November 2004 - The High Octane Grrrrlzz of Big Heavy World

Burlington’s Big Heavy World is a non-profit organization

launched in the 1990’s by Jim Lockridge. A synopsis of its goals are:

to preserve the historical record of music originating in Vermont; to create economic opportunity for Vermont’s musicians; to develop community among the state’s musicians and their patrons; and to accomplish this mission in a substance-free environment that empowers and educates youth. Ambitious but impossible?

With smart, hip, energetic young volunteers such as Liz Hart, Nikki Lee, Alyssa Todd, and Jackie Wheel - ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE!

LIZ HART

Was 15 when she joined BHW. “I joined BHW because I wanted to work with music. I had been organizing Coffeehouses at my high school, but wanted to expand beyond the CVU community.”

“I was the video crew director. A typical ‘day at the ranch’ was usually sitting in front of the slower-than-death computer doing video editing.”

What was the funniest and/or most bizarre moment at BHW? “Oh man… there are too many. There have been some embarrassing moments caught on the web cam when it freezes.”

How did guys in bands react to you? “They usually think it’s really cool that a teenager works for a record label and it’s interesting working with them. They are very respectful.”

Why is this a good organization for teens to be involved in? “It breaks stereotypes. People don’t realize that a huge population of the musicians in the Burlington area are advocates of substance-free living. Working with music also gives you the opportunity to work with an array of diverse individuals, and to learn how to interact with the musicians professionally, which in turn teaches you necessary skills for later in life.”

“I am studying media at the University of Southern Maine. My experience at BHW has made me want to work with music and film, and I already know that it is something I am somewhat good at.”

What I’m most proud of doing while with BHW: Being recognized by the community as someone who helps bring music to others. Two summers ago I was asked to help with the organizing of a “Slam N’ Jam” music/poetry concert to raise money for the Hinesburg Recreation Center to build a skate park because people knew I worked with Big Heavy World. It was a good feeling, people recognized what I love to do and wanted me to help.

Two books I recommend: The Never Ending Story; it’s a good fantasy and the first half is almost exact to the movie. And Flawed Dogs by Berkeley Breathed. It is a children’s book, but he is an incredible Vermont artist and the book is all about being kind to animals, even if they are different.

If you have a tattoo, what image(s) did you choose and why? “A turtle, with the Celtic symbol for the three stages of your life inside its shell, because I went to Hawaii and had an incredible growing and learning experience there. I think that the whole trip and its purpose (I was babysitting) helped shape me into the person I am. Therefore, it was a major changing point in my life.”

If you dare, name the location of all piercings you have – “3 in each ear, and I used to have my navel pierced.”

What are your thoughts about wearing clothes with corporate logos? “People do what they want. I don’t really care.”

“If I could get together for a conversation with any person from history it would be Edgar Allen Poe, because he was supposedly crazy but I think he was a genius. I love his works, and also love having conversations with extreme characters. I would like to meet him in a coffee shop to increase the poetic atmosphere.”

“I am most definitely voting. I don’t want to push my opinions on others, but I don’t like Bush and would like to see him out of office.”

One word to describe yourself that is the result of having been involved with BHW: That’s a hard one… Sarcastic? Aware, involved. I don’t know… ha ha.

NIKKI LEE

Was 17 when she joined BHW in 2003. “I was looking for an internship for school and I heard about Jim and BHW through a band manager I was talking with.”

“I ran the ‘paparazzi’ section of the website, and helped work on First Night and random projects. A typical day at the ranch for me was uploading or sorting photos and doing whatever else Jim might ask of me. I worked with some kick ass female show photographers. These girls will climb into a deadly mosh pit to get a great shot.”

What was the funniest and/or most bizarre moment? “Well this one time Jim.... nope, its too gross. Haha.”

How did guys in bands react to you? “I was the girl with food — they loved me.”

Are there still more guys doing music and women cheering them on? Why is this? What’s needed to get girls to pick up a bass and learn it and go onstage? “Well it’s not really fair to say that girls don’t already do that. There are a lot of bands that feature female members that just aren’t really local. Check out Murder by Death. They have a female cello player who is just amazing. I’m sure there are even local bands featuring girls. I think it is still dominated by males, but the girls you see are just as hardcore about it as the guys.”

Why is this a good organization for teens to be involved in? “First and foremost, the people are amazing. Everyone is highly motivated and tons of different projects are going on at once. It’s such a blizzard of cool ideas and projects. You want to start a project and head it up, go for it.”

“My plan right now is to survive college. BHW lets you explore your own self-motivation. No one is going to bitch at you to get things done. You have to take care of yourself, which is a huge part of college.”

Are you still involved with BHW? “Well I currently live in Boston, so I’m out of the loop. But I’m SERIOUSLY encouraging Jim to stretch BHW down this way.”

What I’m most proud of doing while with BHW: “Heading up the paparazzi crew and working on the hospitality crew for First Night was a great accomplishment.”

