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Mid-Riff — Music
Mid-Riff

Music is a powerful tool for personal and political change. Unfortunately, cis women, trans, and gender-expansive folks have not always been well-represented at the mic (or guitar, bass, drums, keyboard… you get the idea!). If you are a music gear manufacturer, retailer, or venue-owner who wants to learn how to make your customers’ and employees’ experiences better or a musician who wants to hear both hilarious and horrifying stories from folks like you, Mid-Riff can help. Mid-Riff features interviews with musicians, makers, and sellers from a variety of experiences and identities as well as tips to create awesome music spaces and workplaces. Follow for more: www.hilarybjones.com/midriffpodcast www.instagram.com/midriffpodcast www.facebook.com/midriffpodcast

Copyright: © Copyright 2020 Hilary B. Jones

Latest Episodes:

022 / Anjimile on Gear Flexibility and Guitar Mysteries Dec 03, 2020

Show notes

Hilary talks with Anjimile about getting famous during a pandemic (my words, not his!), the sweet, sweet Ableton grid, his songwriting order of operations, having a Google Doc for that, and the Bob’s Burgers Concentration Challenge (tm). Plus, empathy and longing for live music.

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!

Bookworm Effects- novel pedals with art designed by regional WV artists!

ANJIMILE’S BIO

Anjimile Chithambo, known mononymously as Anjimile, is a queer and trans songmaker based in Boston, MA. When it comes to composition, Anjimile draws upon everything he’s learned, from the African pop beloved by his parents to his time in youth choir to later influences from Iron & Wine and ‘80s music. Inspired by faith, addiction, and Anjimile’s own transition, his debut album Giver Taker tells a small story in each song that encompasses a larger voyage of self-discovery.

ANJIMILE’S MENTIONS

Fender / Walrus Audio / TC Electronic / Boss / Wampler / Ableton / Audacity / Isotope / Martin / Taylor / Electro-Voice / Rode / Vox / L.R. Baggs / Focusrite / Golden Age / Teenage Engineering / Korg / Tune-Yards / Franz Ferdinand / Jimi Hendrix / Gabe Goodman / Justine Bowe / Doug Beilmeier / Photocomfort / Magic Man / Future Teens

ANJIMILE’S LINKS

MID-RIFF LINKS

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

CREDITS

Anjimile’s Bumper Track: “Maker” by Anjimile

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

021 / Katy Otto on Copper Snares and Drumming While Pregnant Nov 18, 2020

Show notes

Hilary talks with Katy Otto (Rainbow Crimes, Trophy Wife, Exotic Fever Records) about growing up in the punk/activist DC scene, starting and running a record label, raising a white boy, and drums as DIY EMDR.

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!

Bookworm Effects- novel pedals with art designed by regional WV artists!

KATY’S BIO

Katy Otto has been playing drums in DIY punk bands for twenty-five years. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband, five year old, and newborn. For the past twenty years she has run the DIY record label Exotic Fever Records. She works at a nonprofit public interest law firm in communications. She's freelanced for a number of publications over the years. Check out her current Philly band Rainbow Crimes and a few of her past bands: Trophy Wife, Callowhill, and Del Cielo.

MENTIONS

Patty Schemel- Hole / Fugazi / Bonnie Schlegel- Bald Rapunsel / Sara Clem / Kim Coletta- Jawbox, DeSoto Records / Jenny Toomey & Kristen Thomspon- Simple Machines Records / War on Women / Black and Brown Workers’ Cooperative / Diane Foglizzo / Alex Smith / Leah Basarab / Resistor / Madeline Campbell- Women in Sound Zine / Hum / 120 Minutes / She Shreds Magazine / Tom Tom Magazine / Girls Rock Camp Alliance / Save Our Stages / United Musicians and Allied Workers Union / “When The Drummers Were Women”- Layne Redmond / Pearl / Ludwig / Tama / Vic Firth / Atomic Music

KATY’S LINKS

Exotic Fever Records Website

Rainbow Crimes Bandcamp

Trophy Wife Bandcamp

Callowhill Bandcamp

Del Cielo Bandcamp

MID-RIFF LINKS

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

CREDITS

Katy’s Bumper Track: “Into Sunburst Sand We Disappear” by Rainbow Crimes

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

020 / Ice on Quiet Shredding and Getting Beyond Black T-Shirts Nov 05, 2020

Show notes

Hilary talks with Ice about becoming a fan of fanned fret guitars, freezing epic metal beach videos, snow leopards, and song-writing. Plus, precarious manhood.

