LETTERS FROM THE PIT: Recent Episodes
Ragan Oliver
I stumbled upon the beautiful soul that is Meaghan D'Amico through a facebook group devoted to the band Every Time I Die and my life was forever altered. This wonderful human is not only one of the most genuine and supportive individuals that I've ever had the pleasure of meeting, but has a sick taste in music and an incredible insight to the human condition and how that is exhibited through music and art. We bonded over probably hundreds of bands, but as it turns out, a love for one of the most influential bands to my individual musical journey is also shared by Meaghan. We sat down and reviewed each album in the Paramore discography as well as Hayley Williams's solo project PETALS FOR ARMOR and talked about which songs impacted us the most and how this band not only redefined pop-punk as we know it, but gave little scene queens like us someone to look up to at a time when we needed more female icons.
Check out this episode's page HERE.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Lipstick Stains reigns from the dirtiest of dive bars and rattles the dingiest of music clubs in Memphis, Tn. Their Bandcamp describes them as "a conglomerate of genres, producing a sound that amplifies a good time," and I don't think that it could be put any other way. The first time I saw Lipstick Stains was in a dark room reminiscent of someone's mom's unfinished basement with graffiti on the wall, a broken down couch in the corner, and a bathroom with what appeared to be a swinging restaurant kitchen door on it-- and it was the time of my life. Between the band's general punk vibe, Xanthe's impressive vocal range, and the music's overall "fuck the bullshit" lyrics, the band stole my heart and embodied what punk rock music had come to be in my books. I was extremely fortunate to sit down in this episode with three of the members of Lipstick Stains and talk about where they came from as a band and individuals and where they draw their influences!
Check out their page info HERE!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Justice Hedenberg is a stunt man, punk kid, and sober, straightedge human being. He hails from the great mountain lands of Vermont where he discovered his joy for being Spiderman. In this episode I got to sit and chat with Justice about the joys of music, how open and welcoming the scene can be, and how it feels when it all just clicks and when you can just be openly and apologetically your.
Check out his page HERE.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Katy Hamm is an artist, photographer, merch manager, tour manager, audio engineer, non-profit manager, and so much more. This human being took my heart and my hope by storm with their positivity and genuine honesty when I met them while they were on The Great Depression tour and my life has forever been brightened. Through art and inclusion, Katy has been making the world and the music scene a better place with ART OF SURVIVAL as well their countless other endeavors. I was lucky enough to sit and chat with Katy about their experiences growing up in the midwest, overcoming trauma, and rising above with art, passion, and belonging.
Check out their info page HERE!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Dan Cahill started his solo project DC Wolves as a means for releasing more music that didn't fit in with other projects, and as a challenge to himself. He writes, plays, and records nearly everything released under the DC WOLVES name himself... plus he's a very fun guy. I had the wonderful experience of sitting down to talk with Dan about what's in the works for DC WOLVES as well as the music happening around us and the music that helped build us.
Check out his page information HERE!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Lipstick Stains reigns from the dirtiest of dive bars and rattles the dingiest of music clubs in Memphis, Tn. Their Bandcamp describes them as "a conglomerate of genres, producing a sound that amplifies a good time," and I don't think that it could be put any other way. The first time I saw Lipstick Stains was in a dark room reminiscent of someone's mom's unfinished basement with graffiti on the wall, a broken down couch in the corner, and a bathroom with what appeared to be a swinging restaurant kitchen door on it-- and it was the time of my life. Between the band's general punk vibe, Xanthe's impressive vocal range, and the music's overall "fuck the bullshit" lyrics, the band stole my heart and embodied what punk rock music had come to be in my books. I was extremely fortunate to sit down in this episode with three of the members of Lipstick Stains and talk about where they came from as a band and individuals and where they draw their influences!
Check out their page info HERE!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Courtney Church-Tucker and Katie Anderson are both reoccurring features in not only the LETTERS FROM THE PIT podcast, but also in my life. Katie and Courtney have been integral parts in shaping who I am as a person, as a music fan, and as a not shitty human. These two women have not only pulled me from the pits of mental health discord, but have also held me accountable for my bullshit on more than one occasion. I've been extremely fortunate to be able to sit with them and work our way through the MID 2000s POP ROCK SHOWDOWN bracket that has been circulating its way through Instagram over the last few months. We had fun sitting and talking about our favorites, least favorites, and the bands that we honestly forget existed. Using google's first listed top charting song from each band in some instances, and just our own personal opinions in others, we debated and argued our way through the entire bracket.
