Episode 46: Allison Wolfe (Bratmobile, Sex Stains, Riot Grrrl)

TM pod 46 is a first for the podcast in three ways: it is the first episode recorded with a guest face to face, it’s the first one recorded outdoors and it’s the first time Jason has talked with singer, writer, podcaster, and OG Riot Grrrl Allison Wolfe. The two old friends cover her formative years in Olympia, where they met in the mid 90’s. They explore Allison’s multi-decade, ongoing run fronting more than half a dozen punk bands beginning with her ground zero Riot Grrrl band Bratmobile through to her pandemic era project Magic Witch Cook Box. There is a lot of focus on the Olympia music scene of the 80s and 90’s. The two ask how a compact little town in an out of the way corner of the country produced such a diverse, remarkable and influential group of bands. While simultaneously acting as the setting for the first sparks of one of the most impactful grassroots political movements of the era; Riot Grrrl. Special attention is paid to the DIY festival culture of Oly that began almost exactly 30 years ago with International Pop Underground and continued with subsequent Yo-Yo a Go-Go’s and Alison’s own brainchild LadyFest, an indie feminist gathering that would go on to inspire an international series of like minded festivals of the same name. The conversation starts with honest talk about the formidable challenges maintaining hope and motivation in a world gone mad and ends with a celebration of the possibilities that arise when small groups of motivated people get together to create culture in a community bonded by friendship and creative self expression. Thanks for listening and supporting the podcast! You can make a one-time donation: Venmo: Jason-Traeger-1 or monthly recurring donation thru Anchor. LINKS: ALL THINGS ALLISON Music: Drop from M.A.D. ‘Holocaust’ Bratmobile: ‘I’m with the Band’ Deep Lust: 'Think Yr the Better One Cool Moms: 'USAGI' Sex Stains: 'Land of La-La' Bratmobile: Live at Jabberjaw 6/27/93 TM pod theme by Jason