Kristin Thomson

Kristin Thomson is an American indie rock musician, former record label owner, activist, and non-profit director. From 1990-1997, Thomson, along with Jenny Toomey, ran the Simple Machines record label making it the first DC-based Punk label by run by women.

Biography

Record Label

Thomson left a position at the National Organization of Women in 1990 to co-lead the Simple Machines record label. She ran the label with partner Jenny Toomey until its closure in 1997. Simple Machines was the first self-made label in D.C. to be run by women. The label was initially based out of the Positive Force House in Arlington, but eventually relocated to another home in Arlington.[1]

Thomson and Toomey published four editions of the Simple Machine's Mechanics Guide, a booklet that 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.[2] The booklet sold over 2000 copies, which correlated with the significant uptick in the quantity of new, small record labels in the area.

Simple Machines had their own clothing line called Cog Wear, which sported their logo on different clothing items. Simple Machines ceased operations in 1997.[3]

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.[4] 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.[3]

Music

Around the same time they ran Simple Machines, Thomson and Toomey formed Tsunami, an indie rock band based out of Arlington, Virginia.[2][5][4] Tsunami released four albums between 1991 and 1997. 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.[3]

Recent Activities

As of 2022, Thomson is the nonprofit education, project, and research director for the Future of Music Coalition.[6][7][8] She lives Philadelphia with her husband, Brian Dilworth.[3]

References
  1. "'Something from Nothing': Stories of Punk in Arlington | ARLnow.com". ARLnow.com | Arlington, Va. local news. 2018-08-17. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. "Secret History: Tsunami's Deep End". DCist. Archived from the original on 2023-03-04. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  5. "The Numero Group Celebrates 20 Years Of Indie Rock Exhumation". spin.com.
  6. Sisario, Ben (2013-11-15). "Will Play for Health Care (at Least at One Music Event)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  7. "DIY Musicians––Alone Together – Music Business Journal". Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  8. Resnikoff, Paul (2013-10-29). "43% of Musicians In America Lack Any Form of Health Insurance..." Digital Music News. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
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