Roger Romero is a man of the sax. During his solos, the twenty-six-year old goes into a zone, becomes a part of the soundscape. His tight dark curls form a tidy mop that springs as he gesticulates, his horn like another limb of his body. Behind his clear-framed glasses his eyes are shut tight. His…
Read More
Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” Here is a man that is famous for his 19th century philosophical musings on nihilism, yet many don’t know that he suffered great pain and mental illness throughout his life, severe migraines…
Read More
Kechi is a smile. Kechi is a laugh. She is a voice, a lyric, a message. She shares hope, demonstrates strength, and manifests bravery. Her charisma emanates from her core like an infectious melody. Around her, you will sense ease, peace, and tranquility. Once you’ve met her for two seconds, the last thing you will…
Read More
Her voice is soft but confident in the way of a purposeful young woman on the cusp of adulthood, “I’ve always known that I definitely have to do something with music.” That’s seventeen-year-old Maleena Dominick, the fresh-faced, pink-haired bassist that holds down the groove for Pittsburgh-based power-pop rock band, Chip & The Charge Ups. Her…
Read More
Stunning vocalist Katie Simone joins Petticoat Rule to talk about her insane schedule as a full time working musician, splitting her time between original solo work, weekend cover gigs, weddings, coaching, and, of course, practicing… as well as a bit of fun thrown in at open stages and karaoke! She also wows us with her…
Read More
Transcendent duo Donny Donovan and Carolyn Hilliard join Petticoat Rule to talk about their spiritual journey crafting the sound of their dark-wave indie band, Dinosoul. We also hear about developing a relationship with management, their interest in promoting sober spaces for their shows, and the power of setting intention. SPOTIFY: The Dinosoul Playlist CREDITS: Intro/Outro…
Read More
Radio host Cindy Howes from 91.3 WYEP stops by Petticoat Rule to talk about how she became an influential woman in broadcasting, the effects of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and about the art of interviewing. We also hear about her best celebrity encounters (and near-encounters!), as well as her early days as an award…
Read More
Jazz singer-songwriter Chloe Wiecz joins Petticoat Rule to share a beautiful story about her emotional and spiritual journey through musicianship, and her extraordinary mentor experience with the late Geri Allen. She is also hilarious, as you will hear all about her hot dog sculptures, sick rhymes, and that one time she resourcefully used a stick…
Read More
Singer-songwriter Morgan Erina joins Petticoat Rule to talk about the ups and downs of mental health issues and musicianship; her muses Sinead O’Connor, Delores O’Riordan, and Chester Bennington; and how she’s really an old-school romantic at heart. We also hear a brand new song, her first in a period of writer’s block, and she invites…
Read More
Pop songwriter Casey Hanner from the Pittsburgh-based band Donora joins Petticoat Rule to talk about the experience of being on the Rostrum Records label, hearing her tunes in movie and TV placements, and being a new mom and releasing a new album at the same time. We also chat about her techniques for teaching vocals,…
Read More
Hip-hop artivist Blak Rapp MADUSA joins Petticoat Rule explaining her music’s political themes against mass incarceration, white supremacy, and systemic racism, as well as giving insight into the challenges of life as a female hip-hop artist. She also shares her thought-provoking perspectives on spirituality, giving back, and unapologetic expression. :::CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO BLAK…
Read More
Saxophonist extraordinaire Abby Gross joins Petticoat Rule to share with us the ‘glamour’ of road life with soul-rock band The Commonheart as well as her passion for music education, and gives insight into what its like to write a song about something meaningful without using any lyrics. We also touch on the challenges of work-life…
Read More
Jazz singer Avi Diamond joins Petticoat Rule to reveal how the experience of getting a degree in music therapy has shaped her songwriting and her life. Along the way, she gives us insight into the process of professionally training as a vocal performer while demystifying the domain of music therapy, its purpose, its procedures, and…
Read More
