In this season finale, Kiki welcomes back Heta Hyttinen after eight years of our first interview at Tuska Festival in 2018. Together with Katja Vauhkonen, these expert #WomenInMetal share their experiences in artist management and PR as well as why live music remains an irreplaceable experience for Metal fans.

From the real rewards of managing smaller bands to navigating the rise of AI-generated music, Heta and Katja offer a confident perspective on what it really takes for bands to thrive today - SPOILER: there is no true recipe for success.

00:00 Heta Hyttinen & Katja Vauhkonen on the Bleeding Metal Podcast
06:23 The Passion Behind the Industry
10:04 The Evolution of the Music Industry in the Internet Age
17:02 Choosing Musicians and Bands to Manage
22:09 The Music Industry's Dark Side: Sexism
26:03 Balancing Family and Career in Music
27:32 The Role of Accountability in the Music Industry
30:58 Promoting Diversity in the Music Industry
32:50 Creating Opportunities for New Talent

Find out more:

• Heta Hyttinen’s Ginger Vine Management Website

• Katja Vauhkonen’s Website

Recorded on April 23rd, 2026 at On The Rocks in Helsinki.

Bleeding Metal is hosted, produced, and edited by Karina Coss & Kiki⁠ with Riverside⁠.

Subscribe now to the Bleeding Metal Podcast wherever you listen and watch the video episodes on YouTube. Find more links on: https://linktr.ee/bleedingmetalpod

Intro music by ⁠Savvier Nelson⁠⁠⁠ with vocals from himself and Kiki, as well as the familiar jingle vocals from singer Jelena Dobric⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, Kiki welcomes Podcast friend Reetta Sjödin, A&R of Mimmi Label. Her journey from childhood festival-goer to launching a label that champions women, non-binary, and diverse artists proves change is not only possible but necessary.

We break down the importance of community, mentorship, and asking questions in order to open doors that aren’t offered to us. Reetta’s efforts inspire others to challenge societal stereotypes. We also explore the Finnish love for karaoke and its therapeutic effects.

00:00 Bleeding Metal welcomes Pod Friend Reetta Sjödin
04:23 Founding Mimmi Label
06:04 Lessons Learned from Industry Experience
07:07 Karaoke World Championships
08:31 The Popularity of Karaoke in Finland
11:13 Growth and Development of Mimi Label
12:33 The Meaning Behind the Name 'Mimmi Label'
14:18 Dream Collaborations and Artist Aspirations
16:15 Breaking Stereotypes and Promoting Inclusivity

Find out more:

• Check out Mimmi Label's website

• Bleeding Metal episode with IKINÄ

Recorded on May 20th, 2026 at On The Rocks in Helsinki.

Bleeding Metal is hosted, produced, and edited by Kiki with Riverside⁠:

Subscribe now to the Bleeding Metal Podcast wherever you listen and watch the video episodes on YouTube. Find more links on: https://linktr.ee/bleedingmetalpod

Intro music by ⁠Savvier Nelson⁠⁠⁠ with vocals from himself and Kiki, as well as the familiar jingle vocals from singer Jelena Dobric⁠⁠⁠.

Recurring guest and long-time friend of Bleeding Metal, Lindsay Schoolcraft joins Kiki in an episode that touches on everything from all the reasons why Artificial Intelligence should stay away from art, how the patriarchy harms everybody including men, and how different conditionings cultural backgrounds interfere in our abilities to learn vocal techniques.

Lindsay breaks down the stories behind her upcoming album “Harrowing”, the symbolism in its cover art, and how her songwriting keeps evolving but will always keep some of that old-school Evanescence-style. We also go on a little tangent of how joining the lawsuit against her former band CRADLE OF FILTH was actually liberating and supportive of her Mental Health.

00:00 LINDSAY SCHOOLCRAFT Comes Back After Two Years
04:49 Mental Health and Self-Care Practices
06:41 Standing Up for Justice in the Music Industry
09:49 The Impact of AI on Music and Creativity
19:00 Hope for Societal Change driven by Women
23:07 Lindsay's Stories on her New Album "Harrowing"
27:16 The Journey of Learning Harsh Vocals
33:29 The Album Artwork for Lindsay Schoolcraft's "Harrowing"
38:00 Influences and Inspirations in Music
40:57 Lindsay Schoolcraft's Two Albums in Two Years coming up

Find out more:

• Pre-order “Harrowing”

• Follow Lindsay Schoolcraft on Instagram

• Lindsay’s previous Bleeding Metal episode from Nov. 28, 2023

• Cody Johnstone’s Bleeding Metal episode from Nov 27, 2025

• Lindsay’s friend and ‘So Alive’-guest vocalist Krista Shipperbottom on Instagram

Recorded on May 20th, 2026 (with a few internet glitches, sorry!).

