MEET YOUR MAKER: Mike Tolan
Anna Blumenthal
Mike Tolan is like our fairy godfather, if that was a thing. While our shop was closed because of, well, you know, Mike was putting together kits so we could all build pedals from home (no easy task). He was managing everyone’s building schedule, coordinating pedal kit pickups and dropoffs and assigning different pedals and production stages to different people - basically, it was like herding a group of 50 feral cats. Every day. And he showed no signs of the massive freakout/meltdown that I would certainly have if I were in his position. He acted cool as a cucumber like he always does. In fact, everytime we had a video call with him, he was smiling. He looked happy. He still does. What a man of mystery. We’d all be dead without this guy.
Role at EarthQuaker?
Production Manager
How long have you been at EarthQuaker?
Five years.
What’s a typical (non-quarantine) work day for you like?
Organize daily production, support the production team, wire, test and repair pedals, make lame puns that probably secretly infuriate the younger millennials, occasionally go on a music-related rant that I am embarrassed about for the weeks or months that follow. Talk about pedals. Listen to everyone talk about podcasts that I don't listen to.
What’s your favorite thing about working at EarthQuaker?
The EQD family.
What instruments do you play, and what bands are you in?
Guitar mostly. Talons', Superstorms, Six Parts Seven.
What’s on your board right now?
TU-2, Arrows, Speaker Cranker, DM-2, El Cap, Dispatch Master, Pulse Machine.
First pedal you owned?
Roktek Distortion, then DOD Tek 4.
What band would you sign a deal with the devil to play in?
Sonic Youth in 1986.
Best concert you ever saw?
Godspeed You! Black Emperor (with Will Oldham/Mick Turner opening) at a church in Baltimore in 2000. Party of Helicopters/Milemarker at the Cave in Dover in 2002. Prefuse 73/Four Tet/Manitoba/John Herndon at the old Grog Shop.
Favorite Ohio city, after Akron?
Montrose
Pre-EarthQuaker job?
Bakery Manager at Whole Foods.
Favorite band?
Favorite podcast?
Still listen to the radio.
Favorite book?
Favorite movie?
Really like Werner Herzog, the movies too, not just the docs.
Favorite TV show?
Seinfeld
Coolest skill, besides pedal building?
Mostly just pedals. Generally like to try to fix things.
Favorite holiday?
I like Thanksgiving now that I don't work at a grocery store.
Do you have a pet?
No pets, just a human child.
Dumbest thing you ever bought?
Every dumb meal, snack, treat, CD, LP, drink, etc that I ever bought when I could have been saving for the pandemic. Also, 65k of grad school.
Best Halloween costume you ever wore?
Tube dude
Best beauty tip?
Don't wash your legs in the shower.
Favorite EarthQuaker pedal?
Quarantine survival tips?
Open the door or window and take deep breaths and remember that the virus isn't everywhere and you're probably going to be OK. Also, make drone music for yourself and don't pretend like you have to generate some giant artistic project right now because shit is insane and surviving this is enough.
