Riley Rae Burridge Owner of Safety Pin Shows

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Contact Details

Interview Details

Date: Wednesday March 4th, 2026
Location: Colchester
Length: 01:01:16
Episode Number: 63
Show Notes Link: vermonttalks.com/safety-pin-shows-riley-burridge
Short Link: vermonttalks.com/63

Transcript

Becca: Welcome to Vermont Talks. It is the 63rd episode and it is the 4th of March on a Wednesday in 2026. Trying to remember the date and I’m really, really not good at these things. I am here today with Riley. Riley Burridge. Yay.

Hi. Riley is running slash owns. We should say owns. Riley owns Safety Pin Shows. Currently booking at Odd Fellows Burlington Hall, which we just talked about last time, which is why Riley is here this time to talk about all of the amazing shows, which are at like 50 something booked just at Odd Fellows.

Riley: I don’t even know how many shows I’ve looked at this point and like, oh, that’s on the docket.

Becca: So it’s crazy, crazy to think about. And Safety Pin Shows is uplifting underrepresented voices and bands, safe, inclusive spaces for all. And your Instagram is growing rapidly. Shout out to your Instagram immediately, since that’s where you book most of these. And Riley plays drums in multiple bands around town. A lot of people know Riley. And Riley also manages one band currently. Yeah. Which bands? Let’s talk about all of the things.

Riley: Yeah. So the band, the first band I’ll talk about is like my, I’ll call it like my main band. The band I’ve been there along since, what is it, like 2021? That way falls a shout out to them.

I’ve been in that band for quite a bit after I was such a dude on Craigslist, you know, as it goes. That was Tristan. And then afterwards, Tristan came, I played bass at the time. And I tried out for bass because I wanted to get into like real music. I was in a weird cover band. Shout out to my old band members in Hootie School.

That was the name of my 90s cover band. But yeah, Tristan, Tristan got back to me. I was like, cool, sounds good. I played a gig with him down at the Jewel in Manchester. And it went pretty good. We vibed. And then we were like, yeah, let’s continue because Tristan was living up at Hewan Vermont, moving from Massachusetts. And then it grew from there. And then I switched to drums when we needed a drummer because I’ve also been playing drums longer than bass. So I was like, I’m more comfortable with this than I just stuck. And yeah, and the story is I’ve been extremely invested in this band.

We have an album out as we have an album, an EP and also a single out a Christmas song currently. And I manage them. I do all the booking.

I run out social media page. And yeah, I’m the person behind the scenes. So I’m not the front person at all. But like, I’m the one behind the scenes doing all the cooking of all the shows and all the fun stuff. So that’s my main band, my second band, which is a fast lead growing into my main band is called We’re Here to Kill, which Becca, the host of this podcast is the bassist for.

Becca: So we haven’t booked the band interview yet. We need to do that.

Riley: But yeah, so We’re Here to Kill. It was a kind of a project idea of Fisher and me.

Becca: What I remember a Fisher, I was gonna say, we got to say Fisher Wag. Fisher Wag. Now that I’ve heard of any other fishers around, but Fisher Wag specifically.

Riley: Yeah. So how it kind of started from like what I remember, Fisher might say, that’s not how it started. But this is what I remember is Fisher played a show with Valley Falls when Valley Falls did our first tour back in 2024. And Fisher followed. I drove Fisher down to Massachusetts. Oh, I met Fisher. I forgot which one.

Bad memory. But then Valley Falls had a show in Rutland, which is funny enough because another band I was a part of was on that show too at this record store. And when we were drawing, Fisher and I was throwing out the idea like, oh yeah, what if we start a new project? Because I just drummed on one of Fisher’s tracks at the time that he released on the solo project. And I was like, I’m really interested in this kind of our vibes matched a lot.

Like this would be something we would be interested in. That was back in July. Soon Fisher was a K, found a singer, like more of a fem singer, Tegan, as well as a bassist at the time, Travis. And we got together. And the groove and then everything was great. We started working out some songs, played a few shows, then we murdered Travis on stage. Actual fact is we killed him on stage and he got sent to the land of the dead of Alaska. And then Becca out of thin air, like just appeared and became albacist.

So that’s exactly how it went down. Deep band lore. Deep band lore. And yeah, I mean, we’ve been a band for like over a year-ish, like a year and a half now, probably like a year.

Becca: Yeah, yeah, when, because it was 2020.

Riley: I want to say November of 2024. Right, was that the first show at Desposito RIP? No, our first show, theoretically Fisher, it was a Fisher wax show. That was a surprise. Oh my god, Fisher’s in an actual band now. Because I remember Tegan, Travis and I walked on stage and like we started playing Fuck It, which is I want to fish your songs. And then we just started playing a few other songs at that time. Like, yeah, this is We’re Here to Kill, which Becca, I’m pretty sure you are the one who came up with the name because you came to one of our band practices. I don’t know if that’s true.

Becca: I remember what happened, but I, okay, so I was like, you guys played Fuck It, I think. Yeah. And Travis wasn’t there. God bless Travis. Bless your heart. RIP Travis. And I was surprised because Fisher’s music is a lot, you know, just more folk punky kind of. And I was like, wow, I just wasn’t expecting that when you guys finished. Something like that. And Fisher goes, yeah, we’re here to kill. And then everyone went, that’s a good name.

Riley: Yeah. So like you were there. Okay. Again, it was one of those things that I don’t remember, but like it just happened. You were there and like the name came and it just stuck. And now it’s just like, it’s a natural thing. And like, it’s such a good name. We’re here to kill.

Becca: It’s so fun to shout when you show up on stage.

