Shows
Local Music Shapes CultureCommunity-Built Art Spaces with Nick WittenIt’s here, all. I finally edited it. The last episode of Local Music Shapes Culture. I’m sure Nick was scared his interview was the reason I stopped cold turkey haha.Nick is a visual artist and teacher based out of Indianapolis, Indiana. After attending art grad school near Detroit and moving back to Indianapolis, Nick and his partner Danielle opened a DIY art gallery right out of their own home. Every month, the home was completely barren aside from art on the walls and gallery food offerings. This art space they ran, Sugar Space, lasted abou...
2025-09-1243 min
Local Music Shapes CultureThe Art of DJing with JessIn a belated second to last episode of Local Music Shapes Culture, I sit down with my dear friend Jess to talk about her unique journey coming from a Brazilian family, growing up with Indy punk culture, and finding fulfillment in DJing. I kid you not that these last two episodes are my favorite and I have been putting off editing them. Jess offers a unique perspective on the Indy music scene as someone who grew up in a Brazilian family and stumbled into the punk scene while learning the ropes of DJing. She's been in the...
2025-08-2459 min
Local Music Shapes Culture⚠️Podcast Announcement⚠️ | Local Music Shapes CultureHello lovely local music fans! Local Music Shapes Culture is going on indefinite hiatus after the next two episodes ❤️ I will still be online but focusing on other projectsI am likely starting a different podcast soon, and I have not decided if I am going to start a new Substack publication for it or publish it on this one. If the latter happens, feel free to stick around. My Substack URL is my name, alisonchristoff.substack.com, so I am inclined to keep whatever’s next on the same Substack publication,but different RSS feed...
2025-05-2202 min
Local Music Shapes CultureCommunity, Catharsis, and Creative Expression with Max Denari of DRLNWelcome to Local Music Shapes Culture! A podcast based in Indianapolis exploring the local music scene and the culture surrounding it. This week, I invited my friend Max Denari onto the show to discuss his long-standing presence in the local scene. In this episode, Max shares how being involved in music has provided both community and catharsis. Our convo gets into the challenge of staying authentic in an era where social media and algorithmic playlists have transformed how we discover and consume music.Max offers candid thoughts on everything from the authenticity of digital music...
2025-05-1353 min
Local Music Shapes CultureCollage and Conversation With jilly$100billy | Local Music Shapes CultureHi y'all💞💞💞This week on Local Music Shapes Culture, I have Jill "jilly$100billy" over to collage with me and talk about her music.Jill just released her first EP Carpet on April 26th – a five-song journey she compares to the five stages of grief through hybrid genres. We dive into Jill's inspiration behind the EP, discuss how her life experiences have shaped her as both a person and artist, and explore her desire to continue pursuing music-making and performing as a cathartic release.Throughout our conversation, we create collages, chat about everything from astrol...
2025-05-0733 min
Local Music Shapes CultureA Decade in Indy's Music Scene: Conversation with Tara Sue Stapleton | Local Music Shapes CultureHello! This week on Local Music Shapes Culture, I sit down with Tara Sue Stapleton. Tara has been heavily engaged in the music scene of Indianapolis for over a decade, about as long as her band Sonora has been around. She discussed her additional music projects throughout the years, including a grindcore project she is starting that has its first show booked this spring. Tara and I discuss her experience playing tours with her band Sonora, and her journey performing at out-of-town shows. We dive into her personal process for booking tours and explore her recent decision...
2025-04-2837 min
Local Music Shapes CultureThe Art of Documentation: Maude Atlas on Photography, Art & Music Community | Local Music Shapes CultureThis week on Local Music Shapes Culture I chat with Maude Atlas - a multi-medium artist who's been a fixture in our local scene through her painting, photography, and as the vocalist of the band Frizbee.Though Frizbee recently ended, Maude shares exciting news about their upcoming record "Sour Kisses" releasing May 9th through Noise Merchant and Painters Tapes. We dig into her journey from documenting shows as a photographer to taking the stage herself, the importance of all-women bands, and why she believes "a scene is only as good as the people who document it."
2025-04-2138 min
Local Music Shapes CultureThe Vulnerability Behind Great Music | Local Music Shapes CultureThis week on Local Music Shapes Culture I have a conversation with Ron Record, who recently moved from the Fort Wayne music scene to Indianapolis. Ron is involved in several musical projects:* Roman New Time - Solo Project* Lunch Club - Indianapolis band with friends Jacob, Chuck, Brad, and Gus* Home Phone - A duo project with his friend Olivia in Fort WayneIn this podcast, Ron shares his insights from his various musical projects and discusses his unique experiences touring with his bands. We also discuss his experiences moving to...
2025-04-1456 min
Local Music Shapes CultureFronting Femme and Queer Bands | Local Music Shapes CultureOne of my favorite guests I’ve had so far on this podcast :) Z honestly gets my whole DIY band experience from joining the scene, starting bands, and performing more than anyone I have gotten to talk to on this pod. We dive into the experience of struggling to find girl bandmates, the anxiety of performing, the mental block of idolizing performers before you are a performer yourself, and the struggle of booking your band when you have a weird band that does not fit into any clear-cut genre. Listen to this podcast to get real with me and Z...
