Mid-Riff

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! S...

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! Bo...

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 Johnso...

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, b...

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 his...

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...

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...

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 com...

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 c...

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...

Hilary talks with Jacqueline (Jacqui) James (So Over It), about creating inclusive spaces, confrontation through lyrics, and the differences (and similarities) between punk and opera.  JACQUI’S BIO Jacqueline James is a musician and private music instructor from Providence, RI. She manages, fronts, and is the guitarist, singer, and lyricist of the queer punk rock band So Over It. So Over It is inf...

Hilary talks with June Millington of Fanny (the first all-female rock band signed to a major label in 1969) about the Institute for the Musical Arts, how playing guitar is like being a nun, and music as a tool for overcoming shyness. Plus, the socioecological model for making change. BIO June Millington “one of the hottest female guitarists in the industry” (Guitar Player Magazine) has been making...

Hilary talks with Lucy Coykendall (drums, vocals) and Mariana Cuellar (bass, vocals) of G.I.R.L. and assorted other projects (What Cheer? Brigade, etc.) about crushing pre-conceived notions, playing Rush when you aren’t even 20 yet, and being uke-curious. Plus, racism is a cancer. G.I.R.L. BIO G.I.R.L. (Get It Right Loser) are a drums and bass duo based in Providence, RI that has been together for...

Hilary talks with Militia Vox about going to NAMM with Dee Snider, trying out for the Ronettes, and how representation helps kids feel normal. Plus, ageism. MILITIA’S BIO Militia Vox has no regard for genre, gender roles or stereotypes. As a truly modern multi-hyphenate artist and leader with a DIY ethos, she has recorded, toured and performed with some of the best in the business, including: Twis...

Hilary talks with Julie Robbins, CEO of EarthQuaker Devices, one of the biggest little pedal companies in the business. They discuss shutting down “the swimsuit edition”, what it’s REALLY like to be a CEO, and tips for music gear diversity and inclusion at NAMM and beyond! Plus, sexual harassment training. JULIE’S BIO Julie Robbins is an American business woman, entrepreneur, and chief executive o...

Hilary talks with Reba Mitchell of House Red and Whore Paint about her new project, L’Ashes, Craigslist nom de plumes, and being “someone else’s man”. Plus, racism in the workplace. BRANDS / SHOPS MENTIONED Epiphone / Danelectro / Jim Dunlop / Electro-Harmonix / TC Electronic / Boss / Empire Guitars BANDS / OTHER MENTIONS House Red / Whore Paint / L’Ashes / Sonic Youth / Pavement / That Dog / Mari...

Hilary talks with Emily Harris of the Get Offset podcast about impact vs. intent, whether or not Steve Vai is delicious, and getting trolled with words you have to Google. Plus, microaggressions. EMILY’S BIO Emily Harris is co-host of the Get Offset Podcast and YouTube demo channel. She got her first guitar at the age of eight, and it hasn't left her side since. Other than her podcast and demo cha...

Hilary talks with Alice Bag about in-ear monitor envy, GarageBand demoing for her upcoming record, Sister Dynamite, and how being “the first” is like hosting a dinner party. Plus, community agreements in the time of COVID-19. 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...

Hilary talks with Marissa Paternoster about paring down gear and the cognitive dissonance of growing up with Bikini Kill AND Pantera. Plus, five hiring tips! MARISSA'S BIO Marissa Paternoster is an artist, singer, and guitarist originally from New Brunswick, New Jersey. She is the lead singer and guitarist in the bands Screaming Females and Noun. Screaming Females is a 3-piece DIY, punk rock ’n’ r...

Mid-Riff went to NAMM and Hilary came home with about 30 interviews to show for it! Listen in for crucial conversations with companies and attendees about gender and diversity in the music gear industry. Who's doing a good job? How can we do better? Why are my feet so tired? Oh yeah, and there's new gear, too! TIME STAMPS / 00:00 / Hilary's NAMM breakdown- gear and gender / 18:20 / Interviews: Com...

Hilary talks to Ava Mendoza about sedans, music store paranoia, and the nuances of being “you go girl”-ed. AVA’S BIO AVA MENDOZA is a Brooklyn-based guitarist, singer, songwriter and composer. Born in 1983, she started performing her own music, and as a sidewoman and collaborator in many different projects, as soon as she was legally allowed into clubs. As a guitarist, Mendoza has received acclaim...

Hilary talks to Rachel Blumberg about the *ahem* unique aesthetic of her first drum kit, transitioning from gear head denial to loving gear, band gender breakdowns, the woes and whoas of gear-carrying, and why buying gear should be like butter. RACHEL'S BIO Rachel Blumberg has been bringing her musical feel to bands and solo artists for a good part of the last two decades through her primary instr...

Welcome to Mid-Riff! In this intro episode, I'll tell you about the podcast and what to expect. There will be laughs, there will be tears... maybe there will be riffs? We’ll answer questions like: Why is it important to talk about gender, music, and music gear? Why am I running out of breath already? Who the heck am I and why am I here? Wow, that got existential fast!  Keep your eyes peeled for up...