Hilary calls for help from the bottom of her basement by asking you to complete the Mid-Riff Listener Survey!

—How can Mid-Riff best achieve its goal of making change in the industry? 

—What do you want to hear more or less of? 

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You can answer these questions and more AND get entered to win a $100 Visa gift card. Simply complete the survey and email Hilary with the headline “raffle” and you’re IN!

Thanks so much to you, Mid-Riff listener, for your continued support and input!

MID-RIFF LINKS

Mid-Riff Listener Survey

Website

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CREDITS

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

Hilary talks with Denise Meza-Reidpath and Rikki Davis, Co-Executive Directors of RIOT Rhode Island about gear loan libraries, instrument doulas, Steely Dan, and the stigma of being a vocalist. Plus, why are there no boys rock camps?

Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors! 

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

Stompbox Sonic- personalized pedal curation and sales in Somerville, MA!

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

RIKKI’s BIO

Rikki Davis (they/them) is a vocal instructor, songwriter, arts administrator, and activist from Providence, RI. They started working at RIOT RI in 2018, and currently hold the role of co-executive director at the organization. They are the vocalist and bassist in the gay wedding band Tenderhooks. Rikki is passionate about disrupting hierarchies, promoting community care, demystifying music making, and giving youth the tools they need to thrive. When it's not a literal pandemic, Rikki is a skater with Providence Roller Derby under the alter ego, RetroRocket.

DENISE’s BIO

Denise Meza-Reidpath (she/her/ella) is a self identified bicultural feminist, who was born and raised in Sinaloa, Mexico, but has been rooted in Providence, RI for over 10 years. She has an educational background in sociology, multicultural communication and secondary education.

As one of the Executive Co-Directors at RIOT Rhode Island, the cornerstone of her work is youth development, gender justice and healing. A musician born out of the reciprocity with nature and others, she finds inspiration in a myriad of music genres and likes to approach music with the same embodiment curiosity and exploration as identity, always shifting.

MENTIONS

Tender Hooks / Tall / Michael Kelly / EarthQuaker Devices / Woodrow / Novation / Boss US / Rogue / Dolly Parton / Steely Dan / Blind Faith / Phoebe Bridgers / Kimya Dawson / Ani DiFranco / The Weepies

RIKKI and DENISE’s LINKS

RIOT RI on Instagram

RIOT RI on Facebook

RIOT RI’s website

MID-RIFF LINKS

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Newsletter

Blog 

Hilary on The High Gain Podcast

Hilary on Down Time

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

CREDITS

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

Hilary talks with Ciyadh Wells (Musically Cogitating Podcast, Margins Guitar Collective, Duo Charango) about guitar societies, creating community, carbon strings, and musicians’ relationships with the non-profit industrial complex. Plus, a defense of sparkly guitars.

Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors! 

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

Stompbox Sonic- personalized pedal curation and sales in Somerville, MA!

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

CIYADH’S BIO

Ciyadh Wells is a multifaceted musician who prides herself in not only being an artist but also an activist, and a scholar. As a scholar and educator, Wells believes everyone deserves access to diverse and inclusive art, which she advocates as being essential to society. Ciyadh’s mission is to utilize the impact of music old and new, to manifest moments of meaningful change and to inspire community therein. She is the Artistic & Executive Director of Margins Guitar Collective and she is a former member of the Sphinx LEAD program. Ciyadh is one half of guitar duo, Duo Charango, and lives in Austin, Texas.

MENTIONS

Steven Walter Guitar / Squier / Electro-Harmonix / Line 6 / EBow / Max MSP / Jimi Hendrix

CIYADH’S LINKS

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Website

Podcast

MID-RIFF LINKS

Website

Instagram

Facebook

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Blog 

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

CREDITS

Ciyadh’s Bumper Track: “Ofrendas” by Ciyadh Wells

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

In this replay episode, Hilary talks with Alice Bag about in-ear monitor envy, GarageBand demoing for her new record, Sister Dynamite, and how being “the first” is like hosting a dinner party.

New Content: Addressing music gear companies’ concerns when beginning to diversify their hiring process.

Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors! 

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

DistroKid- simple online music distribution service! (use this link for a 7% discount!)

Stompbox Sonic- personalized pedal curation and sales in Somerville, MA!

ALICE’S BIO

Alice Bag is a singer/songwriter, musician, author, artist, educator and feminist. Alice was the lead singer and co-founder of the Bags, one of the first bands to form during the initial wave of punk in Los Angeles. The Alice Bag Band was featured in the seminal documentary on punk rock, The Decline of Western Civilization. Alice went on to perform in other groundbreaking bands, including Castration Squad, Cholita, and Las Tres. She is the author of the critically acclaimed books 'Violence Girl' and 'Pipe Bomb For the Soul.' Her self-titled 2016 debut album received critical acclaim and was named one of the best albums of 2016 by AllMusic. Her second album, Blueprint, was named one of the Best Albums of 2018 by NPR and the Los Angeles Times. Bag’s 3rd album, Sister Dynamite, was released in April 2020.