Check out the page info HERE!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Caitlin Sullivan is a lover of all things spooky, all things nerdy, and all things music. As a makeup artist, merch girl, tour manager, and photographer Caitlin has more than earned her place in the scene, but growing up as a woman in a dude dominated space taught her more about defending herself and not taking shit. In this episode Caitlin sits down to talk about her experiences of finding a home in her community as well as to discuss the bands that she loves and where she draws her influences and inspirations.
Check out her page info HERE!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Johnny Jensen is a strange dude. He is a history nerd, music fan, and all around wild ride of a human being. Johnny will be a recurring figure in the discussion of music genres, music history, and new releases. In this episode Johnny sat down to discuss album of the year choices from 2019 as well as the music that helped shape us.
Check out his page info HERE!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Lance Donati is the guitarist of the politically charged, co-ed hardcore band SHARPTOOTH. He is a vocal member of the vegan straightedge community, a nerdy music tech lover, great dane dog dad, and a pretty decent human being. Lance joined us to talk about mental health, inclusion, positive mental attitude, growing up in the music scene, and what's new with SHARPTOOTH.
Check out his page info HERE!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Chris Leonard is a music fan, nerd, collector, and friend. As a member of the online EVERY TIME I DIE fan page THE EDITIOTS, Chris has found a family and a place of belonging. Through live music he has discovered not only a place of belonging but a home to be himself openly and unapologetically.
Check out his page info HERE!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
An update on what's taken me so long to update as well as some things that I have found useful in dealing with the terrifying world around us.
LOVE OUR MESS is a recurring feature in the LETTERS FROM THE PIT podcast. LOVE OUR MESS will focus on mental health and the roles that music and art play in maintenance of our emotional well being.
In this installment we will dive into the positives and negatives of distractions and where those lines are drawn. In the insanity and instability of today's world, it's important to take time to breathe and decompress and we will discuss many positive ways that we can use art, music, and emotional wellness to take a break and unplug from the anxiety that is simply being a human.
Check out the page info HERE!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode I got to share some time with Jon Burrier of the Burrier School of Holistic Vibrations and talk about everything from what is inside of us, what is around us, and the ways that we interact with all of those things to make and shape our experiences as humans. Jon Burrier is an American audiovisual outdoor artivist, born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. His primary instruments are drums, percussion, xylophone and no-input mixer. He writes and performs compositions in many contexts, including solo, klezmer, grindcore, ambient, avant-garde, free jazz, and more. Burrier has performed with Les Rhinoceros (Tzadik) Lilu Dallas (Five Point Records) Me and This Army, Janka Nabay (Luaka Bop) and solo as JB5D (or self-titled by name) Tzadik is dedicated to releasing the best in avant garde and experimental music, presenting a worldwide community of contemporary musician-composers who find it difficult or impossible to release their music through more conventional channels. Luaka Bop is a world music-oriented record label established by musician and record producer David Byrne, former lead singer and guitarist for the art rock–new wave band Talking Heads. Burrier is a registered yoga teacher, bearing credentials in plant-based nutrition through Cornell. In addition, Burrier is certified as a detoxification specialist through Dr. Robert Morse's International School of Detoxification. These qualifications are the catalyst for Burrier's "School of Holistic Vibrations," a book, program, animal sanctuary, and retreat center (future plans) based on a holistically intersectional approach involving yoga, meditation, nutrition, and sound (healing) - fostering activism in others. Most importantly, Jon is a sick as human being with some incredible things to say!
Check out his page info HERE!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Episode 2
In this episode I got to set down and chat with a lovely human from Texas named Arjaye Holloway about finding acceptance and finding a home in the music scene. We shared experiences and challenges that we've faced over the years in this scene, but also talked about the good times, trying to justify mosh pit bruises at work, and the bands that currently have stolen our hearts.
Check out his page info HERE!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Episode 1
My story: who I am and why this scene is so fucking important to me, as well as an introduction to LETTERS FROM THE PIT.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app