Indy's newest buzz band Neon Love Life offers some neon love...
Sharon Rickson isn’t content to bring the rock herself. She is dedicated to mentoring others to do the same. One-fourth of the new Indy chick rock act Neon Love Life, Rickson is using her talents to launch Girls Rock! Indianapolis — an initiative to, well, it’s best to let her explain.
“Girls Rock Indy is ... dedicated to building positive self-esteem and empowering young ladies between the ages of 9 and 16 through music and instrument instruction,” Rickson said.
“The girls form bands, and they have a variety of workshops that are musically geared like ‘zine making or silk screening. There’s a big emphasis on DIY stuff. We talk about self-esteem and self-worth in an all-female environment, so it’s a really great program.”
After working with a similar group in Seattle, Rickson moved to Indianapolis and began to lay the foundation to start a group here.
“What we’re doing in Indianapolis is a weeklong camp this year and then we’re working on a pilot after-school programming type of thing as soon as we can gain funding,” Rickson said.
Neon Love Life came together via local friendships and connections.
“(Drummer) Tasha Blackman and I have been friends and have been jamming and playing together for a couple years here and there,” Rickson said. “We’ve always talked about having a band.”
“Upon my return, my buddies told me, ‘You need to meet Ashley Plummer, who used to play in the Peggy Sues.’”
The three started practicing and putting songs together, and they brought in Lindsay Manfredi, formerly of We’re Not Mexicans. Manfredi’s band often had played with Rickson’s former band, Small Arms Fire.
Neon Love Life lets all four women work toward their music goals while embracing a good cause.
“We figured if we’re starting a nonprofit, we should do the whole ‘practice what we preach’ thing,” said Rickson.
“We’re just a bunch of crazy rock and roll chicks who like to hang out, drink whiskey, play music and go to shows and jump around. It’s great.”
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