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!

ICE’S BIO

Guitarist and songwriter, Issielle Johnson, aka Ice, started her musical journey by jamming in local bars and bands in the Bay Area. She later displayed her songwriting abilities by posting them online on YouTube. She caught the attention of guitar and gear companies such as Ormsby Guitars, Stringjoy, and EarthQuaker Devices to name a few. Ice released her EP, "SOLITARY" on September 20th, 2020.

ICE’S MENTIONS

Reaper / Neural DSP / Yamaha / Ibanez / Jackson / Legator / Ormsby / EarthQuaker Devices / Peavey / Fret Wrap / Black Dahlia Murder / Killswitch Engage / Doro / Lita Ford / Guitar Gabby / Ghetto Songbird / Sarah JoAnne Draper

ICE’S LINKS

MID-RIFF LINKS

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

MID-RIFF NOTES

Rhode Island History in Slave Trade

Scene on Radio- Men

Precarious manhood

CREDITS

Ice’s Bumper Track: “We Kill at Dawn” by Ice

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

019 / Pamela Cole and Ellen Angelico (Fanny’s House of Music) on the Tornadovirus and Catalogue Guitars Oct 21, 2020

Show notes

Hilary talks with Pamela Cole and Ellen Angelico (Fanny’s House of Music) about creating “Nashville’s Most Comfortable Music Store,” the specificity of oppression, and treating everyone like Joe Bonamassa. Plus, Music Store Salesperson Tropes.

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!

PAMELA’S BIO

Pamela Cole (she/her) is a co-owner of Fanny's House of Music in Nashville, TN. Cole is a bass player and music industry veteran. Driven by the mission that music stores should be comfortable for everyone, including women and young girls, Cole and co-owner Leigh Maples founded Fanny's in 2009. Since then, Fanny's has become a cornerstone of its East Nashville neighborhood. Never straying too far from the mission, in 2020 Cole and Maples announced the creation of Fanny's School of Music, a nonprofit that will greatly increase Fanny's ability to serve the neighborhood with lessons, workshops, performances, and music therapy.

ELLEN’S BIO

Ellen Angelico (she/her) is a musician and employee at Fanny's House of Music. Known for her professionalism, style, and bright personality, Angelico has been featured on numerous records and played just about everywhere from the Grand Ole Opry to Križanke. When she is not backing up a variety of talented acts (Cam, Uncle Kracker, Delta Rae, and many more) you can find her behind the front counter at Fanny's House of Music. In 2015, Angelico began producing light-hearted YouTube videos for Fanny's in a series called Ellen's Favorite Thing at Fanny's of the Week. Now closing in on its 200th episode, Angelico committed to providing earnest, medium-quality gear reviews for folks who are bored.

MENTIONS

Libby Callaway / Leigh Maples / Brittany Howard / Musicman / Fender / Harmony / Kay / Gretsch / Rickenbacker / Dismal Ax / Goya / 3rd Power / She Rocks Awards / Bonnie Raitt / Joan Jett / Elizabeth Cotten / Third Wave Music / Silvertone / Mesa Boogie / Joe Bonamasa / Robert Plant

FANNY’S LINKS

Fanny’s House of Music

Fanny’s School of Music

MID-RIFF LINKS

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

CREDITS

Fanny’s Bumper Track: “Hawaii” by Ellen Angelico

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

018 / Ash Farrand (hissquiet) on Falling in Love with Turning Knobs Oct 07, 2020

Show notes

Hilary talks with Ash Farrand about the potential of genderlessness on the internet, the gear tinkerer community, and the importance of just starting. Plus, the patriarchy’s negative impact on men.

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!

ASH’S BIO

hissquiet uses glistening tones and dark ambience to blur the lines between comfort and chaos. With a refined minimalism and lightning focus on sound design the one person music project displays an ability to create scenes and emotions through vast evolving soundscapes. hissquiet, aka Ash Farrand, is also an experienced graphic designer, fine artist, and web developer.

