Local Music Shapes Culture

Alison Christoff
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  • Music Interviews
  • Updated Weekly

Local Music Shapes Culture is a podcast about creativity, self-expression, and the stories that bring local music and art scenes to life. Rooted in underground art spaces, each episode explores the personal journeys of individuals shaping artistic communities. Through reflections, interviews, and untold experiences with musicians, artists, and community members, it’s about finding your voice and sharing it with the world. New episodes every Sunday on Substack, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music—make your mark through artistic expression. alisonchristoff.substack.com

  1. 09/12/2025

    Community-Built Art Spaces with Nick Witten

    It’s here, all. I finally edited it. The last episode of Local Music Shapes Culture. I’m sure Nick was scared his interview was the reason I stopped cold turkey haha. Nick is a visual artist and teacher based out of Indianapolis, Indiana. After attending art grad school near Detroit and moving back to Indianapolis, Nick and his partner Danielle opened a DIY art gallery right out of their own home. Every month, the home was completely barren aside from art on the walls and gallery food offerings. This art space they ran, Sugar Space, lasted about a year. But their friend who started a gallery around the same time - Storage Space - is still up and running and hosts art shows every month. Nick and I talk about the importance of having spaces for new and up-and-coming artists to showcase their work in a world where artists face many barriers to entry. We also request a Hamms sponsorship. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alisonchristoff.substack.com

    Community-Built Art Spaces with Nick Witten

  2. 08/24/2025

    The Art of DJing with Jess

    In a belated second to last episode of Local Music Shapes Culture, I sit down with my dear friend Jess to talk about her unique journey coming from a Brazilian family, growing up with Indy punk culture, and finding fulfillment in DJing. I kid you not that these last two episodes are my favorite and I have been putting off editing them. Jess offers a unique perspective on the Indy music scene as someone who grew up in a Brazilian family and stumbled into the punk scene while learning the ropes of DJing. She's been in the bands Shame Thugs, Dove, Sonia, and Cocors before transitioning to full-time DJing. Jess is a real one and is not afraid to speak her mind. She knows her talent and hopes for others to embrace learning DJing on their own terms. She's a strong believer that guiding yourself cultivates a unique perspective. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alisonchristoff.substack.com

    The Art of DJing with Jess

  3. 05/22/2025

    ⚠️Podcast Announcement⚠️ | Local Music Shapes Culture

    Hello lovely local music fans! Local Music Shapes Culture is going on indefinite hiatus after the next two episodes ❤️ I will still be online but focusing on other projects I am likely starting a different podcast soon, and I have not decided if I am going to start a new Substack publication for it or publish it on this one. If the latter happens, feel free to stick around. My Substack URL is my name, alisonchristoff.substack.com, so I am inclined to keep whatever’s next on the same Substack publication,but different RSS feed (this is not relevant to you if you do not watch/listen on Substack). Would love to stay in touch with whatever comes Xoxo Alison Christoff This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alisonchristoff.substack.com

    ⚠️Podcast Announcement⚠️ | Local Music Shapes Culture

  4. 05/13/2025

    Community, Catharsis, and Creative Expression with Max Denari of DRLN

    Welcome to Local Music Shapes Culture! A podcast based in Indianapolis exploring the local music scene and the culture surrounding it. This week, I invited my friend Max Denari onto the show to discuss his long-standing presence in the local scene. In this episode, Max shares how being involved in music has provided both community and catharsis. Our convo gets into the challenge of staying authentic in an era where social media and algorithmic playlists have transformed how we discover and consume music. Max offers candid thoughts on everything from the authenticity of digital music to the shrinking DIY venue landscape in Indianapolis. He also teases here his new DRLN music coming this year (hopefully) after a two-year release hiatus !! Join us for our conversation exploring what it means to make art for art’s sake when everything around us demands constant engagement and instant gratification. Most importantly, take Max’s advice: get outside, support your community, and remember to listen to albums all the way through. Connect with Max: Instagram Follow DRLN: Instagram Listen to DRLN: Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music Watch more Local Music Shapes Culture: YouTube | Substack Listen now on Spotify | Apple Music Follow me on Instagram | TikTok | Bluesky ⧉ Local Music Shapes Culture ⧉ is a reader-supported publication celebrates life in local music scenes, insights and resources on building community, and rock. Consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alisonchristoff.substack.com

    Community, Catharsis, and Creative Expression with Max Denari of DRLN

  5. 05/06/2025

    Collage and Conversation With jilly$100billy | Local Music Shapes Culture

    Hi y'all💞💞💞 This week on Local Music Shapes Culture, I have Jill "jilly$100billy" over to collage with me and talk about her music. Jill just released her first EP Carpet on April 26th – a five-song journey she compares to the five stages of grief through hybrid genres. We dive into Jill's inspiration behind the EP, discuss how her life experiences have shaped her as both a person and artist, and explore her desire to continue pursuing music-making and performing as a cathartic release. Throughout our conversation, we create collages, chat about everything from astrology to her plans for transforming a space with negative memories into something new, and reflect on how she's learning to trust that everything falls into place. Excuse the audio quality, I did not set up the room the best for mic placement :) Topics discussed: 00:00 - Intro to jilly$100billy and the sitch today 04:25 - The story behind Jill's EP "Carpet" 09:30 - How music creation helps process emotional pain 13:20 - Music influences and dynamic song structures 16:15 - Raccoons and transforming negative spaces 20:45 - What is your ideal day? 27:30 - Favorite live performances & future plans Connect with Jill: Instagram Listen to jilly$100billy: Spotify Watch more Local Music Shapes Culture: YouTube | Substack Listen now on Spotify | Apple Music Follow me on Instagram | TikTok | Bluesky ⧉ Local Music Shapes Culture ⧉ is a reader-supported publication celebrates life in local music scenes, insights and resources on building community, and rock. Consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alisonchristoff.substack.com

