Mid-Riff

User experience design in music gear, left-handed guitar options, and John Popper’s harmonica fishing vest are all part of multi-instrumentalist Krystal Flowers' conversation with Hilary. Plus creating community in music retail spaces. Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors! EarthQuaker Devices - extra special effects pedals made by hand in Akron, OH! Stompbox Sonic - personalized pedal curation a...

Living your company values, non-binary presentation and representation, threatening hi-hats, and Peavey Peavey Peavey are all covered by Matt McDonald and Carl Platts (Electrofoods and Booklegger) in their conversation with Hilary. Plus, 7 ways music retailers can support parents. Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors! EarthQuaker Devices - extra special effects pedals made by hand in Akron, OH!...

Why are some jokes funny to some people and offensive to others? Hilary got sick and used this solo episode as an excuse to research and break down the function of jokes and implications for music gear spaces and workplaces-- and why you should use Venn diagrams rather than walk on eggshells. Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors! EarthQuaker Devices - extra special effects pedals made by hand in...

Co-writing a song with Elliott Smith, Nirvana crashing at your house, documenting the early hardcore scene (without getting killed), and running a safer venue during a pandemic are all on the table as Hilary talks with photographer and venue owner, JJ Gonson. Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors! EarthQuaker Devices - extra special effects pedals made by hand in Akron, OH! Stompbox Sonic - perso...

Valuing femininity, Vampower amps, mandolin emergencies, and trans representation are part of Hilary’s conversation with Amy Mills (Retrofret Vintage Guitars, Couch Slut, Epistasis). Plus, the problem with “most guys.” 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 Somer...

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?  —Should there be a YouTube channel?  —Who do you want to see as a guest? —Do you even read these show notes? :) You can answer these questions and more AND get entered to...

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 an...

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 Soni...

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 ha...

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 di...

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 -...

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...

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 Pro...

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 distrib...

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 - re...

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.  [replay interview] New content: Hilary covers the problem with “nagging wife” guitar memes. Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors!  EarthQuaker Devices - extra sp...

Hilary talks with Karen Schierhorn (BIG EAR Pedals) about the tyranny of middle school band teachers, being physically blocked in conversation, the dynamics of working with your partner, and octave pedals for vocal cords. Plus, meritocracy. Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors!  EarthQuaker Devices - extra special effects pedals made by hand in Akron, OH! Studio 121 - recording, production, beat...

Hilary talks with Meredith Stern, drummer, DJ, and visual artist, about buying snares with the buddy system, gas mask microphones, using repetition to shift narratives, and what may be the wildest tour story you’ve ever heard. Plus, how to apologize. Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors!  EarthQuaker Devices - extra special effects pedals made by hand in Akron, OH! Studio 121 - recording, produc...

Hilary talks with Mallory Nees, Social Media Strategist at Reverb, about sea shanties, the similarities between theater and social media, and tips for companies to make an impact through social media and marketing. 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,...

Hilary talks with luthier, musician, and professor, Rachel Rosenkrantz , (Atelier Rosenkrantz) about sustainability and wood politics, DJing as a luthierial gateway, and va-va-vooming your guitars. Plus tips for making change for independent luthiers and small shops. Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors!  EarthQuaker Devices - extra special effects pedals made by hand in Akron, OH! Studio 121 -...

Hilary talks with Asha Tamirisa (multimedia artist and professor of music) about being an expert on your own experience, access through open source software, self-preservation, and coming full circle on piano. Plus, sexual harassment. 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...

Hilary talks with Barb Morrison about touring with the Ramones, music mentorship, mic recommendations, and why Debbie Harry doesn’t care. Plus, an application of the Music Gear Bechdel Test. 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! Stompbox Sonic - per...

Hilary talks with Emile Milgrim (Las Nubes / Sweat Records) about being in Iggy Pop’s band, musical chivalry, playing the trash can, and creating safer spaces in record stores. 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! Stompbox Sonic - personalized peda...

Hilary talks with Sara Landeau (The Julie Ruin) about pedalboards as art, the gendering of technology, breaking things to learn, and etudes for dive-bombing. Plus, gear and class privilege. 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! SARA’S BIO Sara Lande...

Hilary talks with the duo Cathy Begien and Summer Mastous (who make sounds and pedal demos as Datachoir Sounds) about shoegaze as a pedal gateway drug, creating music for Miranda July’s Kajillionaire, their hot pedal collab with Old Blood Noise Endeavors, and why social media is the new van. Plus, objectification and change through three stories. Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors!  EarthQuake...