Riley: It is. Exactly. So yeah, we’ve been in this band for a bit. It’s been, it’s been great to play with them all. And just throw out ideas. We’re working on our first album right now. I this past weekend, I tracked six of our songs. We got two more to track. We already have a single out worth it, which holy crap is doing really, really fucking well. And with a lot of good reviews. And we do have a music video with it, which is exciting and fun.

Becca: It’s crazy that there’s a music video for the first single.

Riley: And like more stuff to come. I feel like the four of us are just, we throw ideas at each other, like probably every single day. And like, not everything sticks, but like the fact that like the four of us can throw ideas at each other shows that like we are in this together and like, whoa, we’re huge like boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. Like we want the ideas to happen. We want the cool stuff. I mean, just today, I’m, I don’t know, like if I should spoil any like upcoming possible merch or not, maybe maybe, maybe, maybe we’ll wait, but like there’s some cool merch ideas coming. If you’re, if you’re a fan of 2000s hit clips, if you remember that, that’s just a little, little sneak peek there. But yeah, there’s lots of fun stuff coming.

I’m super excited because it’s also a project that like, I can fully feel a part of too. Like I have my very first song. I’ve ever like, like, I’m going to say like almost fully written because I did know Tegan did rewrite some of the lyrics and also Fisher tweaked the guitar riff at all. But like being somebody who’s always been, um, struggles with songwriting, like I’ve written songs before I’ve had a few songs recorded before, but never released. The fact that like the song that I came up with randomly on a day and like is going to be on our album, I’m so fucking pumped for because it’s like, this is the first time that I’ve written that’s being like professionally done.

Becca: It’s such a good song. It’s a big inspiration from Nirvana, but I was going for like, I want to sound like fucking Nirvana. I want to just sound like, Oh my God, this is a Nirvana ripoff because you know what? Fuck it. It’s fun. It’s fun to just play up whatever the fuck you want and who the fuck cares if somebody’s like, Oh, it sounds like Nirvana’s like, shut up. Like I don’t care. Like it’s fun and you like the song.

Riley: But yeah, so that’s, that’s basically we’re here to kill war in the middle of some fun stuff. So that’s some exciting shows coming up.

Becca: Um, but yeah, um, we’re playing Saturday, this

Riley: Saturday, this Saturday, I don’t know when this podcast is probably going to release this like really soon. Awesome. So Saturday, May, March 7th, we have a show coming up with some of my favorite bands, Violet Crimes, which is a punk band of the area. Love them. Amy Roger. You guys are incredible.

Um, then we have Sophie’s body, which I love Sophie’s body. I saw them at a 420 show two years ago in a basement. Or was it a year two years ago? I think I actually don’t remember if it was to get rambling, but

Becca: anyhow, they ever since I saw them, I was like, this band is incredible. I want to play with them so bad. I’m so excited they’re joining and also psycho disco. I love psycho disco.

I’ve played with them quite a few times. Amelia is amazing. I love her. She’s just so awesome. And Spencer is one of the best guitarists I’ve ever seen and also one of the best fashion styles of any guitarist ever. So shout out, Spencer.

Love you. But yeah, so that’s that. And then we have a few other shows coming up too. We’re playing in a single release party for a local band. We’re playing on a music festival later this year. So got some fun stuff and a lot of unannounced shows. Yes. Yeah, we have a cut to

Riley: some of the look out for that. And I should also shout out that like I was also the drummer for a little bit for the local thumb punk band Burley Gurles for a stunt last year. So from like January to October, I joined them on the tour with a few local shows, few big shows, Fem Fest. It was pretty fun. So shout out Morgan and Ray and Spencer. Love you all. So hopefully we can play again sometime soon.

Becca: Awesome. Okay, go back up now. Yes. Safety pin. When did safety pin become a thing? It was less. Was it all an entire year ago?

Riley: Like right around a year ago? Less than a year ago. So what happened was picture this. Despacito, we’re here to kill dogwater, a band I forgot and dog face.

Becca: Yes, I was at the show.

Riley: Yes, you’ll yes. We get shut down by the fire marshal and then Despacito closes and we’re like, Oh, shit. My other band Valley Falls has a show coming up in like two weeks. We need a venue. Fisher had already been talking to odd fellows at that time. Like we want to do shows and I friend, I was friends and friends with one of the people who organized over their tepee. It was like, we should need to do this. My man needs a venue and they were able to put things together and the first show was created on May 2nd. And it kicked off.

Was fantastic. And I think at that point we’re just like, we need to become the like a new venue because odd fellows used to do shows back in the day. We used to be the place for hardcore shows and me who was looking at doing something else with my time and get more into booking because I enjoy booking. I offered my services like, I will organize the shows.

I will put together the bills if you can offer the place to play and Fisher was there to run sound. Excuse me. Safety pin shows came. I want to say maybe in July, like June, July, because I know like it didn’t come like in May. Only thing because I think that time was like the excitement of what can happen.

Becca: Yeah, definitely. We’re just figuring it out.

Riley: Oh, yeah. I think safety pin actually came like soon afterwards, like maybe like end of May. And it was kind of a, if I’m going to do this, I need to have like a name. And I played around with so much.

So many like I played around like Girl Next Door booking that was already taken like a lot of stuff. And safety pin shows came to me because a while back I know safety pins was like an emblem for like I’m a safe person to talk to, especially during the Trump era, the first Trump administration. And I love that aspect, even if like it was a lot of people founded like goofy or not. But I love the idea of what safety pins stood for. And that it was a symbol of I’m trustworthy.

I’m somebody you can be with if you’re an immigrant, LGBTQ plus a all that. And I was like safety pin shows. The rules off the tongue. It fits. And that’s how it created. So ever since then, I know Becca created my logo. And I still use it to this day.

