Secrets From The Scene

In today's music world, technology is more than just a tool—it's the backbone of our creative process. Whether it's recording software, social media platforms, graphic design apps, or streaming services, staying ahead of the curve is essential. We’re always on the lookout for the best ways to create, manage, and connect. But where do you find the latest tools that make a real differenc...

When you set out to pursue a career as a musician, it can be difficult to know what that even looks like. There's a "mist" that surrounds the music business, and knowing what to aim for can feel like a complete guess. Even knowing if you're hitting your target can be elusive. The truth is, the path from hobbyist to pro or indie musician to signed artist will look different for ev...

This week, we’re thrilled to welcome award-winning songwriter, composer, and producer Danny Burke to the podcast. With nearly 20 years of experience in the sync industry, Danny has an impressive portfolio featuring placements in TV shows, network promos, movie trailers, and ads for some of the world’s biggest brands. In this episode, Danny shares his journey into the sync world and offers invaluab...

What does success in the music business mean to you? Is it about fame and fortune, or is it about playing shows and releasing music? For many of us, it also involves our personal standards for when we get to call ourselves "musician," "songwriter," "producer," or any other title we aspire to. In this episode, we explore the intersection of identity, success, and money...

This episode includes  a free resource guide  with tons of extra information to help you register your music appropriately. You can get yours here. As of April 2024, more than $2 billion in music royalties are unclaimed by artists, songwriters, and performers, according to one YouTube video. Other sources estimate that 20–50% of music payments never reach their rightful owners.  Let's ensure y...

The music business is a realm filled with anecdotes and half-remembered stories that often get mistaken for gospel truths. We've all encountered strong opinions and tales about " the way things should be done. " But what do these notions really mean? How can we separate fact from fiction? In this episode, I'm joined by the renowned Kevin Bowe to debunk some of the most pervasive...

In episode 40 of Secrets From The Scene, I sit down with Brian Reidinger, co-founder of In The Groove, a sync company celebrating three decades in business. Brian shares the story of how In The Groove started, detailing his own journey from an aspiring rock drummer to a successful business owner with Darren Drew. The episode covers the challenges faced, the importance of understanding the business...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to successfully book festival gigs? I sit down with Maygen Lacey and Noah Neumann from the band Maygen and the Birdwatcher to explore just that. In this episode, Maygen and Noah share their journey as an independent band, offering valuable insights into the strategies they use to secure festival spots. We also discuss the challenges of maintaining a band once y...

Ready to finally tackle that annoying string buzz? Show your guitar, bass, mandolin, ukulele, or other favorite strumming box some extra love this year by bringing it to Overman Guitars. In this episode, I sit down with Wyatt Overman, the owner of Overman Guitars, to talk about all things guitar maintenance and repairs. Wyatt walks us through what a "setup" involves and shares best pract...

If you've ever recorded music at home, you've likely dipped your toes into the world of mixing. Among all the stages of recording a song, mixing stands out as one of the trickiest and most complex skills to master. But for me, it's also one of the most rewarding parts of making music. In this episode, I sit down with Jason McGlone , a talented audio professional and music professor at...

Feeling like your creative goals are always bogged down by poor execution? Whether it's bad planning, lack of communication, or simply not following through, our ambitions often outweigh our accountability. Despite our good intentions, time keeps slipping by and nothing seems to get done. If this sounds like you, it's time to get organized and start working like a professional creative tea...

In this episode of Secrets from the Scene, I sit down with Maria Coyne, Faith Boblett, and Laura Hugo to discuss the unique challenges faced by women in the music industry. Our discussion spans various issues such as underrepresentation, ageism, societal pressures, harassment, safety concerns, and the impact of social media. Emphasizing the importance of camaraderie and mutual support amongst wome...

Most indie musicians have heard of sync licensing and have a general idea of what it entails. It's often one of those things that gets put on the back burner as "something I should probably look into." Sound familiar? Even if you've dabbled in it—maybe signed some tracks with a sync agency or opted in for sync opportunities through your music distributor—chances are you still don...