    Collage and Conversation With jilly$100billy | Local Music Shapes Culture

  6. 04/28/2025

    A Decade in Indy's Music Scene: Conversation with Tara Sue Stapleton | Local Music Shapes Culture

    Hello! This week on Local Music Shapes Culture, I sit down with Tara Sue Stapleton. Tara has been heavily engaged in the music scene of Indianapolis for over a decade, about as long as her band Sonora has been around. She discussed her additional music projects throughout the years, including a grindcore project she is starting that has its first show booked this spring. Tara and I discuss her experience playing tours with her band Sonora, and her journey performing at out-of-town shows. We dive into her personal process for booking tours and explore her recent decision to hire a booking agent who helped reduce the labor-intensive aspects of organizing a multi-city tour. Tara shares both the challenges and successes she's encountered while building Sonora's presence beyond Indianapolis. We also discuss her experience being autistic and the challenges she faced growing up with autism. Tara shares how the music scene has played a crucial role in helping her accept herself and embrace being neurodivergent, providing a space where she feels accepted and has found community that makes it easy for her to accept her differences. Topics Discussed: 00:00 - Intro to Tara and her bands Sonora and new grindcore project 01:36 - Tara's new band and guitar tunings 04:37 - Noise project "Bimbo Witch" during pandemic and virtual shows 09:39 - Band dynamics and importance of organization 12:39 - Evolution of Indianapolis music scene over a decade 16:53 - Sonora's sound evolution from shoegaze to post-hardcore 20:54 - Experience with hiring a booking agent 23:36 - Tour stories across the Midwest 28:15 - Autism diagnosis and finding acceptance in music 34:08 - Autism, identity and the DIY music community Connect with Tara on Instagram: Tara | Sonora Watch more Local Music Shapes Culture: YouTube | Substack Listen now on Spotify | Apple Music Follow me on Instagram | TikTok | Bluesky 💬 What would you like to see more of in future episodes? Let me know in the comments! Local Music Shapes Culture is a reader-supported publication celebrates life in local music scenes, insights and resources on building community, and rock. Consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alisonchristoff.substack.com

    A Decade in Indy's Music Scene: Conversation with Tara Sue Stapleton | Local Music Shapes Culture

  7. 04/20/2025

    The Art of Documentation: Maude Atlas on Photography, Art & Music Community | Local Music Shapes Culture

    This week on Local Music Shapes Culture I chat with Maude Atlas - a multi-medium artist who's been a fixture in our local scene through her painting, photography, and as the vocalist of the band Frizbee. Though Frizbee recently ended, Maude shares exciting news about their upcoming record "Sour Kisses" releasing May 9th through Noise Merchant and Painters Tapes. We dig into her journey from documenting shows as a photographer to taking the stage herself, the importance of all-women bands, and why she believes "a scene is only as good as the people who document it." Maude is leaving the Indy scene for Chicago soon – and we reflect on the evolution of Indy's music scene, the need for more DIY venues, and how Maude’s intuitive approach to art has helped her discover her identity. From house show memories at her house venue in Muncie, the Sauna, to spiritual connections in her paintings, we dive into the beautiful intersection of art, community, and personal growth Connect with Maude on Instagram What's your take on the importance of photographers and documentarians in your local scene? Watch more Local Music Shapes Culture: YouTube | Substack Listen now on Spotify | Apple Music Follow me on Instagram | TikTok | Bluesky Local Music Shapes Culture is a reader-supported publication celebrates life in local music scenes, insights and resources on building community, and rock. Consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alisonchristoff.substack.com

    The Art of Documentation: Maude Atlas on Photography, Art & Music Community | Local Music Shapes Culture

  8. 04/14/2025

    The Vulnerability Behind Great Music | Local Music Shapes Culture

    This week on Local Music Shapes Culture I have a conversation with Ron Record, who recently moved from the Fort Wayne music scene to Indianapolis. Ron is involved in several musical projects: * Roman New Time - Solo Project * Lunch Club - Indianapolis band with friends Jacob, Chuck, Brad, and Gus * Home Phone - A duo project with his friend Olivia in Fort Wayne In this podcast, Ron shares his insights from his various musical projects and discusses his unique experiences touring with his bands. We also discuss his experiences moving to Indianapolis and integrating with its local scene. Ron has an upcoming release with his solo project Roman New Time that is called "Your Autograph Man" through a German label called “110100100.global”. Follow him and his music projects on social media on Instagram: * Roman New Time * Homephone * Lunch Club Thank you all for listening! Subscribe to support my podcast & get notifications on upcoming episodes. Watch more Local Music Shapes Culture: YouTube | Substack Listen now on Spotify | Apple Music Follow me on Instagram | TikTok | Bluesky Local Music Shapes Culture is a reader-supported publication celebrates life in local music scenes, insights and resources on building community, and rock. Consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alisonchristoff.substack.com

    The Vulnerability Behind Great Music | Local Music Shapes Culture
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About

Local Music Shapes Culture is a podcast about creativity, self-expression, and the stories that bring local music and art scenes to life. Rooted in underground art spaces, each episode explores the personal journeys of individuals shaping artistic communities. Through reflections, interviews, and untold experiences with musicians, artists, and community members, it’s about finding your voice and sharing it with the world. New episodes every Sunday on Substack, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music—make your mark through artistic expression. alisonchristoff.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Alison Christoff
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Alison Christoff
  • Show Website
    Local Music Shapes Culture