Classically trained dancer Anna Thompson of the unique dance-plus-electronica duo Slowdanger joins Petticoat Rule to share her journey of self-expression by developing musicianship to enhance her avant-garde dance movement. We also learn what the gender dynamics of the dance world are like, and about how she bucks the system while making body movement work accessible…
Read More
Busy lead vocalist Jocelyn Rent joins Petticoat Rule to talk about balancing her creative roles in Pittsburgh-based bands Anjroy, The Rents and Bachelor Boys with her family life as a mother of two little ones. We also talk about techniques for handling ‘mansplaining’ and the complex relationship dynamics that arise amongst individuals working together in…
Read More
Lady drummer Karen Dietrich of Pittsburgh-based indie rock band Essential Machine joins Petticoat Rule to discuss how she has uniquely integrated her passions for music, writing, and family into one full creative life. We also talk about the struggles, anxieties, and joys associated with maintaining a creative life throughout motherhood, as well as her journey…
Read MoreCultural folk fusion artists Mimi Jong and Sue Powers from the spellbinding trio AppalAsia visit Petticoat Rule, inspiring us as two very different women finding inspiriting joy in their unique collaboration. We learn about their life's journeys through colorful stories of learning erhu in Indonesia, self-teaching guitar to play with the Girl Scouts, writing songs…
Read MoreBelting songstress Addi Twigg from Pittsburgh-based pop-soul rock band The Telephone Line joins Petticoat Rule to discuss her need to let the songs out, her fervent feminism, and how she balances contentment with achievement. She also describes her comedienne roots, how she came to meet Seth Meyers, and the catharsis of writing her anti-harassment song,…
Read MoreAuthentic and compassionate, Maura Jacob of Pittsburgh's doom pop punk band Action Camp steps into the studio to chat about how she fights for the vulnerable through her music and her social work. Her enlightening conversation also touches on her fascination with examples of social activism through science fiction and pop culture,as well as introspective…
Read MoreVocalist Valentina Raffaelli and bassist Molly Hebert-Wilson from the Philadelphia-based folk band Sparkle Pony stop by the Petticoat Rule studio to share their many motivating strategies for overcoming one's inner critic while inspiring us with their down-to-earth dedication to their craft. We also hear the rich stories behind the songs they share with us, about…
Read MoreMusic journalist Melanie Stangl joins Petticoat Rule, sharing many inspirational productivity and writing tips while discussing her journey to reporting for the entertainment industry. We hear her own music as well, and hear her speak on her priority of maintaining journalistic integrity in spite of societal expectations that women accommodatingly 'play nice'. Don't miss out…
Read MoreJazz chanteuse and cultural icon Phat Man Dee joins Petticoat Rule to talk about activism through music, respecting history through your creations, and learning to embrace your uniqueness. We hear all about her path to her weirdness, the many influences and teachers she's had along the way, and her goals to contribute positivity to society…
Read MoreLadyfest Pittsburgh organizers Steph Flati and Jen Sabol stop by the Petticoat Rule studio to talk about their experiences putting together the weekend-long festival celebrating under-represented musicians. We also hear about their bands The Lopez and Brazilian Wax, overcoming vulnerability in performance, how to take it to the next level with a DIY attitude, and…
Read MorePowerhouse vocalist Kiki Brown from The Buckle Downs joins Petticoat Rule to talk about how she balances her many roles including musician, mother, on-the-job problem-solver, vocal coach, soon-to-be wife, and black woman in the genre of rock and roll. Super engaging and inspiring, after listening to Kiki describe her life's path you'll leave the episode…
Read MoreCountry singer-songwriter Molly Alphabet joins Petticoat Rule to talk about her experiences as a woman playing Western music in the North. We hear about Groundhog Day, writing for film, growing up in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of East Lawrenceville, collaboration with her musician husband Chet Vincent, her songwriting and musical development habits, and her amazing gig…
Read More