Mid-Riff

Latest Episodes:

072 / Thalia Zedek (E, Come, Live Skull) on Hagstrom Love and Sexism Then and Now Oct 11, 2023

Show notes

Sneaking into punk clubs, recording with Don Zientara in high school, working with a record label run by a woman, and the intersection of time, age, and notoriety are part of Hilary’s conversation with guitarist and vocalist, Thalia Zedek.

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!

Distrokid-get your music on streaming services (Mid-Riff listeners get 30% off with this link!)!

THALIA’s BIO

Guitarist/vocalist Thalia Zedek began playing in bands and recording soon after moving to Boston from Washington D.C. in 1979. In 1986, Thalia’s 3rd band, Uzi, released an EP on Homestead Records called “Sleep Asylum” which was later reissued by Gerard Cosloy on Matador Records in 1993. After Uzi broke up Thalia joined established noise rock band Live Skull on lead vocals and relocated to New York. She recorded 2 albums and an EP with them before returning to Boston and founding the band Come in 1991. Come released 4 albums and numerous EP’s and singles on the Matador, Sub Pop, Domino, Glitterhouse and Placebo labels. Their full catalogue is currently being reissued on Fire Records. In 2001 Thalia started releasing solo records under her own name, first on Matador and Kimchee Records and then on the Thrill Jockey label where she continues as an active recording artist to this day. In addition to her solo work Thalia also records and performs with the Thalia Zedek Band and her newer band E, a trio that she started in 2013 with Jason Sanford of Neptune. She was also a member of the now defunct experimental group tK E has released 2 singles, a cassette, 3 LP’s and an EP and are currently working on their 4th LP. Thalia continues to tour in the US and internationally with the Thalia Zedek Band and E, as well as the band Come, who reunited to tour in support of their recent reissues. Her most recent releases are 2021’s “Perfect Vision” LP on Thrill Jockey by the Thalia Zedek Band, and 2022’s “Any Information” EP by E on the Czech label Silver Rocket. In 2023’s E released 7inch “Live at Cave 12” on the 100% Breakfast label.

THALIA’s MENTIONS

The Cramps / Urban Verbs / Patti Smith / The Ramones / Deceits / The Razz / The Nurses / Fingers of Shame / The Shirkers / Limp Records / Stiff Records / Don Zientara / Inner Ear Studio / Jason Sanford / Alec Tisdale / Volcano Kings / Gavin McCarthy / Karate / Ernie Kim / Bob Dylan / Eric Clapton / Dave Davenport / Steve Miller Band / Berklee / Mr. Music / Bettina Richards / Thrill Jockey Records / Boston RPM / Karen Sarkisian / Handsy / Nurse and Soldier / Hidden Fountain / Cortez / Gibson / Peavey / Fender / Danelectro / Silvertone / Hagstrom / Kent / Ampeg / Music Man / Other Space Electronics / Dwarfcraft Devices / Electro-Harmonix / EarthQuaker Devices / Tokai / Ibanez / Boss

THALIA’s LINKS

Thalia Zedek Band website

Thalia Zedek Band Facebook

MID-RIFF LINKS

Gender and Music Gear Experiences Report

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

Support Mid-Riff by shopping on Reverb!

Check out more from Ruinous Media!

Bumper Music: “Smoked” by Thalia Zedek Band

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

071 / Lizzo and the Monsters Aug 17, 2023

Show notes

Is Lizzo a monster? What about Morrissey? What about Jimmy Page or David Bowie or Ryan Adams the guy in that local band who always hits on teenagers or the myriad other artists who have allegedly engaged in behavior that has harmed others? How do we interact with them and their art once the harm is revealed? How does art intersect with the artist’s identities and experiences or our own? In today’s episode, Hilary digs into the nuances of these questions (and *spoiler* there are more questions than answers!).

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!

EPISODE MENTIONS

Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma by Claire Dederer

We Will Not Cancel Us: And Other Dreams of Transformative Justice by adrienne maree brown

MID-RIFF LINKS

Gender and Music Gear Experiences Report

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

Support Mid-Riff by shopping on Reverb!

Check out more from Ruinous Media!

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

070 / Guitar Gabby (TxLips) on Musical Longevity and Access Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

Creating a 25-person musical collective featuring black women and gender expansive musicians, musical strategizing, and AI and appropriation are part of Hilary’s conversation with musician, lawyer, writer, and consultant, Gabriella “Guitar Gabby” Logan.