Bleeding Metal is hosted, produced, and edited by Kiki with Riverside⁠.

Subscribe now to the Bleeding Metal Podcast wherever you listen and watch the video episodes on YouTube. Find more links on: https://linktr.ee/bleedingmetalpod

Intro music by ⁠Savvier Nelson⁠⁠⁠ with vocals from himself and Kiki, as well as the familiar jingle vocals from singer Jelena Dobric⁠⁠⁠.

Kiki welcomes the inspiring lead singers of Finnish Metalcore pioneers IKINÄ, Katariina and Tuuli, who advocate for more women in the genre, and how the band's latest album, "Valkyria", embodies the power of unity through themes of mythology. Learn about their groundbreaking collaboration 'Jumalatar' that was born from sisterhood and features 16 Finnish female vocalists and three languages.

Together, we break down the importance of representation in metal, how mythological symbols can be sources of solace and comfort, and why the Metal community still needs to go a long way to live up to its reputation of being open-minded and inclusive.

00:00 Bleeding Metal welcomes IKINÄ
03:04 IKINÄ's lead singers and their other jobs
06:38 The IKINÄ Family Dynamic
08:25 Women in Metal Unity: The 'Jumalatar' Collaboration
11:33 Exploring Feminine Power and Mythology
15:43 The Reputation of the Metal Community
19:28 IKINÄ's Festival Summer 2026

Find out more:

• Links to IKINÄ's new album “Valkyria” etc

• IKINÄ's powerful song collaboration with 16 Finnish #WomenInMetal

• A similar dynamic of love, respect, and admiration among band members, during Kiki’s talk with ALPHAWHORES

Recorded on April 25th, 2026 at On The Rocks in Helsinki.

Bleeding Metal is hosted, produced, and edited by Kiki with Riverside⁠.

Subscribe now to the Bleeding Metal Podcast wherever you listen and watch the video episodes on YouTube. Find more links on: https://linktr.ee/bleedingmetalpod

Intro music by ⁠Savvier Nelson⁠⁠⁠ with vocals from himself and Kiki, as well as the familiar jingle vocals from singer Jelena Dobric⁠⁠⁠.

Most artists crave connection but few manage to show vulnerability and turn it into a powerful space for collective healing. In this episode, A.A. Willliams shares her extraordinary transition from classical cellist to the raw, immersive sound of her own songwriting. You'll discover how her classical training gave her a unique vocal and instrumental perspective, enabling her to craft deeply genuine performances that resonate on a profoundly human level.

We break down her approach to staying authentic on social media, her audience interactions during live performances, and her fearless attitude in pitching herself and her music.

00:00 Bleeding Metal welcomes A.A. Williams
02:26 A.A. Williams' Musical Journey and Professional Background
05:23 The Start of AA Williams' Own Songwriting
18:25 Classical Music Studies
24:57 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Opportunities
30:01 Collective Emotional Experience Through Live Music

Find out more:

• A.A. Williams' website

• Pre-order A.A. Williams' upcoming album “Solstice” - out June 5th, 2026

Recorded on April 27th, 2026 on Venue - responsible for the video quality and layout. We’ll be back to our usual design soon!

Bleeding Metal is hosted, produced, and edited by Kiki with Riverside⁠.

Subscribe now to the Bleeding Metal Podcast wherever you listen and watch the video episodes on YouTube. Find more links on: https://linktr.ee/bleedingmetalpod

Intro music by ⁠Savvier Nelson⁠⁠⁠ with vocals from himself and Kiki, as well as the familiar jingle vocals from singer Jelena Dobric⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, Kiki welcomes Podcast friend “Nahka-Sami” Silvennoinen, booking agent, festival promoter, and musician, who shares his unique journey through the music industry. From performing in metal bands to launching inclusive festivals, Sami discusses the importance of diversity, the realities of the industry, and how to foster safe spaces in the live music scene.