Becca: So I love that you love it. I do not make logos for people.

Riley: Typically, it was great. It’s great. And I’ve had like three or four people reach out to make, do you want me to redesign this? Like, do you want a new logo? I’m like, why? I really like this logo.

Becca: Like they want it to be more modern or something.

Riley: They want modern or like more like country or anything. But I’m also just like, I love simplicity. I love just how simple everything is because I don’t think it should be that complicated.

Becca: Like we talked about it. Yeah, that’s yeah, because it could have been a lot more like in your face or like business.

Riley: Yeah, it’s not though. It’s kind of fun. Also, I’m not like, I’m not like a businessy kind of person. Like I’m, I’m not very organized myself either. But like, I try to be and I’m like, I just need like a simple logo. Like it’s also not like a need at all. Because like I could have just did something in Canva myself and just called it good.

Becca: But it is a hand drawn picture of an actual safety pin.

Riley: Exactly. Which is better than just finding a clip art of the like that’s just right. That’s going on.

Becca: You got the safety pin that was drawn. So like it’s real art people don’t judge the art so harshly. Exactly.

Riley: But yeah, it’s hmm. But yeah, that’s when it started. And ever since then, I’ve been approached by I want to say like over like 100 to 200 bands at this point, looking to book odd fellows. And I’m unfortunately have to turn away a lot of bands because we can only do shows on Thursday and Friday nights. We used to be able to do Thursday nights sometimes, but it’s just so tricky because there’s not many people to run them. So it’s like only on a very, very rare special occasions we can do Thursday show. Like I feel bad whenever anybody’s like, can I get a Thursday show? I’m like, we can’t just there’s not enough people and also the turnout on Thursday nights.

Not that great, especially we can’t find a band to join. Yeah. So we have one more Thursday show. I know I’m going to that show even though there’s a show at higher ground that I don’t want to go to because I love both of the shows. But I’m like, no, I can see that band other band anytime. This other band I need to go see at the show. And also I love Jesse Taylor. So Jesse Taylor’s band is so good. But yeah, so that’s kind of how it started back in May when it became an actual venue. And ever since then just stuck with it. There’s been no reason for me to change anything. And just to keep trucking along.

Becca: So yeah, it’s it’s really cool how many different bands from all over you keep they keep reaching out to you.

Riley: I think that’s one of my favorite things. Because if you look at all the other venues around like Burlington, everything, a lot of them have like a specific genre like Monkey House, no longer books like hardcore shows, rap shows, any of that. Those first republic that does only punk shows. They really don’t do any other shows because that’s through the bookers just punk shows.

Higher ground does you have to be like uber famous to play there. And I’m just like, why limit why limit myself? Because like, I like I grew up listening to country music, switch the Beatles switch to like old timey music 50s. And then I went to like this pop punk fate like I went through all the phases and like, I don’t want to limit the venue to like one specific genre.

That’s fucking lame. Like I love the fact that we can offer every single genre a home that we’ve had rap shows, we’ve had folk shows, we’ve had hardcore shows, punk shows, all the above. And it’s incredible that like we can have that community. And it’s at this point now where people are talking, this is the place to play. Like you’re going to Vermont, this is the place to play because they offer everybody a home because community is the first thought.

Becca: So yeah, it’s really keeping music like viable in a time when we keep seeing more and more venues just shutting their doors. And like the fact that radio bean is quite possibly closing yeah is really it’s painful at this point for people who do love music and the kids like there are kids, the kids come to the hardcore

Riley: shows like we get so many kids. And it’s so awesome to see because a lot of people look at kids of like, hmm, kids are doing drugs all the time.

Becca: And all that stuff is

Riley: crazy. And also if they go to a show that’s all ages and substance free, which is what we are. Then like there’s a good likely chance that that night they’re staying out of trouble. They’re going to art and they can also express themselves because if they’re interested in playing, they can talk to me and I don’t have any barriers to play. Okay, I’m going to put an hashtag there are barriers. I do not allow AI art at all because fuck AI. Yeah.

Becca: So we live in Vermont. We’re surrounded by artists. Ask anybody or just make something shitty.

Riley: Like just do it yourself. I think I think something really cool. Like I have seen really shitty posters. And you know what? It I’m I would be like that is a shitty poster. But it’s also like in the stain age is like, you didn’t use AI. So I’m proud of you. Exactly. I’m proud of you for making something shitty. Because I think as an artist, if if you are afraid to make something shitty, because that’s all you can do, then you you haven’t taken that first step as an artist. Like do not be afraid to make something shitty that people might not like because do you think it’s cool at the moment? Is that all you can do?

Becca: Yeah, no one’s judging the art on posters for bands. Exactly. Like they just want to know that a band is playing and when that’s the whole point.

Riley: Also, you know how you get better is you keep doing it. Like I used to suck. I used like the first posters I ever designed didn’t really look good. And like you can go back and I use Canva. I know hate me for Canva uses but like I love Canva. I don’t use any other AI shit

Becca: because I think can was completely like a viable thing, especially for marketing solutions.

Riley: I’m also not like I can’t fucking draw a stick figure. But like I love the ideas. I love the clip art kind of stuff of like the old fashioned punk kind of posturing is like where I really shine at and make the best posters. But like when I first started was really shitty, shitty posters. And then like I started just experimenting and knowing what’s best better and gets better. So to any artist like using AI, first of all, stop.

You have the tools at your fingertips. Who the fuck cares of a shitty go online. Look up posters. I this is what I do from any of my shows that from my bands is I will literally go online. Look up punk posters, alternative posters DIY. And I will see ideas I will get inspiration. And I would put that inspiration down. It’s not the best. Like it’s not like what you would see a fucking famous man do it. Right. But who the fuck cares because it’s a community show.