ASH’S MENTIONS

Elektron / Chase Bliss / Tomkat / Dwarfcraft / Ableton / Roland / Moog / Adobe / Jamuary / True Cuckoo / Anne Sulikowski / Black Moth / EarthQuaker Devices / Fender Squier / Korg / Black Circuits / Otto Klammer / Anne Sulikowski / Krost / Marci.DH / Yonat Hafftka / Illixie / Moxy Martinez / Helene Vogelsinger

ASH’S LINKS

MID-RIFF LINKS

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

CREDITS

Ash’s Bumper Track: “Murmur” by hissquiet

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

017 / Roz Raskin (NOVA ONE) on Comfort and Custom Guitars Sep 23, 2020

Show notes

Hilary talks with Roz Raskin (NOVA ONE) about emotional labor, safer spaces, and entering the pedal universe.

ROZ’S BIO

Roz Raskin is a writer, musician, community organizer, and teacher based in their hometown of Providence, Rhode Island. They currently serve as a board member and keyboard instructor for RIOT, a non-profit organization that empowers youth through music and creativity. Roz toured for over ten years with their critically acclaimed art rock band, Roz and the Rice Cakes (Team Love Records), and can more recently be seen touring in their cosmic pop project, NOVA ONE (Community Records). Roz also curates safer musicians show spaces under the name SELF LUV and teaches songwriting and piano locally.

ROZ’S MENTIONS

Nord / Holcomb Guitars / Korg / MXR / Boss / Fender / Empire Guitars / Mike Samos / Billie Eilish / Big Nice Studio / Bradford Krieger / Chaimes Parker / RIOT RI / Self-Luv Booking / Rhode Island College / Better Help

ROZ’S LINKS

MID-RIFF LINKS

Blog (Music Gear Bechdel Test, What Men Can Do, etc.)

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

CREDITS

Roz’s Bumper Track: “Lovable” by NOVA ONE

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

016 / Seana Carmody & Joyce Raskin (Swirlies, Scarce) on the Power & Pain of Heavy Gear Sep 09, 2020

Show notes

Hilary talks with Seana Carmody (The Swirlies) & Joyce Raskin (Scarce) of the Red Jumpsuit Podcast about moving in with your podcast-mate / bandmate, getting kicked out of Nation of Ulysses, a green room visit from Drew Barrymore, and the joys of playing a Gumby guitar. Plus, tips for men in the industry to make change.

RED JUMPSUIT BIO

Staring into the sea, Seana and Joyce toyed with the idea of making a podcast. Why not contribute to the already flooded podcast market? So it began experimentally into the phone. Joyce bought a red jumpsuit and Seana said, "There you have it." They delved hard into the murky past of music adoration and the joys of indie rock freedom. Thankfully, their badass lady friends also signed up to converse about such topics. We hope you love our rock talk. Seana and Joyce have been playing music collectively in bands for a long time including The Swirlies, SyrupUSA, Scarce and Reindeer among others. During the pandemic they formed a new band called Nightspell and they will be recording in the fall.

MENTIONS

Karen Orsi / Nation of Ulysses / For Heaven’s Sake / Thee Hydrogen Terrors / Girls in Vinyl / Nada Surf / Kim Coletta / All Your Things Are Gone / Roger Lavalle / Aching to Be / Michael Barbiero / Guns ’n’ Roses / Hole / Courtney Love / Superdrag / Nada Surf / Drew Barrymore / Mr. Music Peavey / Electro-Harmonix / ProCo / Boss / Fender / Guild / Ludwig / DW

SEANA & JOYCE’S LINKS

Red Jumpsuit Website

Red Jumpsuit Instagram

Red Jumpsuit Facebook

Scarce Bandcamp

Scarce Facebook

Scarce Instagram

Seana’s solo Bandcamp

Reindeer Bandcamp

MID-RIFF LINKS

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

CREDITS

Seana & Joyce’s Bumper Track: “All Day Long” by The Shop Assistants

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

015 / Mona Tavakoli (Jason Mraz, Raining Jane) on Being Present with Drums Aug 27, 2020

Show notes

Hilary talks with Mona Tavakoli (Raining Jane, Jason Mraz, Ebi) about playing Sesame Street, crushed NBA dreams, and reintroducing herself to her culture. Plus, tips for companies to make change when they don’t know where to start.

MONA’S BIO

Mona Tavakoli is a Los Angeles-based drummer, singer and performer who believes in making music that unites, elevates and connects.

While Mona is equally comfortable performing as a drummer and a percussionist, she is especially known for adapting the cajón to unexpected genres such as rock and pop. She began playing the Peruvian percussion instrument as a college student taking a flamenco dance class. She’s since designed a signature instrument called The MT Box.