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!

GABBY’s BIO

Atlanta native Gabriella “Guitar Gabby” Logan is a Strategy Lawyer and proud Spelman College and Vermont Law School graduate. Her passion for perspective fueled her desire to establish TxLips Band, LLC., a global entity that triples as a TxLips Academy, TxLips Consulting Group, and an international female and gender-expansive rock collective. Logan believes it is vital for people to be well-rounded and strategic in creating careers based on passion and built off longevity.

She is the Diversity Editor for Guitar Girl Magazine, President of the Girls Rock Camp Alliance Board of Directors, and a Board Member of the Vermont Law School Alumni Association Board of Directors.

GABBY’s MENTIONS

Diamond / Cry Mob / J Fly / Sister Rosetta Tharpe / Tina Bell / Johnson / Ibanez / Jackson / ESP / PRS / EMG / Ernie Ball / Jodi Head straps / Crate / Fender / Kustom

GABBY’s LINKS

MID-RIFF LINKS

Gender and Music Gear Experiences Report

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

Support Mid-Riff by shopping on Reverb!

Check out more from Ruinous Media!

Bumper Music: “The Dead Pool” by Guitar Gabby & The TxLips Band

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

069 / Can You Play Eminem at Work? Jul 14, 2023

Show notes

A recent court case found that playing songs with offensive lyrics in a workplace can contribute to hostile environment sexual harassment. But what the heck is that? And how can you prevent it? Hilary covers some harassment basics in this episode!

--> Some steps to follow if you've experienced harassment can be found on the EEOC website

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!

MID-RIFF LINKS

Gender and Music Gear Experiences Report

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

Support Mid-Riff by shopping on Reverb!

Check out more from Ruinous Media!

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

068 / Angie Swan (American Utopia, Cee Lo Green, will.i.am) on Flipping a Musical Coin Jun 21, 2023

Show notes

Music as a reputable career choice, boy bands, prophetic guitar tattoos, visiting 34 countries, and the role of those with power in the industry are part of Hilary’s conversation with guitarist Angie Swan.

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!

ANGIE’s BIO

Angie Swan is a guitarist/producer originally from Milwaukee, WI. After Attending Berklee College of Music, Angie worked with artists such as David Byrne ("American Utopia"), Will.i.am, Cee Lo Green, Billy Porter, Fifth Harmony, Ari Lennox, Adam Lambert, Terri Lyne Carrington and many more. She has also toured with Cirque du Soleil’s production Amaluna. Angie is a 2x Grammy nominee and Tony Award recipient. Angie is currently working on releasing her debut album set to be released in late 2023.

ANGIE’s MENTIONS

NAMM / Berklee / Premier Guitar / Guitar World / Paul McCartney / Prince / Joe Satriani / Stevie Ray Vaughn / Tracy Chapman / Robert Cray / Dave Brubeck / Chick Correa / Green Day / Nine Inch Nails / Nirvana / Stone Temple Pilots / Jared Sharp / Talking Heads / Adrian Belew / David Byrne / Jerry Harrison / Wes Montgomery / Jimmy Page / Pete Kepler / Anna Blumenthal / Sam Barsch / Mono Neon / Lyndon Rochelle / Esperanza Spalding / Annie Clark / St Vincent / Justin Tranter / Reeve Carney / Thomas Pridgen / Ronald Bruner / Eddie Brown / Novo Guitars / Fano Guitars / Naggs Guitars / PRS Guitars / Lollar Pickups / Epiphone Guitars / Gibson Guitars / Kauer Guitars / Mesa Boogie Amps / Supro Amps / Kemper Amps / Fender Guitars / EarthQuaker Devices / Walrus Audio / Quarantine Effects / Boss Effects

ANGIE’s LINKS

MID-RIFF LINKS

Gender and Music Gear Experiences Report

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

Support Mid-Riff by shopping on Reverb!

Check out more from Ruinous Media!

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

067 / Getting Active Jun 07, 2023

Show notes

Feeling overwhelmed by the world? Want to come up with a plan to get involved, but need a few ideas? Hilary’s got you (and/or your music-related company) covered.

Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors!