Becca: Yeah. And there’s a lot of it’s really sad because artists are obviously complaining about this online and like bigger festivals are using AI are and like straight up like, no, you we don’t want your art this year.

We’re going to use AI and then like they one of them, I think it was BB King had like seven fingers. And like that’s the poster that this they’re using like you guys.

Riley: That’s so sad. I’ve seen many venues around here use AI posters and it’s been like, it’s been heartbreaking because to me playing music as a musician and being an artist go hand in hand. And if you can’t respect art, then like, why are you a musician? Because to me, I love art so fucking much. I love seeing the shitty art people make.

I love when it’s laughable, because it’s great because a human made it. Right. And they might have been proud of that moment or they may like this is shitty. But you know what we live in the day and age of memes. And even if it’s a fucking meme, it’s amazing. But like if you go into a fucking chat, I don’t even know what you fucking use.

Becca: Yeah, I don’t even that’s it.

Riley: I don’t I don’t generate like posters, info, blah and use that. It’s gross. Controversial, go fuck yourself.

Becca: So it’s I think it’s fair because art, that’s it. Art and music are the same thing. Music is just the art of sound, right? It’s like the passage of time that you can listen to through.

Exactly. And it’s really cool because it’s one of the it’s invisible art, right? And that’s why we need bad posters and album art. And you know, when they used to actually send you a poster in your seedy sleeve, or whatever. Right.

So cool. And like that binds to the music in such a weird way, because our brains want to conceptualize visual things. It’s so important. Like the artwork on the wall, when I was a kid, that was like, oh my God, yeah.

Riley: Oh, this is and it’s so simple, right? It’s like the dumbest, most simple. I feel like artwork like that’s not even around anymore. Like you you just reminded me of like CDs that I would you get that had the posters, which like a lie is not a bad idea for when we release our album.

Becca: But writing notes now. But yeah, like that’s that’s what’s dying. And also like the bullshit of like fucking Taylor Swift or whatnot charging like fucking 80 90 bucks for fucking vinyl and like and repeat vinyls. Exactly. Like she’s literally clogging up all of the vinyl creators so that you can’t get a vinyl printed unless your Taylor Swift.

Riley: So shitty seeing that. Because also like she has been like people have proven that she has used AI people and shocking.

Becca: I know. And it’s like I the Swifties are going to come after me for this. But like I just don’t like she’s a fine musician. I think her songwriting gets sloppier and sloppier every single time and just gets cringier. And I think the last album, there was some very interesting word choices.

Riley: But to go back on track. Yes.

Becca: As as somebody who values art for the community and everything. AI is just not where it’s at. And just do it yourself. Like that’s what music is about. Like ask yourself as a musician like would you rather not be able to play music because a venue would rather just play a AI generated music. Like that’s kind of what it’s like. Or like like that’s that’s where we’re headed to as a as a as a society is this AI everything. Yes.

Which is stupid. I’m convinced those AI music in all like stores now. Like when you hear the overhead and everything. I don’t recognize any of the music. It could also be because I’m not hip anymore.

Because I’m fucking 28 almost 29. But like I’m convinced that that music. That like elevator music. Yeah.

Probably. It’s not like oh we’re not going to pay a subscription to use a streaming service. We’re going to use a music generate 24 hours of music. AI and that’s probably exactly what kind of nonsense.

Riley: It’s so bullshit. But yeah. We don’t allow AI. That’s fucking odd fellows. That that odd fellows agrees with that. I mean I know that Tepe is an artist and I mean they would probably be heartbroken.

Becca: Yeah. There’s a lot of artists. They’d probably be heartbroken if they those AI artwork. So you have the rules. So anybody listening who wants to play odd fellows I do check each poster for AI. I do have my I do have an AI checker and I do run each poster through it and I have turned away a show already for using AI posters saying no you can’t you can’t use this try again. They gave me another post make I’m canceling the show. Like you did not respect our policy. So I’m serious about that. Hate me for that. But use your own artwork. It’s not that hard. So yeah. Yeah. Definitely not that hard.

Riley: Also all just use a canva template like canva is free for like the basic stuff. They have templates. I know you’ve seen those templates everywhere but you know what who the fuck cares.

Becca: That’s it. They’re templates for a reason to exactly like you recognize the format.

Riley: It’s not like oh I’ve seen this poster elsewhere. Cool. That means somebody’s going to be like oh I recognize that and look at it again. Like oh the information has changed. Hmm. That’s what I view. But yeah. But yeah to continue the conversation.

Becca: Are there other rules after the substance phrase.

Riley: Hold on. I got to actually bring this up because like I I do have rules on my Instagram.

Becca: So yeah I think they’re pinned right. It is pinned so it’s pinned on safety pin. Yeah. So well all ages and open to the public be respectful one another. No hate. We do not allow any hateful rhetoric in there before and after shows before and during the show and after. So no artist can have any hateful views. So no homophobic sexist racist xenophobic transphobic or ableist views. Also all the above kind of views. If we do find that you’re using those you will be banned from performing because the space is a community base welcoming everybody of all backgrounds. And if you can’t respect that then get the fuck out you’re not allowed to play your band.

No AI, substance free. The other one that I feel like a lot of people have issue with this rule is I have a two month rule. Yeah, which I think is fair because there’s a lot of artists.

Riley: Yeah, so no artists can play at Odd Fellows within two months of another show that they’re playing at Odd Fellows. So it gets complicated because we definitely have an amount of local bands and it’s hard when you’re trying to find a band for your show and it’s like, no, they’re already playing Odd Fellows. But the reality is we can only do Friday and Saturday shows. That’s twice a week, four times that’s eight shows. Yeah. And with multiple different genres, you’re telling me out of 16 shows, you can’t find other bands.

