Record Store Dropouts

Gender Confetti’s Elyse Clouthier (all pronouns) and Sylvia Johnson (they/them and she/her) drop by the studio to talk with the Dropouts about their new full-length album, We’re Gay. The pair reflect on their July 20 album release show at The Wisco (3:20), share the history of their latest song “No Borders” (9:31), dig into the lyric zine for We’re Gay (25:40), and chat about their love for skating and Femme Skate Night (40:02). Tracks from We’re Gay appearing throughout this episode include “No Borders” (6:11), “Deviant” (20:24), and “Wonderbread” (35:05).

To learn more about Gender Confetti and We’re Gay, you may read Scott Gordon’s piece about the band for Tone Madison here.

Gender Confetti kicks off their tour with Gully Boys and Miyha at the Winnebago on July 30. Be sure to pick up their new tape and wish them luck! We’re Gay is also available now via Bandcamp.

Alex and Shaun appreciate your support of this podcast! If you’d like to vote for Record Store Dropouts in the “Favorite Local Podcast” category in Isthmus’ MadFaves poll, you can do so until July 31.

Content warning: Suicide mention, mental health, slavery, genocide

It’s Cancer Season and the Dropouts are all up in their feelings. Alex and Shaun review Mariee Sioux’s latest tearjerker, Grief In Exile, and take a deep dive into their favorite sob-worthy albums (6:26), share lessons they’ve learned about personal and historical grief, and lighten the mood with a game of Astrology Vespucci (25:52).

After the break, Shaun talks with Mariee Sioux about the cover details of Grief In Exile (33:35) and a few videos from the album (37:47) before sharing a listener question (43:26). They also discuss Mariee’s experience at Standing Rock and her activism with the Nisenan tribe (49:11) before discussing collective grieving (55:33) and the use of crying in healing (60:13).

John McCracken’s Microtones piece, Business-Brain Nightmares, can be found here.

Be sure to check out Chris Farren & Jess Abbott’s new astrology podcast, Astro Blast. While you’re at it, consider becoming a Record Store Dropouts patron to receive an exclusive astrology-themed playlist.

You may donate to the California Heritage Indigenous Research Project here, learn how to write letters of support for the Nisenan tribe here, and donate to RAICES here.

Record Store Dropouts is a music-adjacent podcast for music-adjacent people. On their quest for good conversation and trivial knowledge, hosts Shaun Soman and Alex Nelson explore how visual objects (e.g., album covers, music videos) are made and the extent to which they inform the listening experience. Having collectively worked at, erm, one different record store over three months, Shaun and Alex complement their "expertise" by inviting musicians, visual artists, and writers to discuss how music has influenced their work.

On their first episode, Shaun and Alex reflect on Santigold's debut album (1:29) before Native Essence Art creator Natalie Ergas drops by to discuss her artistic process (16:09), what’s on her Western zodiac energy playlist (28:17), and how collage functions in Santigold’s discography (41:03).

The podcast's theme music is "Communication" by a cool Madison band called Disq, which has also played the song at a venue and arts incubator called Communication, Tone Madison's physical home. Shaun and Alex understand "Communication" isn't about Communication, but they like to believe otherwise. Thanks again to Disq and Saddle Creek Records for the use of the song.

If you happen to be in Madison the day this episode drops,—Friday, May 3—Ergas will be celebrating an art opening at Robinia Courtyard, 829 East Washington Ave.

WANTED: Listeners for Record Store Dropouts, a music-adjacent podcast from Shaun Soman and Alex Nelson about people, the music that inspires them, and the stories behind it all. Demonstrates curiosity about local artists, touring musicians, and visual arts. No degree required. For more information, contact [email protected].