2025-04-0741 min
Local Music Shapes CultureWE NEED MORE HOUSE SHOWS with John Ramos | Local Music Shapes CultureThis week I catch up with my good friend and avid show-goer John Ramos, who grew up going to shows around Chicago for many years and moved to Indianapolis just before Covid hit our lives. John is one of the biggest music scene supporters I know and I am honored to have him take a seat in my DIY podcast set-up to discuss his experience within his decade-long commitment to local music. John and I go through the differences between his experiences in the Chicago music scene and the Indianapolis music scene, how Covid changed music scenes...
2025-03-3126 min
Local Music Shapes Culturelessons learned from my first time touring for a few days /Local Music Shapes CultureHello!! I went on a multi day run with my band for the first time and had a blast. In this week’s podcast I discuss the things I have learned on the road, from bonding with my bandmates to the business side of being in a band. I go through some logistics of being on tour and booking out of town shows, and reflect on what the experience means to me. I want to do this more y’all. I did not think I would be a tour girlie and I am. I love the chaos and...
2025-03-2420 min
Local Music Shapes CultureBreaking Through Creative Block with Alison & Mia | Local Music Shapes CultureThis week I sit down with The Only Person In Both Of My Bands, Mia Rivas. Mia is awesome and wanted to sit down with me this week to discuss a struggle we all come across: creative block. We get into our personal experiences with feeling stuck creatively, from the pressure of perfectionism to challenges of finalizing and recording songs. Along the way we explore how collaboration within our bands can help generate new ideas and break through moments when inspiration runs dry. The conversation filters through discussions of education and intelligence, and we reflect on how these perspectives...
2025-03-1041 min
Local Music Shapes CultureI'm Not A Real Punk | Local Music Shapes CultureThis week I dig into an accusation that is often thrown at the punk scene: y’all are gatekeepy. While I cannot dig into the psyche of others’, I know that I and many of my friends do not want well-meaning people who would benefit the culture to be deterred from the scene. Despite this, I have heard many of my non-scene friends tell me they do not feel comfortable attending shows because of a pattern of people who act like they are too cool for them. In this podcast, I explore my own feelings of n...
2025-03-0313 min
Local Music Shapes CultureGlobal Rock Underground: Scene Resources for Underground MusicHello Hello rockers. This week on Local Music Shapes Culture I sit down with Tony of Global Rock Underground to explore his journey growing an online underground music community. We dive into his story from picking up some bongos the age of 3, to how the pandemic sparked his online community efforts, to his newest endeavor of music licensing for underground artists.What resources would you find helpful to connect to different scenes and bands across the globe? Let us know in the comments!Learn about Global Rock Underground and their mission to foster DIY music...
2025-02-2428 min
Local Music Shapes CultureLate Night Thoughts: Local Music Changed My Life | Local Music Shapes CultureHello babes. This week on Local Music Shapes Culture I give you my own personal story - all about my journey into punk and DIY music. From my high school Lana Del Rey era to my disco obsession to my current place in my local punk scene, I share my story to finding the local music scene where I feel understood and belong.I once thought I was not good enough to be in a band (!). But goes to show, attitude is such a determining factor and perseverance is key. Here I dig into the steps of...
2025-02-1835 min
Local Music Shapes CultureGirls Decide: Music Scene Court in Session | Local Music Shapes CultureLocal icons Hannah Summers and Daisy whats-her-name join me this week on Local Music Shapes Culture, diving into a curated list of band-related AITA Reddit posts after after we spent 3 hours setting up with a few glasses of wine. (Daisy had more than a few glasses of wine) The girls, who live for their local punk and DIY scene, break down and share their takes on band-related drama pulled straight from the famous Reddit forum. Between verdicts of "a*****e" and "not the a*****e," the conversation weaves in personal stories about Muncie's music scene, adventures at...
2025-02-1035 min
Local Music Shapes CultureDIY Shows: How to Find & Navigate Your Local Scene | Local Music Shapes CultureYou may have heard about DIY shows, but what actually are they? In this episode, I break down everything about your local DIY music scene - from finding your first show to understanding 'punk time'.This guide walks you through the whole DIY show experience, from your first time checking out a local band to getting involved as a musician yourself. I cover how to find shows through Instagram, local coffee shops, record stores, and art galleries, and what to expect when you get to the shows. Most DIY shows feature 3-4 bands playing 15-20 minute sets...
2025-02-0320 min
Local Music Shapes CultureQuality Over Hype: Keeping DIY Music Real (feat. ELLE 2.0) | Local Music Shapes CultureThis week on Local Music Shapes Culture, I sit down with JS from Elle 2.0 Collective—a micro-label founder, show documenter, and organizer of Winterfest in Indianapolis. JS opens up about finding their place in the local punk scene and the journey from outsider to community builder.Starting with early experiences in the Indianapolis hardcore scene, JS shares how he went from feeling disconnected at shows to creating Elle 2.0, a micro-label born from the desire to simply put music out that deserves to be heard. The conversation explores how documenting local shows through video became both a creative ou...