Becca: There are other bands playing out. That’s it. There’s so many bands that it’s weird the way networking works because I know there’s like a zillion bands that we aren’t communicating with.

Riley: Yeah, which there is a project that I’m currently in the process of working on.

Becca: Do you want to talk about that because I have questions and is Fisher helping you with this?

Riley: So I can talk about it a little bit. Nothing’s definite right now, but like I brought up to Fisher as like my issue is like, I don’t know that many bands in the area. Like I know the people I’m friends with, all the shows that I’ve already booked or who write shout to me, but finding bands that like I don’t know anything about or like are just in different communities is hard for me because I don’t know that many people outside of my community.

And to me, that’s an issue because like when I’m trying to book shows, I’m trying to invite bands who’ve never played that before because I want to give everybody a chance to play there. So my idea was a wiki, which Big Heavy World used to do. The websites are active with the wiki. It’s so not up to date.

Becca: It’s been years. Yeah, I think but we kind of knew. My idea was to update it, but also make it more interactive with also info about venues throughout Chinatown. We’re looking at expanding that through to Vermont. Yeah, I think you should do it throughout all of Vermont.

Riley: Right now, there’s a few of us, I would say about five or six of us that are talking to actually take lead on this and like come up with an idea. We’re meeting in a few weeks. I don’t know what any of this is going to look like. This 100% is coming off of me being a book or saying like, I don’t know who to ask anymore who the local bands as well as like there should be a website where people who are wanting book shows here in Vermont can be like, I need to find a band who’s like indie rock.

I don’t know who to ask. Oh, there’s a website that like filters all the bands out of like class. They classify themselves as Indian rock. Right.

And then like you can like get us like 20, 30 bands and like, Holy shit, that’s a lot of bands. Right. I might as well ask and there would be an update date too. So you can see who’s current and whatnot. It’s a huge project because my hope would also be a backlog of history to act both as a present wiki, but also as a who’s who was here.

And I know there’s a lot of people who can help with that. I mean, I’m fucking 28. I’m not from Burlington. Yeah, I’m from a fucking tiny ass town Vermont. Right.

Becca: So, well, yeah, that’s it. You could port over a lot of what big happy world has some historical stuff.

Riley: There’s going to be some history asking that, but it’s a big project that I’m not expecting to take off in the next few months. It’s like, it’s just, it’s a dream to have as somebody who wants to be more connected to the local scene.

Becca: So about this Google form in like an

Riley: hour, but the fact is who’s going to be moderators of that and like how many responders? Because my guess of how many bands in just Chittenden County alone is about a little over two to 300. Yeah. And having two to 300 people respond to Google form. First of all, very challenging because I’m also want to include the old Fuddy Duddies. And like, because folk music or like a bluegrass, I want to include them in this. Yeah.

Becca: And yeah, we can do it. It’s kind of like doing the census. But for music. Yeah, I went posted in every single group, but the Fuddy Duddies are in a few different groups that are not the DIY Burlington group. No, but yeah, just just a big old, very structured Google form. So you can have like multiple tags of genres.

Riley: That’s there’s there’s ideas how to do this because I once tried to sit down and

Becca: start I would not custom code that I would do it through a Google form. If I was doing that for work, that’s what I would do.

Riley: I know one of the people helping out Jackie from the love of the bound books started with this project a lot. A long time ago. Also love the bound books. Huge shout out to them.

They make custom playlists like all the time. Holy fuck. It is incredible to love when that comes out and just like the being able to do that is amazing and like such an awesome tool. So like there’s too many shout outs I could give about the local scene. Like I fucking love so many people of the area.

It’s I honestly think Burlington is lucky for everybody in the scene. Like yeah, a lot of people outside were like, Oh, the scene’s done. Like I think the scene is as alive as ever. Like there’s so many bands. The issue is the venues aren’t as well known.

Becca: Yeah, the venues aren’t as well known and a lot of people just don’t hear about stuff. Like if you don’t live in Burlington and you’re not in Chittenden County, they don’t know. Right.

They might they might know the handful but like nectars and higher ground were always the most dominant. So like radio being is I love radio being it’s teeny tiny though. It’s like people and it’s weirdly stepped.

Riley: I will say. Yeah, promoting for shows is also difficult, especially in Vermont. Anytime anybody books with my venue, I always tell them that like for us what we do for promoting is I will post my Instagram and then the week before the show I’ll post it at the stories and everything get a load like that.

Get it just a little more engagement. The guys over at odd fellows, they were a post on Reddit usually. It was a quick like Kate like the Bronx and Reddit and the Vermont right of like, Hey, here’s the shows are odd fellows like this week or like this month. Yeah. And besides that we post up posters on the but everything else needs to be from the bands and I’m such a hypocrite for saying that because I’ve been in a situation like why isn’t the booker doing more for us?

But the reality is I don’t have time for every single show. Yeah. I’m a booker, not a promoter.

So like I’m really sorry to all the bands who come to me looking for a promote promoter, but like I can’t like, yeah, I’m wicked busy in my life like two

Becca: bands, you’re busy talking to jobs, the bands who are messaging you.

Riley: I think I just cracked the audio there.

Becca: Yeah, I think you’re fine. I was worried about it. That’s it. I think it’s it’s doing something really interesting where the gain is like for us. It’s on the output.

Riley: 32 bit flow. Yeah. Well, yeah. So that’s what I was saying. It’s like, it sucks. But that’s also DIY. And that’s why you got to get good local bands on the bill and local bands like this needs to be understanding like all local bands you need to promote your shows. Like that’s like how you succeed. And I don’t care if like you’re just like, yeah, this is fun. I don’t really like take it seriously.

