riotnine! - Sound In The Signals Interview

I recently had the opportunity to interview riotnine!. We discussed writing and recording new EP ‘Death Before Detransition’, the meaning behind the artwork, their upcoming skate event, and more. Check it out below.

First, thanks for the interview.

Thank you for interviewing us!

You’re releasing your new EP ‘Death Before Detransition’ on June 2nd. Can you tell me about writing and recording the EP?

We wrote the songs over the course of the last 6 months, once we had a more finalized lineup as a band. The songs were written collaboratively, between Danny Calderon, Cleo Jackowick, and Ian Dutter. Lyrics were composed mostly by Danny, but were revised between both Danny and Cleo. Since both Danny and Cleo are trans, we decided to write the whole EP about trans struggles/trans resistance/trans joy. drummer Ian Dutter adds that dynamics are hugely important to this record. The difference in quiet melodies and chaotic noise illustrate the range of emotions we all feel, and the fluidity of how they change. We recorded the ep live with Evan at Red Shed Studios in Watertown, WI. All of the amps/drums were in one room together, and vocals were tracked separately at Cleo’s home in Riverwest.

What are some of the themes and lyrical influences for the EP?

The EP is all about trans existence, and the struggle and triumph of existing despite fascist opposition. Death Before Detransition means give me liberty or give me death. other lyrical themes are political isolation/erasure, coping with family transphobia, and how a silent majority is inherently oppressive and guilty. Danny’s lyrics were heavily inspired by contemporary hardcore/screamo acts such as Roman Candle, Cleo took more inspiration from local legends in snag.

How do you write songs? Do you usually start with a melody, lyrics, or music?

Usually we jam on different chord professions, and Danny often has notebooks full of poems, and most often he will pick a poem that suits the energy of the song, and modify the intricacies of the lyrics to fit the guitar, bass, and drum sounds.

Do you have a song that you’re most excited for people to hear? Why?

I think the most exciting song to show folks is the final track, titled skramzgender. It’s a 7 minute song about the frustrations of trans existence and the complacent majority of people who don’t care enough about trans rights to work against fascism in any capacity. The song references the death of eden knight, and features a noise section at the end. We think the song dissolving into chaos is a good representation of how we feel: sometimes we try to express ourselves coherently but emotions become so strong that we fall apart just trying to ask for our rights.

The artwork for the EP is really interesting. Who came up with the concept for it and and designed it? What’s the meaning behind it?

Cleo’s partner, whose artist name is naudiir, designed the flower artwork. They chose the snowdrop flower because snowdrops grow even in the coldest temperatures of spring. They represent defiance and and resistance against cold opposition. After designing the artwork digitally, naudiir cut the image into a block print, which was then printed, scanned, and re-colored digitally.

Can we expect a physical release for the EP? Is there any chance that you’ll release cassettes, CDs, or vinyl?

We might do a very limited run of cds, but currently we do not have the resources to do a larger bulk order. In the next few months, we hope to order tapes or cds in bulk.

You announced a benefit show as well as a skate sesh to coincide with the release of the EP. Can you tell me more about those events?

The skate event was done in collaboration with Clementine Skate, a local Milwaukee skate group that hosts events for queer and fem skaters. We collaborated with them because we wanted to make this EP fully about community. A skate event isn’t something we can really profit from, it’s just a way to bring people together. Skate and punk have always been so intertwined, we wanted to bring folks together and just enjoy camaraderie together. National DIY skatepark is a free outdoor space for people of all creeds to gather. It’s made by and for independent community skaters, who don’t benefit or profit from its construction or use. It’s all just giving back. The show is raising money for trans justice.

All the artists who are opening for us are getting paid, the sound engineer and the staff at Cactus Club are all getting paid, but every dollar more is being donated. This is riotnine’s show, but it’s not just about us: it’s about our community. Cactus Club is a queer-owned venue in Milwaukee’s bay view neighborhood, operated independently for over 25 years. It’s a small-medium capacity room which makes it perfect for locals and up-and-coming touring acts alike. Cactus Club’s ties with the queer community and punk scene made it the perfect location for our benefit show.