What was your favorite musician/band to work with, and why? “Any of the bands that played at First Night last year. It was such an awesome experience. Everyone knew we weren’t there to be rock stars, just to have a great time.”

The book I recommend is House of Leaves – It’s twisted and takes a lot of concentration.

Currently, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Lagwagon, and Lost City Angels are in my cd player.

If you have a tattoo, what image(s) did you choose and why? “Mine was designed for me by a very dear friend and its meaning is disclosed to only an exclusive few. It’s not really anything, as it’s an original design.”

If you dare, name the location of all piercings you have. “Eyebrow, two in each ear and navel. Nothing too exciting.”

What are your thoughts about wearing clothes with corporate logos? “If you want to support it, go for it. Just make sure you know what you’re advertising.”

My hero is Jim Lockridge. If I could get together for a conversation with any person from history, it would be Rod Serling. Come on, who doesn’t get a little creeped out by The Twilight Zone or Night Gallery? He created something that became an everlasting pop culture reference. Where we would meet? Hmm... some place well-lit so I wouldn’t get too freaked out.

“I plan on voting. Everyone should, even if it’s just for the lesser of two evils.”

One word to describe yourself that is the result of having been involved with BHW: Better.

ALYSSA TODD

Was 20 when she joined BHW in June 2003. “I was going to school at UVM when I found out about BHW through a friend who used the website to get information about upcoming shows. I got involved when I found out Jim Lockridge was looking for volunteers and thought it would be an interesting opportunity to get more involved with the local music scene and discover new bands to listen to. For the first summer I volunteered I was residing in Rutland and doing all of my work on the computer in the photos section of the BHW website. Since Sept 2003 I have been working in the office in Burlington.”

“I have been involved in several different projects: getting pictures of VT artists onto the BHW website; last fall I reorganized and updated our online guide of Vermont Artists. I still do some maintenance on the bandguide and add new bands as they float in. I was involved in the organization of the BigHeavyBuzzFest at last year’s Burlington First Night celebration, and will be involved again this year as well. This semester I have been working on some updates in the Vermont Music Library (located in the BHW office) and am currently helping to organize a BHW benefit show at Contois Auditorium in November.”

“A typical day at the office for me involves a briefing immediately after my arrival by Jim with information about where all the other ongoing projects currently stand. Then, if there isn’t any emergency task that needs doing, I sit down in front of the phone or computer and continue on with whatever project I’m currently involved in. With my schedule this semester I haven’t been able to put as many hours in at the office as I would like, so I try to stay on task for the short time I’m there.”

What was the funniest and/or most bizarre moment? “I think the most bizarre moment was at a crew BBQ we had this past fall, when Jim insisted he had never eaten a s’more before. Need I say more?”

How did guys in bands react to you? “I have never really gauged the reaction of most guys in bands to me. Anyone I have spoken to in the context of BHW has taken me seriously and treated me professionally.”

Are there still more guys doing music and women cheering them on? Why is this? What’s needed to get girls to pick up a bass and learn it and go onstage? “I think that there are still many more guys in bands than girls. I don’t really have any ideas as to why this is, except maybe it is a self-awareness issue. I think girls tend to be a lot more self-conscious then guys and being in the spotlight in a band is a pretty frightening notion to most. I think there are a lot more musically inclined girls out there then we realize, the key is to create a welcoming atmosphere where they can go and play and not be criticized for what they are wearing or how they style their hair. So many female ‘musical role models’ aren’t known for their great lyrics or amazing voice, but the stunts they pull and the clothes they wear to awards shows. If we had more female musical roles models like Ani Difranco, Chantal Kreviazuk, Amanda Palmer (of The Dresden Dolls) and Melora Creager (of Rasputina), young girls would become more aware that there are many different types of beauty, and many types of talent.”

Why is this a good organization for teens to be involved in? “I am very fortunate in that my parents have always been supportive of anything I had a desire to get involved with, as long as it wasn’t dangerous or illegal!

I would argue that for many young people, music is a way to stay away from two things that are often associated with rock music — sex and drugs. Music provides an outlet for youth that is constructive and positive. There is also a very strong straight-edge movement in the Burlington rock/punk/hardcore scene, meaning that there are many kids who have openly declared their personal promise to not use drugs, drink alcohol or engage in promiscuous activities. I can’t imagine many parents would find that to be a bad thing for their children. As far as BHW as an organization, since I started working here I have seen many kids really take charge on daunting tasks that in many organizations would be reserved for adults. The youth do everything from track down bands and artists for compilation discs to write to large corporations and ask for donations for upcoming events. Jim (Lockridge) is an excellent person to work with youth because he gives them guidance when they ask for it but never tells them how something should be done. The teens figure things out on their own and in the end they have learned more and have more self confidence than they would have if what needed to be done was worked out for them.”

“I am in my final year at UVM in the social work department. I am incredibly fortunate in that I already have a job lined up working for the state in the Dept. for Children and Families (formerly known as SRS). I would like to eventually go back to school and get my Masters degree in Social Work. I also want to move to New York City and spend a few years working in Child Protection there for the experience of ‘big city’ life. I think that BHW did a lot of me to prepare me for my future because it has challenged me to try new things. It has also taught me that I have the strength to complete any task, no matter how daunting, if I put my mind to it.”

