Episode 072

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 (E, Come, Live Skull).

Episode 071

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!).

Episode 070

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.

Episode 069

A recent court case found that playing songs with offensive lyrics in a workplace can contribute to hostile environment sexual harassment. But what is hostile environment sexual harassment? How does it work and how can you prevent it? Hilary covers some harassment basics in this episode. Read more here!

Episode 068

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.

Episode 067

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. Citations here!

Episode 066

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. Citations here!

Episode 065

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!

Interviewee companies: EarthQuaker Devices, Summer School Electronics, Hiwatt Amplifiers, Dunable Guitars, Poly Effects, Get Offset, Pedal Playhouse, 60 Cycle Hum, Seymour Duncan, Oakland Guitars, Working Class Music

Episode 064

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.

Episode 063

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 values and a whole bunch more!

Episode 062

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 amp builder and repair person, Colleen Fazio.

Episode 061

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. Citations here!

Episode 060

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.

Episode 059

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 058

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 (Sunset Mission). Plus, music, rights, representation, and AI.

Episode 057

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.

Episode 056

Hilary interviews 15 awesome industry folks about NAMM 2022 and their thoughts about the Gender and Music Gear Experiences Report! Featuring: Caroline Guitar Company, Chase Bliss Audio, EarthQuaker Devices, Empress Effects, Ernie Ball Music Man, Eventide Audio, Get Offset, Heather Brown Electronicals, LEH Guitars, Loe Sounds, Neunaber Audio, Red Panda, Third Man Hardware, Working Class Music

Episode 055

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 (Women’s International Music Network, She Rocks Awards, Positive Grid). Plus, music’s role in preventing mass shootings.

Episode 054

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.

Episode 053

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.

Episode 052

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.

Episode 051

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. 

Episode 050

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 (Culture Rock Griot). Plus, reassessing what we value in hiring.

Episode 049

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.

Episode 048

Creating strong social ties and inclusive virtual classes and spaces in audio and helping venues to diversify their booking are part of the conversation with Lisa Machac, founder and director of Omni Sound Project. Plus, niceness and discomfort.

Episode 047

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.

Episode 046

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.

Episode 045

Why are some jokes funny to some people and offensive to others? Hilary breaks down the function of jokes and implications for music gear spaces and workplaces and walking on eggshells vs. Venn diagrams.

Episode 044

Co-writing a song with Elliot Smith, Nirvana crashing at your house, documenting the early hardcore scene (without getting killed), and running a safer venue during Covid are all on the table as Hilary talks with photographer and venue owner, JJ Gonson.

Episode 043

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.”

Episode 042

Hilary calls for help from the bottom of her basement by asking you to complete the Mid-Riff Listener Survey! You can answer these questions and more AND get entered to win a $100 Visa gift card. Simply complete the survey and email Hilary with the headline “raffle” and you’re IN! Thanks so much to you, Mid-Riff listener, for your continued support and input!

Episode 041

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?

Episode 040

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.

Episode 039

In a replay interview, 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.

Episode 038

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.

Episode 037

Hilary talks with Marci.DH about escaping the proving ground, creating tension with sonics, stereotype threat, and representation. Plus, parenting as the ultimate prevention.

Episode 036

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.

Episode 035

Hilary talks with Tia Bailey (Working Class Music) on signature models and identity, giving up on bands, being a unicorn, Ladders 101, and the difference between retail and YouTube. Plus, moving beyond black squares.

Episode 034

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.

Episode 033

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.

Episode 032

In a re-play interview, 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. 

New content: Hilary covers the problem with “nagging wife” guitar memes!

Episode 031

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.

Episode 030

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.

Episode 013

Hilary talks to Mindy Abovitz Monk, founder and editor of 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

Episode 011

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.

Episode 009

Hilary talks with Militia Vox, (lead singer of Judas Priestess, solo artist, VJ, + more!) about going to NAMM with Dee Snider, trying out for the Ronettes, and how representation helps kids feel normal. Plus, ageism.

Episode 008

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 being a CEO, and tips for music gear diversity and inclusion at NAMM and beyond! Plus, sexual harassment training.

Episode 007

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.

Episode 006

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.

Episode 005

Hilary talks with punk pioneer, 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. Plus, community agreements in the time of COVID-19.

Episode 001

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.