This episode is a compelling call to action for the Metal community to truly embrace diversity, purposefully protect inclusive spaces, and reflect the core values that it’s known for. Sami’s honest insights challenge us to think differently and push for real change within our scene.

00:00 Bleeding Metal welcomes Pod Friend Nahka-Sami
04:11 Sami's Musical Journey and Early Influences
12:12 From Musician to the Music Business
20:11 Festival Organization and Gender Representation
22:51 Navigating Politics in the Music Industry
31:09 Creating Safe Spaces at Festivals

Find out more:

• Ankea Festival
• Sami’s band Tyrantti
• Coolhead Brew
• Book More Women

Recorded on April 22nd, 2026 at Coolhead Brew in Helsinki.

Bleeding Metal is hosted, produced, and edited by Kiki with Riverside⁠.

Subscribe now to the Bleeding Metal Podcast wherever you listen and watch the video episodes on YouTube. Find more links on: https://linktr.ee/bleedingmetalpod

Intro music by ⁠Savvier Nelson⁠⁠⁠ with vocals from himself and Kiki, as well as the familiar jingle vocals from singer Jelena Dobric⁠⁠⁠.

TRIGGER WARNING: violence against women

Listen to part I of this episode.

In this second half of Kiki’s conversation with international touring photographer and law‑trained advocate Faye S., we explore some often overlooked, yet crucial, measures Metalheads can take to safeguard artists and industry workers.

Feeling safe in our workplace is vital and the music industry needs to take building inclusive spaces, and leveraging legal and strategic frameworks to prevent violence against women more seriously.

00:00 Part II with Music Photographer & Women's Rights Lawyer Faye
01:32 Preventing Sexist Abuse in the Music Scene
06:15 Consequences and Accountability for Offenders
11:44 Faye's Experiences in the Music Industry
14:55 Social Media's Rage Bait Algorithms
18:36 The Importance of Asking for Advice
20:27 The Joy of Creative Collaboration

Find out more:

• Faye’s Photography and Videography work

• Find international resources around the topics of violence against women on NO MORE.

• Faye mentions Morgan St. Jean’s song “Not All Men”

Recorded on March 24th, 2026 live on Bleeding Metal’s YouTube and Kiki's Twitch channel.

Bleeding Metal is hosted, produced, and edited by Kiki with Riverside⁠.

Subscribe now to the Bleeding Metal Podcast wherever you listen and watch the video episodes on YouTube. Find more links on: https://linktr.ee/bleedingmetalpod

Intro music by ⁠Savvier Nelson⁠⁠⁠ with vocals from himself and Kiki, as well as the familiar jingle vocals from singer Jelena Dobric⁠⁠⁠.

TRIGGER WARNING: violence against women

Power dynamics distort consent in ways the Metal scene rarely acknowledges. In this episode, Kiki welcomes international touring photographer and law‑trained advocate Faye S. to discuss many of the cases of sexist abuse within the Metal community and why legal systems alone can’t stop harm.

Together, we examine why cancel culture isn’t real, how microaggressions, slut‑shaming, and other “normalized” behaviors quietly enable far more serious violence. We also plead for real accountability in a community that prides itself on inclusivity. This is the first half of a heavy but important conversation - please approach with care.

00:00 Music Photographer & Women's Rights Lawyer Faye
03:23 The Reality of Women's Rights and Legal Protections
09:11 The Impact of Social Media on Gender-Based Violence
11:28 Cases or violence against Women in the Metal scene
13:22 Fans defending predatory artists
17:24 Other cases of violence against Women in Metal
20:18 PARKWAY DRIVE and Accountability in the Metal Industry
27:45 Understanding Different Forms of Violence against Women
30:28 Men keeping other men accountable

Find out more:

• Faye’s Photography and Videography work

• Find international resources around the topics of violence against women on NO MORE

• The NOTHING MORE incident through which Kiki met Faye

• We mention the digital assault case on Colllien Fernandes by her abuser Christian Ulmen

• PARKWAY DRIVE address firing merch manager who pleaded guilty of violence against women in an exemplary way

• MENTAL CRUELTY case

• ONE MORNING LEFT’s case

• MAKE THEM SUFFER’s former keyboardist Booka Nile’s case

• ARCHITECTS' 2024-controversy

• ARCHITECTS spoke about it a year later

• Types of Violence Against Women from UN Women - is missing political violence and obstetric violence

• DEVIL MAY CARE on Bleeding Metal

• And DEVIL MAY CARE’s post about Feminism

Recorded on March 24th, 2026 live on Bleeding Metal’s YouTube and Kiki's Twitch channel.

