The Sisters launch this episode discussing the importance of “community over competition” and how supporting fellow creatives is essential for growth. Later, they bring in Emilie Plamondon (podcast host of Punk Roquette) to get her insights on the subject. Her positive contagious energy and passion to support musicians of all calibers is why the Sound Sisters dubbed her as a “social worker for punk rock”. They chat about how she built a strong following with her platform and the way music is helping her cope with quarantine in Canada. There is also talks of cheese curds, soup, rePunkmmendation, as well as the size of her impressive t-shirt and record collection. All this and more on this episode of the Sound Sisters podcast!
Podcast
Sound Sisters Podcast Episode 36 – Judy Cocuzza of Betty Blowtorch
The Sisters Roundtable Discussion gets deep on an emotional level as they dive into some best practices when attempting to reconnect with ex-band members. This episode’s guest, Judy Cocuzza, drummer from Betty Blowtorch, has many insights into the topic and has provided stellar advice to other musicians over the years, including our very own host Drea. During their chat they uncover an array of topics such as Judy’s involvement with teaching drums to children with and without disabilities as well as how she found the silver lining with COVID’s halt to a constant tour schedule. Later, she reminisces on the early Betty Blowtorch days, gives an update on new music, what it was like on the Bubble Boy movie set, the real status of Vanilla Ice’s package, and her unexpected ghostly occurrences she feels was Bianca Butthole sending love from the other side. Tears, laughs, and so many virtual hugs are shared on this episode of the Sound Sisters Podcast.
Sound Sisters 35 – Mike Cubillos of Earshot Media
The Sisters dive into this episode by reminiscing their years of experience in self-promoted DIY public relations and networking ventures. Later, they receive some killer advice and takeaways from Mike Cubillos, owner and operator of Earshot Media. With over 22 years of successful PR experience in the music industry, he opens up about his contributions and journey into the biz. Throughout the discussion, he is very transparent of what it takes to be successful from a music PR perspective. This is one of the reasons why many musicians (of all calibers) trust his services. Supporting big acts and festivals such as Warped Tour, It’s Not Dead, and Punk Rock Bowling, he still stays true to his underground roots. Although Earshot Media represents many different music genres, Drea and Gaby reveal firsthand how essential he is to the punk rock community due to his assistance with The Venomous Pinks. Music from 3LH & Rundown Kreeps appear courtesy of Wire Tap Records!
Sound Sisters 34 – Mike Fisher
The Sisters dive into this episode chatting about choosing the right graphic for a merchandise item, and the benefits of hiring a professional designer to assist with developing a brand. They bring in Mike Fisher, infamous merch designer, illustrator, artist, Maximum Fluoride owner, and “Anyway Whatever” podcast host, to get his expert advice on the topic. He also discusses his journey from creating DIY merch in the 80s to pay his way into underground punk shows, to now being an on demand renowned artist who designs for some of the biggest musicians today. His impressive merch design resume includes, Rancid, Metallica, The Clash, Led Zeppelin, Paul McCartney, The Misfits, and more! With over a decade worth of experience, chances are you have a Mike Fisher design on a shirt in your closet. He opens up about his creative process and how he stays constantly motivated to do what he loves most. This is an awe-spiring episode that gave Drea, Angela, and Gaby all the feels, so you don’t want to miss it! Music from Reason Unknown and Gatecreeper!
