “The chill comes first.”

They have had a quick start after a long break over the summer as they rearranged themselves to adjust to the loss of their original drummer.

Upon walking in the building, you’ll find yourself in a personalized practice room where Simon, lead singer Collin Blanchard, drummer Christian Wales and bassist Miles Walley practice at least twice a week. Decked out with string lights and a homemade Doc’s Dirty Laundry banner, the group has made it their own. 

“There’s such a rich culture and a really cool group of people, especially at LSU,” guitarist Gordie Simon said about the music scene in Baton Rouge. 

The group is booked and busy for the rest of the year, with shows going all the way into late November. The gigs aren’t just limited to Baton Rouge, and the band is excited to hit the road and head to other places like College Station to perform for Texas A&M’s fraternities.​​ 

They’re not new to travel, Simon recalled a time last semester when he received a call in class that the band had to be on the road that night to make it to a gig in Chapel Hill, North Carolina the next day. 

“To do that in less than 12 hours notice is pretty dedicated to the craft,” Simon said. 

A part of that “chill comes first” ethos shows in the group’s stage presence. One of the most notable features about the group is that they are usually in matching outfits, whether it’s suits, jumpsuits or lederhosen, they’re a packaged deal. 

This past year, they’ve been on the move. Performing at Tiger TV’s “Battle of the Bands,” winning first place at Phi Mu’s “Bonnamu” and traveling to College Station, Texas to open for the Stews; they had a jammed-pack spring. 

“We’ve been very fortunate with the opportunity to travel,” Simon said. 

Audiences are usually greeted with tunes like Briston Maroney’s “Freakin’ Out on the Interstate” or Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie.” Like many other bands in the area, they’re hoping to slowly integrate some originals in the future. Nothing is coming out soon, but just keep an eye out because they’re slowly cooking 

“It’s been a dynamic change. A really awesome dynamic change though,” Simon said. “We really hit the ground running.” 

Whether it’s sleeping in hammocks while on the road, a trailer full of equipment detaching from their car on Interstate-10 or Wales’ bumper getting sawed off while they were busy on stage at their last performance at the Revelry, there’s always something going on with Doc’s Dirty Laundry. 

For more information on where to catch their next show, check out their Instagram @docsdirtylaundry.