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PODCAST

Secrets From The Scene

Stephen Helvig | Helvig Productions

Welcome to Secrets From the Scene, a show for local musicians who want to improve their music, grow their audience, and learn about Minnesota"s music scene. If you"re interested in talking about all things music-related and meeting interesting people from our local community, you"re in the right place.

music

All Episodes

01:21:14

Ep. 80: Turning Strangers Into Fans with Thomas Sticha

Secrets From The Scene ·

2025/11/19

Your content is only getting views from your friends, your family, and the bands you are playing with. If that sounds familiar, this conversation will help you think more clearly about why strangers are not sticking and what needs to change at the brand and strategy level.This week on Secrets From The Scene, I sit down with Thomas Sticha, a Saint Paul artist with a background in product marketing, branding, and websites. Thomas toured as a keyboardist before going solo, and he recently started

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01:04:28

Ep. 79: The Sober Musician’s Toolkit: Scripts,...

Secrets From The Scene ·

2025/11/12

Trying to build a music career while staying sober is hard. Venues, late nights, constant offers, social pressure. This week, I sit down with three artists from our scene, Adam Lifto, Caitlin Benson, and Wyatt Overman, to talk plainly about what recovery looks like in practice and how to keep making work you are proud of.We focus on actionable strategies: preparing for substance-heavy spaces, how to handle friends and peers that aren’t sober, when to step away for safety, and how creativity changes

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00:52:22

Ep. 78: Print Isn’t Dead: Celebrating Twin Cities...

Secrets From The Scene ·

2025/10/29

This week on Secrets From The Scene, I sit down with Dani Larson and Nicole Prestol, two of the founders of Tumbling Rock Magazine, a Twin Cities print publication bringing local music to life on paper.We talk about how Tumbling Rock began as a joke between bandmates and evolved into a full-fledged magazine that celebrates Minnesota’s music community through thoughtful storytelling and striking physical design. Dani and Nicole share what it takes to build and sustain a free, community-driven

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01:13:12

Ep. 77: Inside the Twin Cities Hip Hop Scene with...

Secrets From The Scene ·

2025/09/24

Minnesota’s hip-hop scene is more alive and diverse than most people realize. Few know it better than Juice Lord, who’s lived it from late-night open mics to sold-out stages. Beyond the music, he’s built a reputation as someone who lifts others up while carving his own path. This episode is your inside look at the culture, the community, and the grind.That’s why I sat down with Malik Curtis, better known as Juice Lord, one of St. Paul’s most influential hip-hop artists and community leaders. At just

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01:18:40

Ep. 76: Behind the Grind: Divide the Fall's Touring...

Secrets From The Scene ·

2025/09/10

Have you ever wondered what it really takes to survive life on the road as a touring band? It’s not all glamorous shows and screaming crowds—most of the time it’s van repairs, tight budgets, and figuring out how to sleep in impossible places.In this week’s episode of Secrets From the Scene, Max Greene sits down with Matt DeMar, guitarist for the Twin Cities rock/metal band Divide the Fall. Together, they go behind the grind to talk about what touring is really like, from DIY runs across the country

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01:00:26

Ep. 75: Making Art, Making Choices, and Making It...

Secrets From The Scene ·

2025/08/27

If you’ve ever struggled to balance multiple passions, questioned whether to “pick a focus,” or wondered how to actually make a creative career work long-term, this episode is for you.This week on Secrets From the Scene, I sit down with Dessa — a writer, rapper, singer, podcaster, and speaker who’s built one of the most multifaceted careers in the Twin Cities and beyond. From Doomtree to the Minnesota Orchestra, The Hamilton Mixtape to her BBC podcast Deeply Human, Dessa has carved a path that

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01:04:02

Ep. 74: From Poetry to Performance: Building...