Mona started playing drums at age 11 and blossomed into a tenor drum star in her High School marching band. She began her professional musical career in 1999 at UCLA as a founding member of Raining Jane, an all-female rock band. More recently, Raining Jane co-wrote and recorded YES! (Atlantic Records) with Jason Mraz. In support of the album they toured internationally for two years. As a solo percussionist, Mona has collaborated with Pat Benatar, Colbie Caillat, Sara Bareilles, and many more.

She is a co-founder and co-director of the Rock n’ Roll Camp For Girls Los Angeles, a nonprofit that encourages girls to find their voices through music during an intensive, weeklong summer day camp. Mona also promotes music education by hosting rhythm workshops at elementary schools and colleges around the country.

Mona is endorsed by: DW Drums and Hardware, Gibralter Hardware, Latin Percussion, Remo Percussion, Roland Electronic Percussion, Sabian Cymbals, Sennheiser Microphones and Vater Percussion.

MENTIONS

Raining Jane / Sara Bareilles / Jason Mraz / Christine Stevens / Ebi / Pema Chodron / Kelly Clarkson / Guitar Center / Daisy Rock / Latin Percussion / Shure / Pearl / DW / Band Lab

MONA’S LINKS

MID-RIFF LINKS

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

CREDITS

Mona’s Bumper Track: “IWF Mother’s Day V2” by Mona Tavakoli, Shiva, Becky Gebhardt & Houda Zakeri

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

014 / Penny Haas (Reverend Guitars) on Calculating the Jerk Ratio Aug 13, 2020

Show notes

Hilary talks with Penny Haas (Reverend Guitars) about short scale basses and accessibility, working with Meshell Ndegeocello, Jen Wasner, and Mike Watt, and a pandemic escape to Brian May’s butt muscles (you’ll see!).

PENNY’S BIO

Penny Haas is the COO of Reverend Guitars, in charge of all social media and outside marketing, as well as the day-to-day operations at Reverend. She brings a civilized charm to the booth in contrast to the sometimes unruly behavior of Ken and Joe, and “makes the trains run on time”. Penny holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History & Film, has been a pianist since 1981 and a guitarist since 1999. She’s also a proud mom/step-mom of four.

MENTIONS

Polka Floyd Show / Korg SV1-73 / Reverend Hellhound / Meshell Ndegeocello / Jen Wasner (Wye Oak) / Mike Watt / Ron Ashton (The Stooges) / Brad Howser (Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians) / Reverend Sentinel / Brian May / Joe Naylor

PENNY / REVEREND LINKS

MID-RIFF LINKS

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

CREDITS

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

013 / Mindy Abovitz Monk (Tom Tom Magazine) on Doing Things in Beta Jul 30, 2020

Show notes

Hilary talks to Mindy Abovitz Monk (Tom Tom Magazine) about alien bat mitzvahs, Tom Tom’s dreams for the future, and thanking Ira Glass. Plus, The Music Gear Bechdel Test.

*Content warning for discussions of sexual violence (not detailed)- 5:55 to 54:10 is free from this content

MINDY’S BIO

Mindy Abovitz Monk is an award-winning entrepreneur and social activist, committed to diversifying the music industry. Through her media company Tom Tom Magazine and the contest she co-founded, Hit Like a Girl, Mindy has inspired a global audience of musicians to play with power and pride. In 2018, she was recognized by the Grammys as a Change Agent and she is a recipient of the She Rocks Award.

MENTIONS

RIPT (The Lydia Pinkum Experience) / DW / Boss / Chops TV / Percussion Plus / Zildjian / Laura Taylor / Guitar Center / Tipping Point / Hot Water Music / Less Than Jake / Bitchin’ / Civic Media Center / Wayward Council / Against Me! / The Woodser / Natalja Kent / Todd P / TV on the Radio / White Magic / Matt & Kim / Promark / Evans / D’Addario / Latin Percussion / Gretsch / Gibraltar / Reverb / Roland / TRX / Modern Drummer

MINDY/TOM TOM’s LINKS

MID-RIFF LINKS

Thanks for rating/reviewing on Apple Podcasts!

CREDITS

Mindy’s Bumper Track: “Now Now” by The Good Good

Theme Music: "Hedonism" by Towanda

Artwork by Julia Gualtieri

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