Community building is crucial for independent artists. In this episode, I chat with Sarah Morris, a celebrated artist and community builder in the Twin Cities music scene. Sarah shares her journey and insights on creating and nurturing communities through music. Have you been looking for ways to better connect with your fanbase? Or maybe you're trying to deepen your relationships with other ar...

Building a fanbase is no easy task. Building one from scratch in a new city is especially challenging. That’s the challenge Clayton Ryan faced last November when he relocated to the Twin Cities from Los Angeles. From his humble beginnings performing bar gigs in South Dakota, composing for sync in LA, and his strategic approach in the Minneapolis music scene, Clayton Ryan shares his journey's c...

Dive into the music-filled world of a full-time guitarist with David Feily. With mastery across multiple instruments and a role as an educator at MacPhail, Feily epitomizes the essence of a committed artist. He plays with notable names like the BZ3 Organ Trio, Minneapolis String Project, and LA Buckner, to name just a few. Beyond his extraordinary guitar-playing abilities, Feily understands the mu...

What do Pitbull, pop saxophone, and pushing your boundaries have to do with one another?  After finishing her degree at McNally Smith, Lucia Sarmiento read Ari Herstand's book "How To Make It in the New Music Business" and decided to write down her goals and dreams for her music career.  On that list, she included: Tour with a big pop star Grow her social media for opportunities and...

Deciding where you’d like to record your first project can be a little daunting. Like many industries, the advancement of technology has made for an incredible amount of choices. For this reason, a lot of people just opt for the path of least resistance : choosing to work with someone they know, a place nearby, or whatever is cheapest. For others, the natural first choice is to start doing it on t...

There are three essential components every musician must have to successfully pitch their music for gigs: an artist brand, an EPK, and the ability to craft effective emails. Missing any of these can potentially cost you the gig. In this episode, David Ostrom joins me to delve into the art of "packaging the pitch." David, the brains behind Ostrom Entertainment, an agency specializing in e...

Ever put off getting professional photos for your artist profiles because of the dread associated with staged photo shoots? You're not alone. For many, the process is nerve-wracking, struggling to bridge the gap between imagination and actual capture. I've had my fair share of awkward photo shoots; it can be intimidating. Thankfully, Maddi Waldo joined me on this episode to give insider ad...

If you've ever experienced a gear failure during a gig, you know just how stressful it can be. The frantic scramble to find a workaround while trying to conceal the issue can seriously disrupt your flow. And depending on the severity of the failure, it can throw off the entire performance. The aftermath of such mishaps? You're left feeling distracted, frustrated, embarrassed, or simply ann...

In this episode I’m joined by Alek Glauvitz of Coffee Break Entertainment. Coffee Break Entertainment is a new booking and events agency located here in the Twin Cities, serving local artists and businesses by coordinating and hosting live music events. If you’re a singer-songwriter and you’ve been struggling to figure out where your next show is going to be, you may be in luck. Alek’s company loo...

Music has long been recognized for its ability to contribute to mental health, relaxation, a sense of community, and more. However, it's intriguing that many musicians, despite creating this therapeutic art, often struggle with anxiety, substance abuse, poor habits, and a myriad of unique challenges found in the music industry. In this episode, I’m joined by Chance York, an independent musicia...

Trying to pursue music can be financially challenging, especially when you're just starting out. If financial constraints have been impeding your progress in the realm of music, Mike Hallenbeck offers a valuable list of cost-free and time-efficient ideas to propel your musical pursuits forward. Hallenbeck, a versatile audio enthusiast, boasts a skill set spanning across multiple instruments, c...

Where do you start when you don’t know where to start? That’s the question that many musicians face when they first get the itch to start sharing their music. There’s no real guide when it comes to weaving your way into the fabric of our local scene. That’s because it’s different for everyone, and there is no “right” or “wrong” way. Do you want to start a band? Go solo? Do you want to write your o...