EarthQuaker Devices / extra special effects pedals made by hand in Akron, OH / earthquakerdevices.com

Stompbox Sonic / personalized pedal curation and sales in Somerville, MA / stompbox-sonic.myshopify.com

Holcomb Guitars / custom guitars and guitar repair in RI/MA / holcombguitars.com

Check out images and citations for this episode here: https://www.hilarybjones.com/blog/getting-active

MID-RIFF LINKS

Website / hilarybjones.com/midriffpodcast

Instagram / instagram.com/midriffpodcast

Facebook / facebook.com/midriffpodcast

Blog / hilarybjones.com/blog

Gender and Music Gear Experiences Report / bit.ly/gendergear

Check out more from Ruinous Media / ruinousmedia.com

Thanks for subscribing, rating, and reviewing on your podcast player!

Theme Music / "Hedonism" by Towanda / towanda.bandcamp.com

Artwork / Julia Gualieri / juliagualtieri.com

066 / Why Are There So Few Moms in Music and Gear? May 24, 2023

Show notes

Hilary talks about why there are so few moms in bands and in music gear more broadly and discusses what individuals and companies can do to help moms keep playing and pursuing their careers.

Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors!

EarthQuaker Devices / extra special effects pedals made by hand in Akron, OH / earthquakerdevices.com

Stompbox Sonic / personalized pedal curation and sales in Somerville, MA / stompbox-sonic.myshopify.com

Holcomb Guitars / custom guitars and guitar repair in RI/MA / holcombguitars.com

LINKS FROM EPISODE

Song Sandwich Podcast / instagram.com/song_sandwich

40 Watt Podcast / instagram.com/40wattpodcast

Handsy Instagram / instagram.com/handsybandsy

The Other F Word Documentary / en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Other_F_Word

How Do Abortion Rights Connect to Music Gear? / hilarybjones.com/blog/abortion-rights-music-gear

Second shift / en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Second_Shift

Glass ceiling / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_ceiling

Glass escalator / en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_escalator

Glass cliff / en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_cliff

Feminization of work / digitalcommons.tacoma.uw.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1032&context=gender_studies

Gender wage gap / nytimes.com/2017/05/13/upshot/the-gender-pay-gap-is-largely-because-of-motherhood.html

Motherhood penalty / aauw.org/issues/equity/motherhood/

Are Musical Instrument Gender Associations Changing? / journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0022429409335878?journalCode=jrma

Musical Instrument Experiences YouGov Poll / today.yougov.com/topics/society/articles-reports/2022/08/23/musical-instrument-experiences-yougov-poll

7 Ways Music Retailers Can Support Parents / hilarybjones.com/blog/2021/12/30/7-ways-music-retailers-can-support-parents?rq=retail

State Medical and Family Leave Laws / ncsl.org/labor-and-employment/state-family-and-medical-leave-laws

Lactation Laws / dol.gov/agencies/whd/pump-at-work#:~:text=The%20Fair%20Labor%20Standards%20Act,need%20to%20express%20the%20milk

MID-RIFF LINKS

Website / hilarybjones.com/midriffpodcast

Instagram / instagram.com/midriffpodcast

Facebook / facebook.com/midriffpodcast

Blog / hilarybjones.com/blog

Gender and Music Gear Experiences Report / bit.ly/gendergear

Check out more from Ruinous Media / ruinousmedia.com

Thanks for subscribing, rating, and reviewing on your podcast player!

Theme Music / "Hedonism" by Towanda / towanda.bandcamp.com

Artwork / Julia Gualieri / juliagualtieri.com

065 / NAMM 2023 + Diversity in MI Industry May 04, 2023

Show notes

Mid-Riff went to NAMM and spoke with 6 manufacturers, 4 MI media/demo folks, and 1 retailer to give you the goods re: the current state of the industry/diversity, equity, and inclusion!

The following questions were answered:

What’s rad at NAMM?
What changes have we seen in the industry regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion since 2020?
What changes still need to be made?
Which companies have made major strides re: DEI recently?