MENTIONS

The Bags / Stay at Home Bomb / Cholita / Fea / Patricia Morrison / Vaginal Cream Davis / Fertile La Toyah Jackson /Allison Wolfe / Lisa Flores / In the Red Records / Amy Taylor - Amyl & the Sniffers / Teri Gender Bender - Le Butcherettes / Amber Fargano - Fattycakes and the Puff Pastries/ GarageBand / Road amps

ALICE’S LINKS

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

“Breadcrumbs” video

MID-RIFF LINKS

Website

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Facebook

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Blog 

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

CREDITS

Alice’s Bumper Track: “77” by Alice Bag

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

Hilary talks with LG (Thelma and the Sleaze / Queen of S- Mountain) about learning theory in lockdown, Peavey, podcasting, Burger Records, and intentionality around shirtless performances. Plus, teaching kids to recognize representation in media.

Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors! 

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

DistroKid- simple online music distribution service! (use this link for a 7% discount!)

Stompbox Sonic- personalized pedal curation and sales in Somerville, MA!

LG’s BIO

LG is the front-woman for the greatest, all-female, queer, southern rock band of all time, Thelma and the Sleaze and host of Queen of S- Mountain podcast. Season One featured tour storytelling, with an oral history of the band, advice for DIY rockers, and hard truths about the music industry. Season Two showcases the women of rock in this cultural moment, with tales of triumph, highlighting both the current and continuing female dominance in the industry, with interviews from beloved musicians, independent legends, and more.

LG’s LINKS

Thelma and the Sleaze Website

Thelma and the Sleaze Instagram

Thelma and the Sleaze Twitter

Thelma and the Sleaze YouTube

Queen of S- Mountain Instagram

Queen of S- Mountain Spotify

MID-RIFF LINKS

Website

Instagram

Facebook

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Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

CREDITS

LG’s Bumper Track: “High Class Woman” by Thelma and the Sleaze

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

Hilary talks with Marci.DH about escaping the proving ground, creating tension with sonics, stereotype threat, and representation. Plus, parenting as the ultimate prevention.

Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors! 

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

DistroKid- simple online music distribution service! (use this link for a 7% discount!)

Stompbox Sonic- personalized pedal curation and sales in Somerville, MA!

MARCI’s BIO

Marci.DH is a musician from Arizona. Using synthesizers, sequencers, acoustic percussion, and string instruments, she records (and occasionally performs) ... whatever she feels like making. 

MENTIONS

Arturia / Casio / Juno / Protools / Roland / Slammer / Slingerland / Sequential Circuits / Electro-Harmonix / Ash Farrand / The Cure

MARCI’S LINKS

Bandcamp

Instagram

MID-RIFF LINKS

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Newsletter

Blog 

Big Five Media Literacy Questions

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

CREDITS

Marci’s Bumper Track: “Substitute for Self-Esteem” by Marci.DH

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

Hilary talks with Rebecca Jasso (Old Town School Music Store) about her role as a guitar buyer and music retailer, stage banter, Star Search, and guitar body shapes for everyone. Plus, allyship, accompliceship, and co-conspiratorship.

Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors! 

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

Studio 121- recording, production, beats and more in Providence, RI!

DistroKid- simple online music distribution service! (use this link for a 7% discount!)

Stompbox Sonic- personalized pedal curation and sales in Somerville, MA!

REBECCA’S BIO

Chicago native Rebecca Jasso is a singer/songwriter who playfully writes around the themes of love, loneliness, and fantasy, skillfully weaving her melodies into the harmonic fabric of her fingerstyle guitar playing.

Music has had a strong hold over Rebecca since childhood. At age 10, she took up the guitar, and since the very beginning, sought to write good songs. Despite learning at this young age, it wasn't till after college that she worked up the confidence to take her music to the stage. For years she oscillated between playing solo and in bands, with each wave bringing her closer to chiseling out a style that would be her very own.

A visual artist, Rebecca conjures images with her lyrics to insert you into pictures from her own imagination. From soft, autumnal landscapes, to dark, Narnian scenes, each song is a journey into a new story. Her honest voice and beautiful songs will absolutely charm you.

