Secrets From The Scene

What keeps a musician going when the stage lights go down? When a tour falls through, a band breaks up, or the industry shifts yet again? This week, I sat down with Ryan Smith — someone who’s found ways to keep creating through all of it. You might know him as the guitarist for Soul Asylum , frontman of The Melismatics , one-half of Ryan and Pony , or the newest member of Ultrabomb (alongside Hüsk...

Struggling to get your music heard in a crowded scene? This week’s guest knows exactly what it takes—and he built a whole platform to help make it happen. In this episode, I talk with Julian Green , the creator and curator behind Carbon Sound —a music platform from The Current, KMOJ, and MPR that’s all about celebrating the depth and impact of Black musical expression. Whether you’re into hip-hop,...

Studio success is about more than gear or talent — it’s about creating an environment where great performances can happen. In this episode, I talk with Nick Tveitbakk , longtime engineer and producer at the legendary Pachyderm Studios , about what it really takes to make records that connect. From preparing for a session to navigating studio etiquette and energy, we dig into the invisible skills t...

Ever sent a press email and heard nothing back? You're not alone. Too many great musicians get overlooked—not because their music isn’t good, but because their pitch falls flat. In this week’s episode of Secrets From the Scene , I sat down with Youa Vang , a Twin Cities-based music journalist who’s written for outlets like The Current , MSP Magazine , MN Monthly , and MPR . She’s interviewed o...

What do you do when the music you’ve been making just doesn’t feel right anymore? In this episode, I sit down with Lars Pruitt from Yam Haus to talk about what it really looks like to evolve as a band — not for clicks, not to stay trendy, but just to stay inspired. After years of building momentum with pop-driven songs, national TV appearances, and sold-out shows, the band started to feel a discon...

If you're trying to carve out a unique sound but feel like you're swimming in a sea of sameness, you're not alone. So much of the gear and tools we rely on push us toward what's familiar rather than what's possible. In this episode, I talk with Joel Korte, the founder of Chase Bliss, a Minnesota-based company known for designing some of the most innovative and creatively inspir...

Most indie artists don’t realize they’re unprotected until it’s too late. This week, I sat down with attorney Jonathan Sime of Spence Law Firm to talk through one of the most overlooked areas in the DIY music space: the law . We get into the real-world stuff musicians deal with—copyrights, trademarks, split sheets, contracts, band breakups, shady deals—and how to actually protect your work without...

Are you leaking money as an indie artist? Making music isn’t about turning a profit for most indie artists—it’s about creating something meaningful. But that doesn’t mean you have to overspend. Whether music is your career or your passion project, being smart with your money can help you do more of what you love. That’s why in this episode of Secrets From the Scene, I sat down with Tommy Rehbein (...

Ever feel like you’re grinding away in music but not sure how to break into bigger opportunities? This week on Secrets From The Scene, I sat down with Andy Thompson, a producer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist who’s built a career working with Taylor Swift, Celine Dion, Dan Wilson, Dessa, Jeremy Messersmith, and even orchestras like the Minnesota Orchestra and LA Philharmonic. Andy’s one of th...

We’re kicking off Season 2 of Secrets from the Scene with a conversation about something that affects every musician: the fight for fair pay, better conditions, and a more supportive music community. This week, I sat down with Nadi McGill , drummer for Gully Boys and lead organizer of Twin Cities United Performers (TCUP) . We talked about: How Gully Boys came up in the Twin Cities scene and built...

We’re wrapping up an incredible first season of Secrets from the Scene with a question many aspiring audio engineers face: Do you really need to go to school for recording? This week, I’m joined by Matt Holmes, a seasoned instructor at Hennepin Tech, to break it all down. We explore the pros and cons of pursuing formal audio education and dig into these key topics: 🎧 Structured Learning: Why havi...

Have you ever walked into a recording studio with high hopes, only to realize the process wasn’t quite what you expected? Or maybe you're considering recording your first song and wondering how to prepare? This week’s episode is for you. I sit down with Zach Zurn, the talented producer, songwriter, and studio owner behind Carpet Booth Studios in Rochester, MN, to dissect the most common myths and...

Ever felt like your gigs aren’t landing quite like you hoped? Maybe the soundcheck goes sideways, or you’re scrambling with load-out while juggling merch and keeping the venue happy. In this episode of Secrets from the Scene , my co-host Max Greene and I are tackling exactly these pain points, covering the seven most common gig mistakes bands make—and how to steer clear of them! Here’s what we cov...