By the following awesome industry folks:

Ally Amarall / EarthQuaker Devices / earthquakerdevices.com
Mark Turley / Summer School Electronics / summerschoolelectronics.com
Rob Cavanna / Hiwatt Amplifiers / hiwatt.co.uk
Sasha Dunable / Dunable Guitars / dunableguitars.com
Loki Davidson / Poly Effects / polyeffects.com
Emily Harris / Get Offset / youtube.com/c/getoffset
Joan Braga / Get Offset + Pedal Playhouse / youtube.com/c/PedalPlayhouse
Steve Rowe / 60 Cycle Hum / youtube.com/@60CycleHumCast/podcasts
Ruben Zarate / Seymour Duncan / seymourduncan.com
Johnny Morales / Oakland Guitars / oakland-guitars.com
Jason Mays / Working Class Music / youtube.com/c/workingclassmusic

Also: Looking for an inclusive management training for you or your company? Small manufacturers, luthiers, and retailers, take a peak at the upcoming online course, No Stairway Denied: Creating Inclusive Workplaces in Music running May 9th-June 8th!

Learn more here: bit.ly/nostairwaydenied

Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors!

EarthQuaker Devices / extra special effects pedals made by hand in Akron, OH / earthquakerdevices.com

Stompbox Sonic / personalized pedal curation and sales in Somerville, MA / stompbox-sonic.myshopify.com

Holcomb Guitars / custom guitars and guitar repair in RI/MA / holcombguitars.com

MID-RIFF LINKS

Website / hilarybjones.com/midriffpodcast

Instagram / instagram.com/midriffpodcast

Facebook / facebook.com/midriffpodcast

Blog / hilarybjones.com/blog

Gender and Music Gear Experiences Report / bit.ly/gendergear

Check out more from Ruinous Media / ruinousmedia.com

Thanks for subscribing, rating, and reviewing on your podcast player!

Theme Music / "Hedonism" by Towanda / towanda.bandcamp.com

Artwork / Julia Gualieri / juliagualtieri.com

064 / Emily Hopkins and Russ Fro on Harp Pedal Partners Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

The geariest love story, the gendering of the harp, a solution for nagging wife memes, and leading by example are part of Hilary’s conversation with Emily Hopkins (aka, Emily Harpist) and Russ Fro.

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!

Register for No Stairway Denied Online Course: bit.ly/nostairwaydenied

EMILY and RUSS’s BIO

Emily Hopkins is a classically trained professional harpist who stumbled upon effects pedals and created a YouTube channel with her partner Russ as a resource for all musicians interested in discovering new sounds. With over 22 years playing experience, Emily regularly performs around Long Island, New York, where she resides, and also gives effect pedal clinics with Russ. They are currently working on various soundtracks and scoring projects, as well as regularly live-streaming on YouTube every Wednesday.

EMILY and RUSS’s MENTIONS

Edmark Castaneda / EarthQuaker Devices / Lion and Healy / Salvi / Dusty Strings / 29 Pedals / Empress Effects / Electrofoods / Strymon / Chase Bliss

EMILY and RUSS’s LINKS

MID-RIFF LINKS

Gender and Music Gear Experiences Report

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

Support Mid-Riff by shopping on Reverb!

Check out more from Ruinous Media!

Bumper Music: Always & Forever by Emily Hopkins

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

063 / Values Are Magic Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

Most companies want to be good rolemodels in the industry, but often don’t know where to start. In this episode, Hilary talks about the importance of creating company values and using them to create a better workplace and industry.

She follows up with info on her next online course, No Stairway Denied: Creating Inclusive Workplaces in Music, where folks can learn how to create and use company values and a whole bunch more!

ONLINE COURSE INFO

WHO is this course for?

Managers and small business owners in the music gear industry: retailers, manufacturers, luthiers, etc.

--> Perhaps you *whoops* accidentally started a business because you love music gear

--> You have limited management and/or diversity training

--> You want to meet other cool folks in the industry interested in this topic

--> You are a pretty small company and might not be able to hire someone to do this work 1:1 with your company

--> You really want to create a better workplace and industry

WHAT is this course?

We'll cover a range of management-related topics through the lens of diversity and inclusion, and we will dig into that specifically a bit, too. All content will be directly connected to the industry and taught in a way that is directly applicable to your daily work with tips and tools to get you creating a more welcoming workplace right away!

WHEN is the course?

Running five weeks, May 8th-June 9th, the course is online and at your own speed with a new topic released weekly. There will be optional (but encouraged-- it's a great chance to hear from and connect with others!) weekly check-ins Fridays at 12pm EST!

WHY should you take this course?

You want to be a good role model in your community and in the industry. The industry is changing for the better and you want to be on the front end of that change: for yourself, your employees, and your customers!

HOW can I learn more?

--> Sign up here to get get notified when registration opens: bit.ly/nostairwayinfo

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!

MID-RIFF LINKS