2025-01-2744 min
Local Music Shapes CultureStop Forcing the Jazz Thing: A Drummer's Liberation | Local Music Shapes CultureWhen do you stop letting your degree define your music? On this episode of Local Music Shapes Culture, drummer Giauna shares how breaking free from her jazz expectations led to an unexpectedly diverse musical life.After completing her Jazz Studies degree at the University of Iowa in 2021, Giauna faced a familiar creative crisis - the pressure to stick to what she'd trained in. But everything changed when she decided to stop forcing herself to be "just a jazz drummer." That choice initially led her to explore hardcore punk with Live Suffer Die and traditional Jewish klezmer music...
2025-01-2138 min
Local Music Shapes CultureBreaking Barriers Through Open Doors: Growing DIY Music Communities | Local Music Shapes CultureBeyond packed shows and killer lineups, what makes a music scene flourish? Explore how Indianapolis's DIY community is redefining success through genuine inclusion, emerging voices, and a fresh perspective on what underground music culture can achieve.From empowering new voices to addressing scene power dynamics, this episode dives into the practical and cultural elements that make scenes grow:* Breaking down barriers for women and queer musicians in DIY spaces* Cultivating supportive environments for young and emerging artists* Moving beyond ego to build genuine community connections* Addressing venue shortages through...
2025-01-1435 min
Local Music Shapes CultureHow One DIY Promoter Transformed Their Local Music Scene | Local Music Shapes CultureWhat makes a music scene thrive? Join us for an in-depth conversation with Brady Turner of 317 Shows, where he breaks down how strategic booking and community-first thinking are amplifying Indianapolis's DIY music culture.From booking 80+ shows in 2024 to cultivating one of the Midwest's most dynamic all-ages communities, Brady outlines the strategic thinking behind:* Building sustainable show infrastructure from scratch* Fostering an inclusive, all-ages environment that keeps scenes alive* Balancing the needs of venues, bands, and audiences* Breaking genre barriers while maintaining scene authenticity* Supporting emerging artists and...
2025-01-0632 min
Local Music Shapes CultureFrom Metalcore Bands to Hardcore Punk and Rap Beats: Devin Kerr | Local Music Shapes CultureThis week on Local Music Shapes Culture I sit down with Devin Kerr—drummer for the Indianapolis hardcore band Slur and creator of the hip-hop project Draggin’ Knuckles. Devin talks about his experiences finding his place in music, experimenting with different styles, and connecting with others through shared creativity.Starting with his roots drumming as a kid and forming his first bands in middle and high school, including a Christian metalcore group, he then talks about transitioning to playing in hardcore punk bands. He shares how growing up with a dad with weirdo music taste and navigating dive...
2024-12-3057 min
Local Music Shapes CultureBeing in a Band Sucks + That's Why I'm in Two | Local Music Shapes CultureWatch all episodes of Local Music Shapes Culture here: alisonchristoff.substack.comThere’s a lot of work that comes with Being In A Band. It ain’t all goofing off at practice and experiencing the thrill of playing shows. In this week’s episode of Local Music Shapes Culture, I explore the difficult aspects that come with being in a band.TOPICS DISCUSSED:[0:01:28 - 0:03:34] Challenges of finding the right band members and aligning on vision/vibe [0:03:34 - 0:05:23] Significant time and logistical demands of managing a band [0:06:48 - 0:08:31] Performance anxiet...
2024-12-2325 min
Local Music Shapes CultureWhat is DIY? | Local Music Shapes Culture PodcastWatch the first episode of Local Music Shapes Culture here:alisonchristoff.substack.comWelcome to the first episode of my new podcast, Local Music Shapes Culture, where I talk about what DIY music is—its culture, its spaces, and why it’s such a special and unique part of local music.What’s DIY?DIY music isn’t about big budgets, polished performances, or waiting for someone to give you a platform. It’s about people—bands, organizers, and showgoers—creating spaces for art and connection on their own terms. From house shows to basement gigs to skate...
2024-12-1717 min
Brooklyn, USA28 | Next To The Playground and Up By The Hill | -19,'20This week we're learning how to get along. • Brooklyn, USA is produced by Sachar Mathias, Emily Boghossian, Shirin Barghi, Charlie Hoxie, Khyriel Palmer, Ross Tuttle, and Mayumi Sato • “And The Leaves Are Good In Salad” was produced by Charlie Hoxie • “This Prisoner In My Room” was produced by Khyriel Palmer • “A Lifetime of Stuff” was produced by Sachar Mathias • “Back In The War” was produced by Shirin Barghi • “No One Is Counting” was produced by Taylor Cook, Shirin Barghi, and Emily Boghossian • “The Right To Not Get Sick” was produced by Stefan Christoff for Free City Radio • “The Divine Spiritual Wisdom of The Universe” was produced by C...
2020-05-101h 27