Kristin Thomson
Kristin Thomson is an American indie rock musician, former record label owner, women's activist, and non-profit director.
Biography
Record Label
In 1990, Thomson joined the Simple Machines record label, and co-ran the label with partner Jenny Toomey until its closure in 1997. She worked as an organizer for the National Organization of Women during her early years, but left the organization to pursue Simple Machines full-time. Simple Machines was the first self-made label in D.C. that had ever been run by women. As a duo, Thomson and Toomey published four editions of the Simple Machine's Mechanics Guide. This booklet attempted to demystify the process of giving music a physical form, and helped aspiring artists learn how to release their records as cassettes, CDs, or any other physical form that was prominent at the time.[1] Throughout her time working with Simple Machines, Thomson helped to organize female-oriented events and workshops with the other female characters and figures in the D.C. Punk scene. These events spread awareness about several different issues, and made a significant impact on the lives of thousands of women as well as the D.C. Punk scene as a whole. She initially ran the label out of the Positive Force House in Arlington, but eventually relocated to a different house in Arlington once the label became self-sufficient and successful. Their Mechanics Guide booklet sold over 2000 copies, which correlated with the significant uptick in the quantity of new, small record labels in the area. Thomson's label had widespread impact and influence in many different sectors; the label even had their own clothing line called Cog Wear, which sported their logo on different clothing items. Unfortunately, the label dispersed in 1997 when the duo lost interest in the high-stress business atmosphere of running the label.[2]
Influence
Throughout her time working with Simple Machines, Thomson helped to organize female-oriented events and workshops with the other female characters and figures in the D.C. Punk scene. These events spread awareness about several different issues, and made a significant impact on the lives of thousands of women as well as the D.C. Punk scene as a whole. She initially ran the label out of the Positive Force House in Arlington, but eventually relocated to a different house in Arlington once the label became self-sufficient and successful. Their Mechanics Guide booklet sold over 2000 copies, which correlated with the significant uptick in the quantity of new, small record labels in the area. Thomson's label had widespread impact and influence in many different sectors; the label even had their own clothing line called Cog Wear, which sported their logo on different clothing items. Unfortunately, the label dispersed in 1997 when the duo lost interest in the high-stress business atmosphere of running the label.[2]
Music
Around the same time as the conception of Simple Machines, Thomson and Toomey formed Tsunami, an indie rock band based out of Arlington, Virginia.[1] Tsunami released music between 1991 and 1997, releasing four albums together. The band performed on the second stage at Lollapalooza in 1991, a large moment in the band's proliferation which led to their audience becoming more widespread.[2]
Recent Activities
Today, Thomson is the nonprofit education, project, and research director for the Future of Music Coalition. She moved to Philadelphia with her husband, Brian Dilworth.[2]
References
- ^ a b Marcus, Sara (2010). Girls to the front : the true story of the Riot grrrl revolution (First ed.). New York. ISBN 978-0-06-180636-0. OCLC 526068974.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ a b c d Andersen, Mark (2009). Dance of days : two decades of punk in the nation's capital. Mark Jenkins (Fourth ed.). New York: Akashic Books. ISBN 978-1-933354-99-6. OCLC 437084126.