Mid-Riff

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 curati...

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...

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 - personalize...

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 Device...

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! Ho...

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.mys...

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 Somervi...

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 m...

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 Gu...

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 va...

The perils and promises of repairing amplifiers and posting on YouTube, tips for getting into repair, and diagnosing your dying amp are all part of Hilary’s conversation with Colleen Fazio. 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 -...

Many marginalized musicians have a shared experience of dread anticipating negative treatment when entering a music store— as though they are preparing for battle. In this episode, Hilary talks about this experience of “anticipatory armor,” how it works, and how retailers can prevent it. Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors! EarthQuaker Devices - extra special effects pedals made by hand in Akro...

Emily the Strange guitars, being musically typecast, mental health, and the Art of the Revolution are part of Hilary’s discussion with Taylor Ngiri Seaberg.   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 guita...

Mid-Riff takes the show on the road to the Minneapolis / St. Paul area! Hilary talks gender and gear with SYM1, Nat Harvie, and Pamela Laizure in front of a live audience at Caydence Records and Coffee. The night featured live performances, a lutherie demo, gear rundowns, a panel discussion, and audience Q+A! Episode Breakdown: 0:00 | Episode introduction 2:50 | Welcome to event 5:10 | SYM1  15:47...

Taylor Swift karaoke machines, She Shred’s 1 Riff a Day, luthier apprenticeship, and the exact location of women in prog are part of Hilary’s discussion with Kim Chin-Gibbons. Plus, music, rights, representation, and AI. 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 Som...

Heavy retail armor, being treated as a musician, not a liability, and choosing not to work with gatekeepers are part of Hilary’s conversation with Jennifer Turpin and Adam Brilla from Stompbox Sonic. Plus, preventing tokenism in hiring. Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors! EarthQuaker Devices - extra special effects pedals made by hand in Akron, OH! Holcomb Guitars - custom guitars and mobile g...

Hilary interviews 15 awesome industry folks about NAMM 2022 and their thoughts about the Gender and Music Gear Experiences Report! What’s the Gender and Music Gear Experiences Report? ( LINK HERE !) I’m glad you asked! It is a document sharing the results from a survey of 996 musicians from around the world about their experiences related to gender and music gear. Listen to the episode to hear the...

Robot backing bands, managing retail baggage, talking class A amps at parties, making extra efforts for diversity, and dreaming of open mics are part of Hilary’s conversation with Laura B. Whitmore. Plus, music’s role in preventing mass shootings. Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors! EarthQuaker Devices - extra special effects pedals made by hand in Akron, OH! Stompbox Sonic - personalized peda...

Midi Musical Directing, creating a portable musical lifestyle in Berlin, guitar, grooveboxes, and stepping outside the queer bubble are part of Hilary’s conversation with Sky Deep. Plus, music gear’s connection to reproductive rights. 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...

Keyboard beatdowns, accessibility guitar inventions, shoegaze vs. avant pop, and a literally smoking recording are part of Hilary’s conversation with Rosie Varela (EEP, The Rosie Varela Project, Hogar Records, Brainville Studio). Plus, The Pedal Lady Problem. Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors! EarthQuaker Devices - extra special effects pedals made by hand in Akron, OH! Stompbox Sonic - perso...

Nebulous business cards, instrument gender stereotypes, “booth girls,” and podcasting are part of Hilary’s conversation with Natalie Morrison (D’Addario) and Stephanie Lamond (Recording Academy) of ReVoicing the Future: A Women of NAMM podcast. Plus, the Diversity in Music Gear Resource List. Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors! EarthQuaker Devices - extra special effects pedals made by hand in...

Inventing bass organ techniques, dressing like Steve Albini, mentorship, the impact of trauma therapy on music and beyond are all part of Hilary’s conversation with Donna Diane from the band Djunah. Plus, representation days vs. months vs. years.  *content warning for general discussion of trauma, suicidal ideation, and eating disorders Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors! EarthQuaker Devices -...

Telling untold stories, the wildest first amp ever, getting bossed around in the studio, and music as a family affair are part of Hilary’s conversation with Samantha “GhettoSongBird” Hollins. Plus, reassessing what we value in hiring. 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...

Preventative mansplaining, empathy-building, and the science of 5 string basses are all part of Hilary’s conversation with Ellis Hahn, founder and luthier at LEH Guitars. Plus, the “right” time for change. 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! Ho...

Creating strong social ties and inclusive virtual classes and spaces in audio and helping venues to diversify their booking are part of Hilary's conversation with Lisa Machac, founder and director of Omni Sound Project. Plus, niceness and discomfort. Huge thanks to this episode’s sponsors! EarthQuaker Devices - extra special effects pedals made by hand in Akron, OH! Stompbox Sonic - personalized p...