MENTIONS

Norma / Seagull / Martin / Gold Tone / MXR / Reverb / Gibson / Fender / Yamaha / Evan Holmes

REBECCA’S LINKS

Rebecca’s Website

Rebecca’s Instagram

Old Town School Music Store’s Website

Old Town School Music Store’s Instagram

MID-RIFF LINKS

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Newsletter

Blog 

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

CREDITS

Rebecca’s Bumper Track: “Lost and Wandering” by Rebecca Jasso

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

Hilary talks with Tia Bailey (Working Class Music) on signature models and identity, giving up on bands, feeling like a unicorn, Ladders 101, and the difference between retail and YouTube. Plus, moving beyond black squares.

Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors! 

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

Studio 121- recording, production, beats and more in Providence, RI!

DistroKid- simple online music distribution service! (use this link for a 7% discount!)

Stompbox Sonic- personalized pedal curation and sales in Somerville, MA!

TIA’S BIO

Tia Bailey is co-host of Working Class Music, a YouTube channel primarily dedicated to gear demos/reviews with the occasional interview from local bands/artists/people involved in the music scene who don’t normally have a voice or an outlet provided to them. Working Class Music’s main goal is to make entertaining videos that are informative and helpful to every musician of every skill set whether you’re playing in a basement or selling out an arena.

MENTIONS

Weezer / Nirvana / Green Day / Ariana Grande / Kali Uchis / Jason Mays / Get Offset / J. Mascis / Troy Van Leeuwen / H.E.R. / Tash Sultana / St. Vincent / Justin Mendel Johnson / Washburn / Fender / Squier / Gibson / Epiphone / Martin / Orange / EarthQuaker Devices / Walrus Audio / Electro-Harmonix / Boss / Guitar Center

TIA’S LINKS

YouTube

Instagram

MID-RIFF LINKS

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Newsletter

Blog 

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

CREDITS

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

Hilary talks with Aisha Loe (Loe Sounds) about SVTs as protection against misogyny, being homeful, Nine Inch Nails, and the privilege of learning. Plus, music gear jargon.

Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors! 

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

Studio 121- recording, production, beats and more in Providence, RI!

DistroKid- simple online music distribution service! (use this link for a 7% discount!)

Stompbox Sonic- personalized pedal curation and sales in Somerville, MA!

AISHA’S BIO

Aisha Loe is a musician, sound designer and effects pedal maker based in Southern California. Aisha and her wife Fiona have a tiny guitar pedal company called Loe Sounds, that specializes in making new pedals out of discarded items. They are passionate about environmental issues and animal rescue.

MENTIONS

Metallica / X / Ghoul / Mr. Bungle / Peaches / New Order / Massive Attack / Tricky / Portishead / Vic Thrill / Split Enz / Addicted to Fiction / Rush / Crowns on 45 / Sonic Youth / Soundgarden / Jane’s Addiction / Nine Inch Nails / Knitting Factory / Emily Harris / Get Offset / Peavey / Ampeg / EHX / Korg / Mesa Boogie / Fender / Ableton / Freesound.org / Roland / Crowther Audio / Heather Brown Electronicals / Frantone / The Pedal Movie 

AISHA’S LINKS

Website

Instagram

Soundcloud

Bandcamp

MID-RIFF LINKS

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Newsletter

Blog 

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

CREDITS

Aisha’s Bumper Track: “Drama Shakes” by We Float

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

Hilary talks with Rosie Mankato (Mankato Guitars) about building a studio and isolating in the woods, the harsh world of luthier school, trying to make guitar bodies out of trash, and the difference a pleasant guitar store can make. Plus, actual “object”-ification.

Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors! 

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

Studio 121- recording, production, beats and more in Providence, RI!

DistroKid- simple online music distribution service! (use this link for a 7% discount!)

Stompbox Sonic- personalized pedal curation and sales in Somerville, MA!

ROSIE’S BIO

Rosie Mankato is a Brazilian music producer and songwriter (who also makes music for TV, films and even toddler's shows!), which she’s been doing for over 10 years. She is the first woman to graduate from a guitar-making college in Brazil (check them out if you have a translator: http://www.luteria.ufpr.br/portal), and has been making guitars since 2013. She started Mankato Guitars with her partner (who is an awesome artist @desktopgirl) and two colleagues from college (@ateliedeluteria). They hand-make guitars and basses one by one using native woods and trying to use the least machinery possible in the process.

MENTIONS

Fender / Novation / Universal Audio / Amplitube / Humbuster / Gretsch / Dolly Parton / Monica Agena / Norman’s Rare Guitars / Presonus

ROSIE’S LINKS

Mankato Guitars on Instagram

Rosie on Instagram

Rosie on Youtube

Rosie on Bandcamp

MID-RIFF LINKS

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Newsletter

Blog 

Interview with Make More Music

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

CREDITS

Rosie’s Bumper Track: “Holler” by Rosie Mankato

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri