Making a Scene Presents

Making a Scene Brings you an interview with Brad "Guitar" Wilson Brad “Guitar” Wilson is quickly becoming a standout name in the modern blues rock scene, known for his fiery guitar work, soulful vocals, and magnetic stage presence. With a sound that blends classic influences and contemporary energy, Wilson continues to build a loyal fanbase across the U.S. and beyond. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - What is a Music DAO? How to Start or Join One and Take Control of Your Career If you’re an independent musician, chances are you’ve felt that nagging frustration: the music industry is built to keep power in the hands of labels, managers, and big platforms. They control the money, the exposure, and too often, the rights to your music. For decades, artists have been left f...

Making a Scene - How AI Can Build Your Music Marketing Plan in Minutes Being an indie musician today means wearing a lot of hats. You’re not just the songwriter and performer—you’re also the marketer, designer, and promoter. In the old days, record labels had entire departments handling those jobs. Now it often falls on your shoulders, and that can feel overwhelming. Luckily, AI is stepping in to...

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Yates McKendree Producer Kevin McKendree puts it best: “Because of Yates’s lifelong dedication to blues and roots music, he’s developed a direct line from his soul to whatever instrument he picks up. When he sings and plays, you don’t just hear it—you feel it. On these recordings, you’ll hear him on guitar, drums, bass, upright bass, and organ. Beyond all...

Making a Scene - AI in Mixing – The Rise of Smart Mix Assistants Mixing music has always been a blend of science, art, and gut feeling. For indie musicians working on tight budgets without access to high-end studios or pro engineers, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. How do you know where to set your EQ? Should the vocals sit louder, or should the drums punch harder? This is where artificial int...

Making a Scene - AI for Merch & Fan Product Design: Turning Ideas into Unique Fan Experiences Merch has always been one of the most powerful tools indie artists have. Not only does it bring in money, but it also builds identity. A shirt, a vinyl sleeve, or even a sticker isn’t just an object—it’s a way for fans to carry your music into the world. The problem for many artists has always been cost....

Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey's interview with Slyder Smith UK rock artist Slyder Smith returns with a powerful new single, “Nobody’s Listening,” out 15th August 2025. Raw, melodic, and unflinchingly honest, the track captures the frustration of trying to be heard in a world drowning in noise. “It’s about screaming for attention while everyone’s too distracted to notice,” Slyder explains. “W...

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Blind Lemon Pledge In 2021, Blind Lemon Pledge (aka Bay Area bluesman James Byfield) released “A Satchel Full of Blues”, an eclectic and wide ranging collection of original American Roots based songs set to a stripped down combo sound with drums, bass, guitar and harmonica. Garnering a slew of rave reviews, the album went to the top of the Blues charts, la...

Breaking Chains is a groundbreaking guide for independent musicians ready to take control of their careers in the rapidly evolving world of decentralized music. From blockchain-powered royalties to NFTs, DAOs, and smart contracts, this book breaks down complex Web3 concepts into practical strategies that help artists earn more, connect directly with fans, and retain creative freedom. With real-wor...

If you’ve ever recorded a song at home and then compared it to something on Spotify, you’ve probably asked yourself: Why doesn’t my track sound as big, clear, or balanced as theirs? You might have a great performance, good songwriting, and even solid mixing, but something still feels off. That “something” often comes down to EQ—short for equalization. EQ controls how loud or quiet different parts...

The music industry has always been tough on independent artists. You spend hours in the studio, pouring your energy and creativity into your songs, only to find that the money side of things feels like an endless maze. Streaming platforms pay very little, royalty checks take months—or even years—to arrive, and by the time everyone in the chain has taken their cut, there’s often barely anything lef...

If you’re an independent musician in 2025, your online footprint is your career.  Not your latest gig. Not your new single. Not even your merch table. It’s how people find you, remember you, and decide whether to care about you. But here’s the problem: most indie artists are flying blind. They’re throwing songs into the void of Spotify, posting random updates on Instagram, and hoping something sti...

If you’re an independent musician, you’ve probably heard this advice more than once: “Post more on social media!” And sure, it’s good advice. But here’s the problem—coming up with fresh, creative ideas every single day while also writing songs, booking gigs, recording music, and, you know, living your life can feel impossible. You want to keep your fans engaged, grow your audience, and show the wo...

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Matt Schofield British-born and now based in the United States, Matt Schofield has spent his career redefining and expanding the boundaries of British Blues. A multi-award-winning guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer, and bandleader, Schofield has been performing for more than 30 years, with over 20 years dedicated to his solo career. Widely recognized...

Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey's Interview with Andrea Dawson Andrea Dawson is an emerging Australian singer-songwriter hailing from Adelaide, South Australia, and one of the country’s most powerful and dynamic female voices. After years of lighting up the local South Australian rock circuit, Dawson’s career took a major leap forward when she crossed paths with internationally touring artist...

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Eric Wilson Adams Eric Wilson Adams lit up the Prairie State’s rock scene with raw authenticity and relentless energy. Growing up in Brookings, South Dakota, he was just 14 when he and four friends formed COCOON in 1969—an unapologetically scrappy rock‑and‑roll cover band that cut its teeth playing armories, bars, proms, and sock hops throughout the state...

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Emma Wilson Emma Wilson, a powerhouse vocalist and songwriter from England’s North East, blends the raw energy of the blues with the soulful elegance of early Aretha Franklin and Ann Peebles. Her debut album Wish Her Well earned her the UK Blues Awards’ “Emerging Blues Artist of the Year” in 2022, while her follow-up, Memphis Calling, showcased collaborati...

Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey's Interview with Jimmy Barnes Jimmy Barnes is an Australian rock icon whose career has spanned more than four decades, delivering some of the country’s most powerful live performances and unforgettable songs. Rising to fame in the 1970s as the electrifying frontman of Cold Chisel, Barnes helped define the golden era of Australian pub rock with classics like Khe...

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Christopher Wyze Formed as a studio project in 2022 by Indianapolis singer-songwriter Christopher Wyze and veteran producer/multi-instrumentalist Ralph Carter, Christopher Wyze & the Tellers made a remarkable entrance onto the global blues scene without playing a single live show. Their debut album Stuck in the Mud not only landed them a coveted spot in th...

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Alan Arena Alan Arena has been chasing the muse of music for over four decades, carving out a songwriting journey defined by raw emotion, grit, and a deep reverence for the roots of rock and blues. With his long-awaited album Fortune Wheel, Arena reminds us that true artistry is not bound by trends or timelines—it’s a lifelong road trip, driven by the soul...

Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey's Interview with Alan Maris of  Wanted Formed in the summer of 2021 in the quiet, rural town of Leonard, Michigan—just a mile east of Oxford—WANTED emerged with one loud and unmistakable mission: to bring back the unapologetic, riff-heavy, and melody-driven glory of 1980s heavy metal. Born from a shared love for the giants of the genre—RATT, Dokken, and Van Hale...

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Kim Field Kim Field is a celebrated harmonica player, singer, and songwriter best known for his work with his band The Perfect Gentlemen. With a career that spans decades, Kim has toured internationally and taken the stage at major festivals including the San Francisco Blues Festival, Bumbershoot, and the Waterfront Blues Festival. His dynamic performances...

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Stephan Jacques A true artist and songwriter world-renowned for his prolific, heartfelt alt-rock love songs, Stephen has released ten albums to date, with his eleventh on the way. He is produced by Steve Albini. His body of work was culled from a lifetime of experiences, including those as an engineer, a Hollywood actor, a custom builder, and a TV host. Th...

Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey's Interview with Rusty Ends Rusty Ends is the real deal—a living bridge between the gritty rock and blues of the 1950s and ’60s and the ever-evolving sounds of the 21st century. He cut his teeth as a teenager playing the rough bars and taverns along Dixie Highway, from Louisville to Fort Knox. His early audiences were a wild mix of soldiers, bikers, hustlers, la...

Making a Scene Presents an interview with the Reverend Freakchild In the spirit of legendary Holy Blues figures like Reverend Gary Davis, Reverend Freakchild carries on the tradition—with a twist of irreverence and a whole lot of soul. These days, he mostly performs solo acoustic sets, but over the years he’s recorded with an impressive lineup of talent, including Chris Parker, Hugh Pool, Mark Kar...