The bands that you play with might be taking it seriously. So think about how they are. And like, I’m not trying to tell people what to do. But like, like, how do you feel if you’ve come to a show and those two people in the audience and you didn’t post any posters around town? You didn’t post about this.

You might have posted once about it. Right. But like you didn’t make videos about like the promoter. Like, I will say like some of the like, there’s awesome engagement that I see.

And like the crowd shows up like shout out some bands like Better Things. Brian is one of the best people I’ve ever seen with promotion materials. Yeah, because he’s constantly posting videos, which is like, yeah, like at this point, like, I know Brian, I know you have a show.

But like, it’s also just like, that’s how you do it. That’s how you get people to come on show is you make content in this day of content. TikTok exists. Instagram reels exist. Facebook reels exist. Like, so much. I do it for my bands. Like I make content for my bands because that’s how you do it.

Becca: Yeah, the videos get pushed way harder. As far as I know, they keep pushing reels way more than like, just a still frame picture.

Riley: So I want to highly recommend bands make video content. Like, it’s annoying. You may, if you’re like, Oh, I’m not funny enough. Oh, I’m not like entertaining. Who the fuck cares? Like, literally, just try. Right? Like, that’s all that matters is trying.

Becca: So and you can make videos that your face isn’t even in. Yeah, that’s also a thing that you can do.

Riley: Look, as somebody who like, I like, I mean, for those who don’t know, I am a transgender woman. I’m somebody who is very dysphoric about the way I look. I’ve been transitioning for a while now. As well as I fucking hate my voice. I get through that because I know that’s how I need to promote myself is just to fucking get through it all. And like, it sucks. I hate listening to myself.

I hate seeing myself a lot of the times. But you know what? Who the fuck cares? Because at the end of the day, did you have fun doing it is the most important fact is like, it’s not about how you feel later on. It’s about did you have fun doing it? Right.

Becca: And doing something. Yeah, do it. Just do something. Because I love people. But so many people spend so many times in their life talking about stuff. Like, Oh, I wish I could play guitar. Just do the thing. I mean, pick it up and learn.

Riley: You can do it. I’m one of the biggest advocates for fuck it energy. I’m just like, just do it.

Becca: Like, just give it a shot. Like, who the fuck cares what you’re gonna look like, what you’re gonna be like, if you want to go do something, when you think something’s a good idea, fuck it. Do it. Yeah, like, that’s all give it a shot. And it’s you, if you regret it, is like my one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite songs is it’s no better to be safe than sorry.

Yeah. And that comes from my favorite song, Take On Me by Aha. That is lowly my favorite song.

I’m going to get that tattooed on me. But that’s it’s very true because yeah, and just do it because like I made this podcast, people are so funny about this podcast. I’m doing it like you want to make a podcast. Fuck it. Do it. Try it. I just keep making mine and it keeps surprising me.

Riley: And to wrap it back to kind of like the whole like thing about like safety pin shows. That’s what I did. Like, I was like, fuck it. Like, this is going to be hard.

Why not just fucking try. Right. And I mean, it’s successful. Like, also, for everybody’s aware, I do not get paid for anything I do. Like, yeah, my bands do not pay me. The safety pin shows does not pay me. I do all this for free because I just love the scene and I love music.

Becca: Yeah, nobody is getting paid.

Riley: Nobody is getting paid. These days. But the only people getting paid are basically just the bands and like, not not a big cut to just keep the lights on. Bands don’t make money. Yeah, odd follows takes a small cut, but that’s just to pay their rent and everything to right. So right. But that’s kind of like the fucking energy of like, if I cared about money, I would not be in bands. I would not be doing this. Oh, I would just be demanding money from every single show. But I’m not because I see these bands that come in from like, Massachusetts, Connecticut, like California, or having a band come in from fucking Seattle. Sweet.

Well, it’s the headliner, sister, wife, sex drive from OddFest. And I’m seeing them like, they’re more needless money than I am. I’m not saying that I’m can I’m wealthy or anything because I’m fucking not. I’m pretty broke. Right.

Becca: But you’re also not traveling to Seattle.

Riley: Exactly. Like, I’m not traveling. Like, I’m lonely. It’s my free time. And I probably put in like a good like 10 to 20 hours a week, just on safety pin shows show like stuff on promoting Instagram, reaching out to bands, planning shows and all that

Becca: is like 90% of us on Instagram.

Riley: 90% is on Instagram. I would say I do get emails.

Becca: Okay, I is that safety pin safety pin shows at gmail.com.

Riley: Okay, that was also a good big reason why I named it that because the domain was available. Yeah, I don’t know about the website, but I really don’t give a shit about the website. Okay, I don’t know how to do websites.

So I’m not even going to go into that yet. I could buy the domain, but right, you can sit on it. But yeah, but it’s, it’s just like, I do all this work on Instagram. Directly, I need to make a Facebook page. But I really hate Facebook so much. Yep.

Becca: They’re both just invested with bots at this point.

Riley: It’s just Facebook’s the one that’s dying. Like I to me, nobody uses Facebook anymore. Like for any, anything like those are few groups that I go to. But like, the only reason I have Facebook is to literally go to these like two groups to check shows. That’s the only use in my Facebook store exists.

Becca: There’s a lot of people on Facebook still. I know there’s like billions of active users every day. It’s one of the like gorillas of the internet.

Riley: I think in regards to local music and kind of like getting the name out. It’s everybody uses Instagram, which I used to be a big Instagram hater. And then I switched and now I hate Facebook and Instagram’s honest. I mean, I hate Instagram.

Becca: Everybody should hate social media. So in regards to shows, playing shows, promoting it’s the way of the game. You gotta play it. I really wish I had more time because the website where you’re going to have this wiki, yeah, should have calendar. The and just what’s poured it over from

Riley: we’re talking about like what we could do as a news newsletter. All such. I will give them credit say as seven days does do an awesome job with posting shows. I’m wicked bad about sharing shows with them.

Even my own band shows. I’m like, Oh, yeah, I shouldn’t done that. Like, I know it’s a simple email. It just doesn’t cross my mind. But it’s one of those things where like, that’s a fault of mine is I don’t do this for my own bands.

But like other bands, you don’t, you don’t need to be do the same thing. So it’s just another it’s just another thing. But yeah, something is sure to come later down the road.

And I’m excited for what it could be. And also what it could lead to because there’s also a lot of questions like, okay, what about like the very famous people from Vermont? Like, do we be like, do we include like, Noah Khan, fish, Gray Spotter, like all these big names on this website, because they are Vermont history. Yeah. So it’s kind of like just like, people know that they’re from Vermont.

But like, like, I wouldn’t want like, I don’t know, I think everybody needs to be treated equally. Even though Gray Spotter and fish and Noah Connell like the biggest people, also 8084. So shout out them. I actually really enjoy them.

Becca: Yeah, I think yeah, just a simple directory website. And that’s it. You don’t need to give them any more space than anyone else.

Riley: Yeah. So but we’ll see how that goes down the line. And if there’s energy for it, I think the biggest reason why Safety Pin shows and also the shows that odd, odd fellows have been successful as there’s been energy.

Yeah. And the energy keeps going. And if there’s not the energy, it’s going to die. But I feel like there’s a need for community. And there’s a need to keep everything going, keep the lights on.

Becca: Yeah, keep music in Vermont. Because that’s it. It’s not like no one in Vermont is like, Oh, yeah, we don’t want music in this state. Well, state loves music. They’re just really bad about the whole you know, going to a bar thing.

Riley: I mean, Gen Z, I know the statistic about Gen Z drinks less. I mean, I’m on the cusp of Gen Z. Like, I mean, I’m a zillennial for anybody who’s keeping track of that.

But like, I’m a Gen Z-er. And like, I don’t drink really that much. Like, I mean, I don’t even like smoke weed. Like I used to smoke weed a lot. But I don’t even because it’s not fun.

Becca: No, and it sucks to go to a bar all the time.

Riley: You have to buy a drink. That’s the thing is like, it’s like, you always have to buy something. You always have to do something. Also, with me, I’m just like, I always get the munchies whenever I smoke. And like, it just I just I’ve lost, I lost that need to do that. And it could just be the fact of growing up. Or it could just be like the brain chemistry.

But like, I know a lot of people who are also the same. I’m just like, no, we’re just sober just because why not? And I love it. And having a sober space like that, where the focus is on the music right is extremely important.

Becca: Yeah, it really fills a hole. Like it’s not a replacement for 242, because that’s like a team center.

Riley: Yeah, I will say it’s it lets kids play. I come to shows. People do compare Oddfellows to 242. And they have been saying this is the new 242. I never experienced 242. Yeah, it was before like when I was in Burlington. I didn’t even get to experience a gyms basement show. Yeah, like, I’m I’m that young.

Becca: I never went to gyms. I only went to one 242 show in like 2011 or 12.

Riley: I’m I’m so young.

Becca: But it’s odd fellows has a nicer space.

Riley: They they do a lot of stuff does need to be fixed up. It’s going to cost thousands and thousands of dollars. And that’s on their organization and everything.

Becca: Yeah, and they’re working on it. But going to shows helps.

Riley: Yes, going to shows helps. And being part of the community, like, it’d be cool to get grants or what not for it. But again, there’s a lot of there’s a lot like that we could do.

Oh, excuse me. But also, like, enjoying the moment too, because like, life’s not all like the entire thing’s not about like, what’s the next thing I’m gonna do? What’s the next thing you do?

Like, sometimes it’s nice to just ride, ride, ride what you’re doing. Like, I know we have Oddfest coming up, coming up in June on June 27. We have 10 incredible performers. This is bigger than last year. We have two out of state bands, which last year we had one technically out of state band. But this year we have two pretty big headliners. We have three headliners this year, because it’s sister wife sex strike from Seattle, not like a folk punk band.

Amazing. I one of my favorite bands, I’ve seen them quite a few times. And I was so thrilled that they wanted to be a part of Oddfest. Dusty the kid, they’re from Montana, another folk folksy person, and then dog face local band. Amazing, amazing songwriter and just amazing vibe. And plus seven other bands to just listen. We have brunch, we have leatherbound books, Fisher and the Flood, Shout out Fisher Wags, other band besides We’re Here to Kill, Valley Falls, Doom Service, The Eye Traps and Paper Castles.

So an incredible lineup for an incredible day. And I can’t, can’t wait for it. There’s so much work that we still need to be done. And right now we’re in the raising funds scene.

Becca: They give us money for Oddfest part.

Riley: Yeah, well, we’re looking for sponsors for Oddfest. And it’s a lot of work to approach business. It is 100% for a good cause. Because if you don’t know Oddfest, 100% of the proceeds at the door go to the North End food pantry.

Nobody takes any money from it. So everybody who’s working there, all volunteers. So we’d have to, you have to remember that like, when you buy your ticket at the front, that’s 100% just go straight to the North End food pantry. You’re not only paying to go see live music, you’re paying to, to give to the North End food pantry. Yeah, I think that’s awesome. And it’s a great opportunity that we can offer these music, but also like this is also feeds a family.