“What I’m most proud of while with BHW was getting up the nerve to go to the office for the first time. That sounds sort of silly, but I felt very out of my element as I was walking to the office for the first time. I knew very little about the technical aspects of music and shows and CD’s and really didn’t know much about BHW either. I struggle with pushing myself out of my comfort zone and that first night at the office I was definitely freaking out about what would be expected of me. Thankfully, Jim and the crew were awesome and made me feel at home.”

What was your favorite musician/band to work with, and why? “I don’t do a lot of direct work with bands, but My Revenge and 5 Minutes Hate have always been great to BHW, as well as the now defunct Fight Back.”

Who is a local woman musician to watch for? “I’d be on the lookout for Steph Pappas. She has a really great sound and is a wonderful woman. She has some CD’s out and anyone looking for something energetic to rock out to should definitely check her out.”

I’m going to give you two book recommendations, because I can’t choose just one. The first is Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahnuik. It’s a very bizarre read, but it really made me think a lot about being female and the media portrayal of femininity and the lengths some people will go to when they feel they aren’t being heard. The second is Illusions by Richard Bach. This book was recommended to me by a close friend, and it’s beautifully written and generally amazing. It had a lot of personal meaning to me and it deals with something a lot of people my age are questioning.

‘Leaving Despair’ by Duane Carleton is probably the most beautiful, honest album I have ever listened to. He really captures life in semi-rural Vermont. With all the crap you can hear on the radio today it is refreshing to hear someone sing from their heart.

I don’t have any tattoos at this time. I have 3 lobe piercings in each ear, and an industrial ear piercing in my right ear. Not very exciting eh?

I think that corporate logos on clothing take away from our individuality. I also think that, unfortunately, we are often judged, especially when we are young, by what we wear and not who we are. Clothing with prominant logos only fuels that fire.

I would love to meet my great-grandmother on my mother’s father’s side. She was a Polish immigrant, and the only story I have ever heard about her is that she once killed a rooster with her bare hands when it tried to attack her grandson (my uncle). I can’t imagine her being anything but an amazingly interesting lady. I’d love to meet her in the house she grew up in in Poland, and get an idea of what life was like for her and what shaped her as a person.

I have already filled out my absentee ballot (I am voting in my home town so I can vote on the school budget) and just need to put a stamp in it and send it out. I think that everyone out there who is of age needs to educate themselves and vote in this critical election.

One word to describe yourself that is the result of having been involved with BHW: intrepid.

JACKIE WHEEL

Was 17 when she joined BHW in her senior year of high school (2003). “I joined BHW simply by placing a phone call to Jim and then going to check it out one Tuesday night. I was interested in running my own label and I thought it would be a good inside look at what that was like.”

“My job at BHW was to work with the label crew on things like First Night and compilations. It was an unpaid internship. A typical day at BHW was hanging with Jim, Nina and Pat (the two other components of the label crew) trying to get work done and not be distracted by Buckey (Jim’s awesome greyhound).”

Men tend to be more willing to embarrass themselves than girls are. Girls just need to have support to tell them they can do it and that it may take some humility at first (say at performances), but I bet if they get up on stage once they’ll fall in love with it.

I hope to major in public relations and minor in music industry. BHW definitely prepared me because after working in a real label environment, I know that it is still something that interests me even with all the work it takes.

The thing I’m most proud of doing is helping to give a push to the compilations we’ve been trying to make for a while, also helping put on the BigHeavyBuzzFest at First Night was a lot of work and a real success.

One of my favorite local bands, Blind Luck music, is from central southern Vermont, I’d highly recommend them.

The book I recommend is A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers, because it is one of the funniest, saddest, realistic and best books I have ever read.

Well, I don’t have a CD player at school, all I have is an MP3 player with all my music on it, but playing right now is The Shins – Chutes Too Narrow.

I don’t have any tattoos. I have my lobes pierced (only one hole) and my cartilage (only one hole on my left side, although I am looking to get 1 or 2 more right below it).

I don’t care if people wear clothes with corporate logos, it is their choice to be associated with that place and to be judged like we all know they will be. I wear corporate name brand clothes, but I don’t ever display it, I usually stick to band t-shirts if I’m going to be promoting anything.

My grandmothers and my mom were probably the most influential and positive women in my life. As well as my sister, who is younger and already so much cooler than I’ll ever be. I also look up to Gretta Cohn (cellist for Cursive) and Sarah Balliet (cellist for Murder by Death) because they both do what I always dreamed of doing which is playing a stringed instrument in a predominately male rock band.

If I could get together with any person from history, I would meet my dead grandfather because he died before I was born and I think it would be nice to meet him.

Yes, I am voting and all I really have to say is everybody should vote because it doesn’t hurt you to do it — but it may hurt you not to.

One word to describe yourself that is the result of having been involved with BHW: Wiser.