Bleeding Metal is hosted, produced, and edited by Kiki ⁠with Riverside⁠.

Subscribe now to the Bleeding Metal Podcast wherever you listen and watch the video episodes on YouTube. Find more links on: https://linktr.ee/bleedingmetalpod

Intro music by ⁠Savvier Nelson⁠⁠⁠ with vocals from himself and Kiki, as well as the familiar jingle vocals from singer Jelena Dobric⁠⁠⁠.

TRIGGER WARNING: Mental Health

In this episode, Kiki hosts Podcast friend Bernie Lorig, a seasoned musician and host of The Band Show Podcast, to explore the significance of authenticity, self-reflection, and resilience in the dynamic landscape of the metal community.

Let Bernie's insights inspire you to celebrate your milestones, embrace your authentic self, and continue evolving - both in your craft and your life.

00:00 Bleeding Metal welcomes Pod Friend Bernie Lorig
03:09 The Evolution of The Band Show Podcast
09:08 Modesty vs. Self-Recognition
11:21 Change and Authenticity in Life and Music
11:48 Learning from Metal Musicians through Journalism
16:49 The Role of Recognition in Personal Development
20:18 Bernie's Musical Journey and Influences
28:15 GODSLAVE's Loss and Tribute
30:58 Mental Health Awareness in Metal
35:24 Reflections on The Complexity of Humanity
40:30 Interviews and Connections in the Metal Scene

Find out more:

• Bernie’s band GODSLAVE

• Bernie hosts The Band Show Podcast:

  • The Band show episode with Kiki about promotion kits for bands

  • The Band Show episode with Kiki about Human Rights in Metal

• Thank you for choosing life, even when it's most difficult. You're not alone. You matter, the world needs you. You can get the help you need: http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html

• HeartSupport is a non-profit that uses music to start conversations about #MentalHealth.

• Bernie recommends Humankind: A Hopeful History by Dutch historian Rutger Bregman. 
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Recorded on March 30th, 2026 live on Bleeding Metal’s YouTube and Kiki's Twitch channel.

Thumbnail photo by Da Noize Pics n' Arts

Bleeding Metal is hosted, produced, and edited by Kiki ⁠with Riverside⁠.

Subscribe now to the Bleeding Metal Podcast wherever you listen and watch the video episodes on YouTube. Find more links on: https://linktr.ee/bleedingmetalpod

Intro music by ⁠Savvier Nelson⁠⁠⁠ with vocals from himself and Kiki, as well as the familiar jingle vocals from singer Jelena Dobric.

Kiki sits down with Massiel Pinzón (vocals/drums) and Juan Carlos “Poti” García de Paredes (guitars/vocals) from ALPHAWHORES.

Their journey from Panama to headline tours across Europe is founded in authenticity, resilience, and the power of music that’s born from identity, not imitation.

ALPHAWHORES shares how their Panamanian groove influences their songwriting and stage presence, and why embracing these roots enriches their sound in today’s oversaturated music scene. Tune in to discover as well, what kind of music they listen to that you’d never expect.

00:00 Interview with ALPHAWHORES at Bambi Galore in Hamburg
02:36 Musical Upbringing and Influences
06:28 Bringing the Latin Groove to Heavy Music
09:40 Advice for Aspiring Musicians
13:03 Gender Representation in Metal Music
16:37 ALPHAWHORES love alfajores.

Find out more:

• ALPHAWHORES' website

• Recommended: CALVA LOUISE’s episode of Bleeding Metal
  ‌

Recorded on March 27th, 2026 at Bambi Galore in Hamburg. Special thanks to the camera man.

Bleeding Metal is hosted, produced, and edited by Kiki with Riverside⁠.

Subscribe now to the Bleeding Metal Podcast wherever you listen and watch the video episodes on YouTube. Find more links on: https://linktr.ee/bleedingmetalpod

Intro music by ⁠Savvier Nelson⁠⁠⁠ with vocals from himself and Kiki, as well as the familiar jingle vocals from PERSONA-singer Jelena Dobric⁠⁠⁠.