I don’t know if what’s true, but I think I remember like something like $25 like feeds a family for like three or four days or something. Yeah. I would love to have like that out this year, except it’s really important for folks to see. Yeah. But yeah.

Becca: And there’s also like artists.

Riley: Yep, we have an inside art market, various other vendors. We’re going to have possibly have a tattooer, which is new. Maybe. Maybe. Well, we’ll see how that goes. We’re going to have some food vendors, which is great. As some outdoor games and everything while odd fest is going on. Just so much. It’s going to be bigger than better than last year. Last year.

Becca: And it’s just fun. It’s like one of those cute things in the new North End, which does not have a whole lot of cute things.

Riley: This is the, I might say the only music venue in the new North End.

Becca: Yeah, I think you might be right about that. Well, I mean, Lily’s pad is also. Oh yeah, I forgot about Lily’s pad. They’re a basement venue that does like more chill kind of vibe. So shout out Maya from Lily’s pad.

You guys do amazing work out there. And Rory. Yes. And Rory. Yes.

I forgot her name. Yes, shout out to you guys. Yeah. But yeah, it’s it’s going really well. The it’s crazy how many people show up to some of the shows with a point where you’re having to turn people away. I know. At some of them, but for a good cause, you know, laser pointers somewhere. There is. It’s for my cats.

Riley: OK, I was I was like, is those snipers something?

Becca: It’s a really like drunk.

Riley: Really? Really? That’s like. Yeah. Yeah. Well, I think did we cover most everything you want to talk about? I was going to say, we could talk about a lot of other stuff.

And I just want to make sure. I mean, I think that’s good. I mean, I talked about like, I mean, who I am like, I’m a music lover. I have a history of loving music, like I became a musician in the fucking seventh grade. If you read it against my will. So my parents were just like, you’re going to play the saxophone. I was like, no. And they’re like, actually, I really fucking enjoy doing this.

Becca: And this is awesome. And holy fuck, I want to do everything about music. So then that’s just how the cookie crumbles of that. But yeah, I have a lot that I hope for in the future and a lot that I want to be and want to do. Like I am now open to drumming for other local musicians.

Yeah. For studio sessions or live bands. I do have the right to turn away for shows and everything. I unfortunately had to turn away a show that was happening this weekend just because to protect my mental health, because it’s also Wednesday.

Yeah, it’s Wednesday shows Friday. Holy fuck, my mental health would be crazy if I took on that extra stress. Yeah, because I got so much I had to do this weekend. We’re playing another show on Saturday. So exactly.

Riley: And I have a long practice in my other band the following day, plus I have work two jobs. So it’s a lot. But yeah, that’s kind of kind of my thing is like, I just want to be a part of the community and be a kind of a shining example because if I don’t do who’s going to do it? And like I want to leave a mark here in Burlington and kind of like be one of those people that people can look up to. Make. OK, we know that she’s. You know that she’s a good one. So.

Becca: Right. While you are a good one. Yeah. OK, so safety pin shows on Instagram. Safety pin shows at Gmail dot com. Yep. And that’s pretty much it.

Riley: Like Instagram and yeah, I mean, if you’re looking for a drummer, I’m not looking. I’m not interested in being a drummer for a band right now. Two bands is enough. I’m like possibly a third band later on, but like that’s a completely different story.

Yeah, I won’t even go into. But yeah, so I’m not looking for a new song, but I’m looking to just if you need just drummer for something, like send me tracks and I can like play for something. I can be on an album of something. I can play on a song.

Like I just want to help out and do as much as possible because my goal in life is to become a session musician. Right. So and that’s whenever I can get that available.

Becca: So did you want to plug your personal Instagram or just hit you up through?

Riley: Sure, I will plug my personal Instagram. I got to remember what my name is.

Becca: Say these Riley and the Fox.

Riley: Yeah, Riley and the Fox is my Instagram. Riley Ray Burridge is my full name and Ray is about R.A .E. But yeah. If you need a drummer, please reach out to me there.

Riley and the Fox. Besides that, if you need bands to play, I’m going to use the time when I reach out, shout out my bands. Valerie Falls, we’re like an Altspunk, Alts Indie kind of band. Well, we’ve been around for quite a few years. We’re actually going on tour later this year. Five years. Oh, no, it’s I mean, I don’t know. I think it actually has almost been fucking five years.

Becca: Yeah, it’s getting there. Probably four years, I would say, accurate when Dan joined. Um, but yeah, I’d say if you hit us up, if you don’t know who we are and you want to play with us, I’m the book, I’m the booking agent and manager. As well as like follow us. We got a lot of cool music. Um, we’re all going to have a album out sometime this year. We’re working on new songs right now.

Then we’re here to kill. We’re going to have an album out hopefully this fall. Hopefully, some more shows catch us at some more shows that we’re here to kill for Instagram. But yeah, if you want to book us, message us, we’d love to play. Well, fun. So say we’re grunge slash every other genre.

Riley: Yeah, we’re a little grunge every other genre and we’re political, which is the thing. Well, very anti-fascist, very fuck everything. Fuck you if you’re trying to hurt somebody.

Becca: Yeah, it’s good baseline for it.

Riley: Let’s say we’re here to kill. So yeah, but yeah. Safety pin safety pin shows its good set and see where this could lead off to lay it down. So yeah, but yeah, if you want to play odd files and want to play with some cool bands. Reach out to me. I would love to get more people involved.

Becca: Awesome. Thank you so much, Riley. Thank you for having me. For MonttTalks.com forward slash 63. I will have your stuff linked. I will have posts embedded. We’ll have transcript this whole thing for SEO purposes. Cool. Thank you all for listening. If you made it to the end, have a great day. This has been fun.

Riley: Yeah, it’s been really fun. Bye. Bye.