• Artist Spotlight

    An Interview with a True Rock n’ Roll Believer, Tommie Vaughn

    Tommie Vaughn’s books came to my attention thanks to a press release from Fly PR. I am an avid reader and especially during COVID-19, I’ve been using them as a nightly escape. As musician (front woman of Wall of Tom) and author, Tommie Vaughn said, “I think now, more than ever- with the loss of our concerts and live music scene, the books are indeed, the perfect way to bring back the music and stage shows, safely!” The author of the Frankie Spencer trilogy certainly lives the rock n’ roll dream and was kind enough to answer questions about her life as a musician and about the rock n’ roll…

  • Artist Spotlight

    A Q&A with Black Flag’s Former Bassist, Kira Roessler

    Black Flag is notorious for their hardcore aggression and masculinity. Yet, at one point in time, they had a female bassist, Kira Roessler. Kira, who still lives in California is now in the film business. She took the time to chat with me and answer questions about her music career and what she’s up to now.  Izzi Krombholz: What kind of bands were you into growing up? Kira Roessler: Growing up in my household my dad was a classical only guy. We had a piano and I wanted to take piano lessons. So starting at 6 and my brother was 9, he and I took piano lessons. I fell behind…

  • Artist Spotlight

    A Cemetery Tour with Goth Royalty; An Interview with Patricia Morrison and David Vanian

    I’ve chatted with the lovely and haunting Patricia Morrison via the interweb for a few years now for interviews and such. When my family planned a spring trip to London I thought, this could finally be the time I get to meet her in person! Patricia, being the gracious person she is, offered to set us up with a tour of Highgate Cemetery so I could see more of London while there. That’s truly just how cool she is.  I had been out in the Cotswolds with my family and friends for the weekend and was taking the train back to London when I got a message from Patricia telling…

  • Artist Spotlight

    Keeping Carter Family Music Alive, An Interview with Carlene Carter

    The Carter Family name is one well known and well respected in the music world. Carlene, daughter of June Carter Cash and Carl Smith, was kind enough to chat with me about growing up in the Carter family music world and how it shaped her as a musician.  When you’re growing up, what your parents do for a living shapes you. For Carlene, music was constantly a part of her life. Carlene says, “It was fun, it was different from my friends, it was a way of life. It wasn’t until I started school that I realized not everyone’s parents did that. Grandma (Maybelle), Mom, Helen and Anita would rehearse…

  • Artist Spotlight

    An Interview with Riot Grrrl Artist, Jolie Ruin

    By Bela Madrid Bela Madrid: How were you first drawn to the punk scene? Jolie Ruin: I grew up in the 80s, there was a lot of punk bands that I was exposed to on MTV back then. I liked all kinds of music and I wasn’t really drawn to punk until I was probably about 12 years old. My older brother used to skateboard with cool punk boys that listened to the Misfits, Black Flag, the Descendents and he used to make mix tapes for me. So that’s pretty much how I got into punk rock! B: What ultimately drew you to riot grrrl? JR: The message– It empowered…

  • Artist Spotlight

    The Bluesey Jubilance of Maya Banatwala and Heavy Hinges

    On New Years’ Eve–with the most glacial January in recent memory just around the corner–I was warmed all the way through at the Northside Tavern by Maya Banatwala, her bluesey singing voice and stunning stage presence, and the sheer rockin’ talent of her band, Heavy Hinges. Maya fronts the blues- and gospel-inspired rock band on vocals and ukulele; the other band members include Dylan Speeg on guitar and vocals, Andrew Laudeman on bass guitar, Kirk Hunter on lead guitar, and Brian Williamson on drums and percussion. I caught up with them all two weeks later, on the coldest and darkest day of the winter. Theresa: is it too cold for…

  • Artist Spotlight

    The Wisdom and Power of White Mystery; An Interview with Miss Alex White

    I first met Miss Alex White of White Mystery back in 2012 when the band was on tour with the legendary Shonen Knife. I was blown away with White Mystery’s energy and immediately became a fan. At the time, the band was touring almost 365 days a year. “We would look at a year being a collection of 365 days and our goal was to fill every one of those days with shows,” Alex explained. From the start, Alex and brother, Francis, have looked at White Mystery from the business angle with every detail thoughtfully planned. They’ve never had management or a label and are true examples of DIY. “Back…

  • Artist Spotlight

    TAT’s Frontwoman, Tatiana DeMaria, on Her New Solo Career

    Tatiana DeMaria started British punk band, TAT at age 15. After years of success, DeMaria is releasing her debut solo album. The sound is a big change from the guitar heavy riffs of TAT but this sound shows how she’s matured as a musician. She was kind enough to answer questions about her solo album and the musical changes she’s made. Izzi Krombholz: You started playing music at a very young age, what was starting TAT like? Tatiana DeMaria: I was on a bit of a mission. As a kid, I had tried to put bands together and found what you still find as an adult really. Some people want…

  • Artist Spotlight

    The Road to Rock n’ Roll: An Interview with Linda Gail Lewis

    “I’m the sister of a hell-raiser, the daughter of an old tomcat, I was playin’ the piano in a honky-tonk, long before you bragged about that.” The above lyrics are from the song “Round Too Long” off of Linda Gail Lewis and Robbie Fulks’ first collaborative album, Wild! Wild! Wild! released in August on Bloodshot Records. It’s as if that first line can almost be a quick biography of country/rock n’ roll musician, Linda Gail Lewis. Born in Louisiana, there’s almost no way Linda could escape a musical life. Her older brother, Jerry Lee Lewis, was attached to the piano so there was constant music in their house. “I could…

  • Artist Spotlight

    Laura Dolan is Driven

    by Theresa Kulbaga Laura Dolan is Driven Laura Dolan and I are driving through Helltown in her vintage silver Corvette. Windows down, wind in our hair, a perfect warm September Sunday. Laura’s black vinyl jumpsuit, fingerless gloves, and blonde hair—cropped in front, long and loose in back—rival the car’s red leather interior for sheer badassery. She shifts the stick as she talks to me, puts pedal to the metal. “I’ve always loved music that makes me want to drive fast,” she tells me, shouting a bit above the noise of the wind and the engine. “I know I have a successful song when it makes me press the gas.” Laura,…