Secrets From The Scene ·

2025/08/13

What happens when the music you make doesn’t have a built-in scene?This week I’m talking with Brandyn Tulloch — an artist who started in spoken word, found his way into reggae, and has been steadily building community through live shows, collaboration, and creative hustle.Reggae isn’t a dominant genre in Minneapolis, but Brandyn hasn’t let that stop him. He’s built a career by focusing on connection over trends — creating live experiences that bring people together, collaborating with other

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00:51:53

Ep. 73: Finding Balance: Steve Goold on Touring,...

Secrets From The Scene ·

2025/07/30

How do you keep your family and personal life grounded when your career pulls you all over the map?This week on Secrets From the Scene, I handed the mic to my co-host Max Greene for a conversation with someone I’ve looked up to for years—drummer and educator Steve Goold.You’ve probably heard Steve without even realizing it. He’s toured with artists like Sara Bareilles, Owl City, Ben Rector, and many more. But in this episode, we go deeper than the resume.Max and Steve dig into what it actually takes

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01:01:54

Ep. 72: Being Everywhere, Writing Everything, and...

Secrets From The Scene ·

2025/07/16

If you've ever felt like you're shouting into the void with your music, you're not alone. There’s so much noise out there, and it’s easy to slip into scarcity mode and to think the only way forward is to focus on yourself, hustle harder, and tune everything else out.But what if the real key to momentum is showing up for others?This week, I sat down with my friend and longtime collaborator Zaq Baker — a wildly versatile artist who’s played in half the bands in town, released a steady

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01:09:08

Ep. 71: The Drive to Create: Soul Asylum, Ultrabomb,...

Secrets From The Scene ·

2025/06/18

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 Hüsker Dü’s Greg Norton and Social Distortion’s Derek O’Brien).But this conversation isn’t just a career recap

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00:59:20

Ep. 70: Carbon Sound Explained: Music, Mission, and...

Secrets From The Scene ·

2025/06/04

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, R&B, Afrobeats, funk, electronic, or just great music in general, this one’s for you.We get

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01:11:50

Ep. 69: Inside Pachyderm – Studio Etiquette, Vibes, &...

Secrets From The Scene ·

2025/05/21

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 that can make or break your time in the studio.We cover everything from Nick’s journey through the

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00:54:09

Ep. 68: What Journalists Wish You Knew Before...

Secrets From The Scene ·

2025/05/07

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 over 500 artists—from household names like Jeff Bridges and Aimee Mann to local indie bands trying to break

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01:02:49

Ep. 67: The Reinvention of Yam Haus: A Conversation...

Secrets From The Scene ·

2025/04/24

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 disconnect between what they were putting out and what actually excited them.So they pivoted.We talk about how

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00:54:23

Ep. 66: Pushing Creative Boundaries with Chase Bliss...

Secrets From The Scene ·

2025/04/09

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 inspiring effects pedals in the world. Whether you're a guitarist, producer, or home studio explorer,

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01:17:21

Ep. 65: Essential Legal Tips Every DIY Artist Needs...

Secrets From The Scene ·

2025/03/26

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 breaking the bank.Jonathan doesn’t just give the “go hire a lawyer” speech. He breaks down practical steps

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01:01:33

Ep. 64: Touring, Merch, and Money: Smart Strategies...

Secrets From The Scene ·

2025/03/12

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 (musician, producer, and frontman of Toilet Rats) to talk about how indie bands can stretch every dollar

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01:29:02

Ep. 63: Orchestrating Success: From Local Gigs to...

Secrets From The Scene ·

2025/02/26

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 those rare musicians who’s made it all work—recording, producing, arranging, and composing—without getting

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01:07:04

Ep. 62: Uniting Musicians for Change: Nadi of Gully...

Secrets From The Scene ·

2025/02/05

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 momentum beyond Minnesota The story behind TCUP and how it grew out of the First Ave unionization

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01:01:40

Ep. 61: Do I Need To Go To School For Recording? with...

Secrets From The Scene ·

2024/11/27

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 having a curriculum might accelerate your growth. 🤝 Networking Opportunities: The connections you make at

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