Sound Sisters 33 – Andy Pohl of Tsunami Bomb & Sell The Heart Records
The Sisters kick things off with a roundtable discussion focusing on ways to cope with mental illness through creative outlets. Andy Pohl (guitarist from Tsunami Bomb, label owner of “Sell The Heart Records”, and “Question the Answers” podcast host) joins the conversation to provide his insights. Andy chats about how he found the much needed work/life balance in his home remote environment and ways others can unplug. Later, he opens up on what it was like stepping in as a new guitarist for an already established band. There’s talks of how he meditates on tour, best DIY practices for starting a record label, and discovering a creeptastic ghostly gas pump in the middle of nowhere. All this while Drea has major fangirl feels due to Tsunami Bomb being such an influential band in her earlier years as a musician. Plus, music from Decent Criminal & RLND
Sound Sisters 32 – Riot Squad Media
The Sisters kick things off with a roundtable discussion focusing on the do’s and don’ts of rebranding. This episode’s guests have a lot of experience in this arena, Terry Smith and Laura Rose from Riot Squad Media join the conversation to chat about their insights on the topic. As previous hosts of Punksylvania, they authentically and transparently dig into how they crossed over into their new platform. They also talk about how their DIY female empowered collective / media firm provides a lot of PR, promotion, and support to punk musicians globally through their podcast as well as other Riot Squad branded outlets. Their fresh and polished new format is not only celebrated, but needed in a time where so many currently feel musically disconnected. There are talks of Camp Punksylvania, ghosts, females lifting each other up, how to collaborate in a long distance working relationship, Canada’s take on Trump, plus what type of sandwiches, and poutine they would be. To say many laughs and virtual hugs were had is an understatement. All this and more, on this riot-of-an-episode of the Sound Sisters podcast.
Sound Sisters 31 – Kim Austin of Yucca North in Flagstaff, AZ
“Dale Nixon Assaulted Me on Tour” by Kim Austin
Sound Sisters 30 – Cherry Dollface
The Sisters kick things off with some best practices on how to launch your own startup. This episode’s guest provided many insights on this topic. Her impressive credits include successful business owner, YouTube star, podcast host, traveling model, award winning author, licensed esthetician, and more importantly, an authentic advocate for female empowerment. *insert rockabilly music here* Of course we are referring to none other than Cherokee Jackson, lovingly also known as THE Cherry Dollface. She chats about her roller coaster self made ride from being one of the first pinup YouTuber tutorial queens on the scene to a successful brand with limitless possibilities. She emphasizes the importance of remaining adaptable to self growth while staying true to your dreams. There is talks of skincare, music, aliens, Angela’s major Cherry fangirl moment at the first It’s Not Dead fest, and how the term, “being born in the wrong era” is a severely misguided notion. All this and more on this episode of the Sound Sister’s Podcast.
Sound Sisters 29 – Stephen ‘Psyko Steve’ Chilton
The Sound Sisters are all about supporting music venues, and in honor of this episode’s special guest they kick things off discussing their most memorable moments at Phoenix’s infamous staple The Mason Jar, now known as The Rebel Lounge. Later, they brought in Arizona veteran concert promoter Stephen Chilton (owner of Psyko Steve Presents and The Rebel Lounge) to discuss his political efforts with NIVA: National Independent Venue Association. As a founder and one of the Vice Presidents, Steve fights alongside the rest of the board to help save independent music venues through political activism. NIVA’s focus is securing financial support to preserve the national ecosystem of independent venues and promoters. He also chats with the Sisters about various promoter war stories, including how a well-known national band’s dumbassery almost caused a full on riot. Find out the name of that band and how you can help #saveourstages on this episode of the Sound Sister’s podcast!
Sound Sisters 28 – CHASER (Sound Speed Records)
The Sisters kickstart the episode chatting about a ways they are adapting creatively in our current societal state. They share all the giggles because it was their first in-studio-socially-distancing-recording -session at the Sound Sister Studio since the COVID outbreak. Disclaimer: The Sound Sisters supports safe social distancing practices. They each followed major precautions before, after, and during recording. Don’t forget kids, “Wash your damn hands and wear a fucking mask!” Later, they virtually dial in SoCal skate punk band Chaser. They discuss what it takes to stay consistently musically motivated through connecting with their fans. Other topics covered: How recording went down for Chaser’s killer new album, “Look Alive” on Sound Speed Records, what is so inspiring about 90s punk, tour do’s and don’ts, ways they continue to write new music during the pandemic, what it’s like to share the stage with bands that inspired them to play, and most importantly Carol Fucking Baskin. All this, plus they spin new Chaser tracks, on this episode of the Sound Sisters Podcast.