Heavy retail armor, being treated as a musician, not a liability, and choosing not to work with gatekeepers are part of Hilary’s conversation with Jennifer Turpin and Adam Brilla from Stompbox Sonic. Plus, preventing tokenism in hiring.

Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors!

EarthQuaker Devices- extra special effects pedals made by hand in Akron, OH!

Holcomb Guitars- custom guitars and mobile guitar repair in RI/MA!

Demonic Machines- LGBTQ+ owned, small-batch, handmade pedals in San Diego, CA!

STOMPBOX SONIC’s BIO

STOMPBOX SONIC provides musicians with an extensive tonal palette for auditory exploration.

Specializing in effects pedals (aka “stompboxes”) built by companies large and small, some locally crafted, some collected from around the world.

Our goal is to ignite the creative spark and help you navigate all those switches and blinking lights to bring your music to life.

Since 2009 guitarist, songwriter, and noise maker Adam Brilla (he/him) and artist, musician, facilitator Jennifer Turpin (she/her) have been working with sound-based artists and musicians helping them discover their sound.

Jen has been an active member of the GRCB community since 2013, leading effects pedals workshops, teaching guitar and bass, and coaching bands. Most recently she has been drumming in a feminist punk band Pitstain as well as Babes of Mutilation.

Adam began his musical journey in 1988. This expedition brought him opportunities to perform, record and tour with a variety of New England area bands including Lockgroove, Broken River Prophet, Animal Hospital Ensemble, Seana Carmody, Tiny Amps, Bicker, Argo Arkestra, Me Jane, Charlene, Fury Things, and Kansas City based Your Reflection.

Together they have provided Boston area musicians the opportunity to explore new sounds and create new music through 1:1 soundtastings as well as interactive effects exhibits, at the Museum of Science and Microsoft for the New England Synth Fest.

Both Adam and Jen have new, as of yet, unnamed musical projects in the works, each debuting in 2023.

STOMPBOX SONIC’s MENTIONS

Seana Carmody / The Swirlies / Syrup USA / Black Sabbath / Iron Maiden / Low / Pixies / Girls Rock Campaign Boston / NAMM / Barnstorm / TT the Bear’s / Middle East Club / Empire Guitars / Mike Samos / Boston Synth Fest / New England Synth Fest / Beats by Girlz / Hagstrom / Epiphone / EarthQuaker Devices / Hovercraft / C&C Drums / Paiste Cymbals / Dream Cymbals / Montoya / Hondo

STOMPBOX SONIC’s LINKS

Online Shop

Instagram

200 Pedals at Once!

Pitstain

Seana Carmody

Animal Hospital Ensemble

Lockgroove

Broken River Prophet

Your Reflections

Tiny Amps

MID-RIFF LINKS

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Newsletter

Blog 

Gender and Music Gear Experiences Report

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Bumper Music: “No Excuses” by Pitstain

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri