Episodes

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

    072 / Thalia Zedek (E, Come, Live Skull) on Hagstrom Love and Sexism Then and Now
    Oct 11 2023
    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 E website E Bandcamp E Facebook tK Bandcamp tK Facebook MID-RIFF LINKS Website Instagram Facebook Newsletter Blog  Handsy 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
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    49 mins
  • 071 / Lizzo and the Monsters

    071 / Lizzo and the Monsters
    Aug 17 2023
    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 Website Instagram Facebook Newsletter Blog  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
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    14 mins
  • 070 / Guitar Gabby (TxLips) on Musical Longevity and Access

    070 / Guitar Gabby (TxLips) on Musical Longevity and Access
    Aug 3 2023
    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 Gabby on Linktree MID-RIFF LINKS Website Instagram Facebook Newsletter Blog  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
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    41 mins
  • 069 / Can You Play Eminem at Work?

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

    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

    Website

    Instagram

    Threads

    Facebook

    Newsletter

    Blog

    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
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    15 mins
  • 068 / Angie Swan (American Utopia, Cee Lo Green, will.i.am) on Flipping a Musical Coin

    068 / Angie Swan (American Utopia, Cee Lo Green, will.i.am) on Flipping a Musical Coin
    Jun 21 2023
    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 Instagram MID-RIFF LINKS Website Instagram Facebook Newsletter Blog  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
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    1 hr
  • 067 / Getting Active

    067 / Getting Active
    Jun 7 2023
    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 
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    18 mins
  • 066 / Why Are There So Few Moms in Music and Gear?

    066 / Why Are There So Few Moms in Music and Gear?
    May 24 2023
    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 
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    23 mins
  • 065 / NAMM 2023 + Diversity in MI Industry

    065 / NAMM 2023 + Diversity in MI Industry
    May 4 2023

    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
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    1 hr and 31 mins