Full Transcript and Show Notes Interested in working with us on your next song? 👋  ⁠https://helvigproductions.com/letsconnect⁠ Connect with the Guest: 🔗  Theavantgardeis.com 🔗  The Avant Garde Instagram Connect with Me: ✉️  ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠ 📷  ⁠⁠⁠Connect on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ 🕺  ⁠⁠⁠Connect on TikTok⁠⁠⁠ 📺  ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠ Give Feedback: 📬 Send me a message:  ⁠⁠⁠stephen@...

Full Transcript and Show Notes Interested in working with us on your next song? 👋  ⁠https://helvigproductions.com/letsconnect⁠ Connect with the Guest: 🔗 nashvilledrumdoctor@gmail.com Connect with Me: ✉️  ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠ 📷  ⁠⁠⁠Connect on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ 🕺  ⁠⁠⁠Connect on TikTok⁠⁠⁠ 📺  ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠ Give Feedback: 📬 Send me a message:  ⁠⁠⁠stephen@secretsfromthescene.c...

In a world obsessed with likes, streams, and followers, it’s easy for artists to feel like they’re falling short. What happens when your latest single doesn’t get many streams? Or your reel goes unnoticed? The pressure to validate your art with numbers is real—but is it the right way to measure success? In this episode, I’m joined by Jen Bluhm (aka Waltzing on Waves)—a talented musician and neurod...

In this week's episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the incredibly talented indie rock band, Bad Bad Hats. Kerry Alexander and Chris Hoge took me on a deep dive into their decade-long journey, from their early college days releasing music on MySpace to becoming full-time musicians with national tours and professional records under their belt. We cover a lot in this episode, including:...

Being a full-time musician often means juggling two different worlds—playing in other people’s bands while managing your own solo projects. Each role requires a unique skill set and mindset. In this episode, Nelson Devereaux—an in-demand musician known for his work with Bon Iver and others—discusses how he balances these two careers. From leading his projects to being a hired player on tours, Nels...

Full Transcript and Show Notes Interested in working with us on your next song? 👋 https://helvigproductions.com/letsconnect Connect with the Guest: 🔗  Flavorworld Website 🔗  Flavorworld Instagram 🔗  Drew Kinkade Connect with Me: ✉️  ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠ 📷  ⁠⁠⁠Connect on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ 🕺  ⁠⁠⁠Connect on TikTok⁠⁠⁠ 📺  ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠ Give Feedback: 📬 Send me a message:  ⁠...

In this episode, I’m joined by legendary hip-hop producer Aaron Mader, aka Lazerbeak , who has been a driving force in Minnesota’s music scene for nearly two decades. From his early days in the indie rock scene to becoming a key member of the Doomtree collective—and even producing Lizzo’s debut album—Aaron shares his incredible journey. We dive deep into his career, discussing everything from work...

Ever thought about hiring a publicist? Whether it’s never crossed your mind or you’ve written it off as too expensive or exclusive to signed artists, this episode will change your perspective. Krista Vilinskis of Elephants and Flowers Media is here to demystify the role of a music publicist. She’ll share the common pitfalls new artists make—and how you can avoid them—while maximizing your next pre...

In just 5 short years, indie pop artist Landon Conrath went from releasing his first song to amassing over 600,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Thanks to key placements on Spotify playlists, a few of Landon’s tracks went viral, propelling him into the spotlight. Since then, he’s signed a record deal, booked extensive tours, and traveled to LA for whirlwind writing sessions—all while consistently...

Ever wonder what makes a song click in a commercial? How does it differ from other sync placements? In this episode, I’m joined by industry veterans Jim Weber and Christy Van House, the masterminds behind Hitlist, a renowned music house specializing in curating music for media. Together, we discuss the unique aspects of creating music for advertisements and how it stands apart in the sync world. W...

If you’re a musician, chances are the "algorithm" has shown you ads for music it thinks you’ll love. Maybe you’ve clicked, maybe you haven’t—but have you ever considered if those ads actually work? In this episode, we dive into the world of modern music marketing with the talented guitarist Joe Flip. This is more than just a discussion about ads; it’s a hands-on case study of what it tak...

Not many bands can say they started making music at 13, but for Guytano, it’s the foundation of their journey. Hailing from Sartell, MN, this band of childhood friends began by playing their high school prom. Fast forward, and they’ve worked their way up through the Twin Cities venue circuit, from headlining 7th St. Entry to rocking the Fine Line and, ultimately, taking the stage in First Avenue&#...