Secrets From The Scene

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 defies easy labels. We talk about what it really takes to sustain a creative career over the long haul — the tough decisions, unexpected opportunities, and constant balancing acts that come with living a multidisciplinary life. In this conversation, you’ll hear us dive into: * The pressures artists face to “pick a lane” — and why Dessa never did * Lessons from Doomtree on collaboration, community, and persistence * How Dessa decides which projects are worth her time * The financial realities of making art — and the unavoidable tradeoffs, from touring and merch to sustainability and personal values * The moral gray areas of brand partnerships and choosing who to align with * Why curiosity, experimentation, and adaptability are the keys to longevity This conversation left me thinking a lot about what it really means to build a creative life that lasts and how there’s no single “right” way to do it. It’s about making your own lane and finding ways to keep going. Whether you’re balancing multiple passions, trying to make your art sustainable, or just figuring out your next move, I think you’ll walk away from this one with a few new ideas — and maybe a little reassurance that you’re not alone in the process. Full Transcript and Show Notes [https://secretsfromthescene.com/75] Interested in working with us on your next song? 👋 ⁠https://helvigproductions.com/letsconnect⁠ [https://helvigproductions.com/letsconnect] Connect with the Guest: 🔗 Dessa Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dessa] 🔗 Dessawander.com [https://www.dessawander.com/] Featured Song: "Hurricane Party" by Dessa 🎧 Listen on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/track/5rmg3dVtNulAP1DoqeUuYm?si=9908344ef9c64f64] Connect with Me: ✉️ ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠ [https://secretsfromthescene.com/] 📷 ⁠⁠⁠Connect on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/secretsfromthescene/] 🕺 ⁠⁠⁠Connect on TikTok⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@secretsfromthescene] 📺 ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@secretsfromthescene] Give Feedback: 📬 Send me a message: ⁠⁠⁠stephen@secretsfromthescene.com⁠⁠⁠ [stephen@secretsfromthescene.com] 💬 Suggest a guest or topic: ⁠⁠⁠podcast@secretsfromthescene.com⁠⁠⁠ [podcast@secretsfromthescene.com] 🧡 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/57b3vOVgDr5yF1Yt4lCLiN?si=21403747171c4f75] ✍️ ⁠⁠⁠Write a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/secrets-from-the-scene/id1706158542] ⁠⁠⁠🎙️ Brought to you by Helvig Productions⁠ [https://helvigproductions.com/] Production, videography, and coaching to help you sound your best, tell your story, and promote your music. Think of us like your extra bandmate, 100% focused on helping you create something special that you and your fans will enjoy for a lifetime. 🙏 Thank You This podcast is made possible by the hard work, expertise, and commitment of my team: Max Greene and Joey Biehn. I'm forever grateful. And thank YOU, for listening. Theme Music: "Thankful" Courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠LUEDVIG⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Zj7gsA0rAKgUEecQpTPLh?si=uvrRfXAFQ_WHFGW1RN8gSQ]

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 culturally-rooted artists, and leaning into his skills across poetry, music, and visual storytelling. We talk about how he got started, the shift from poetry to performance, why live shows are the core of his strategy, and what goes into organizing your own events when the infrastructure isn’t already there. We also get into how he navigates social anxiety at networking-heavy events, and how he’s learned to show up anyway. It’s a grounded, practical conversation about making something work in a niche — and doing it with intention, consistency, and community in mind. Full Transcript and Show Notes [https://secretsfromthescene.com/74] Interested in working with us on your next song? 👋 ⁠https://helvigproductions.com/letsconnect⁠ [https://helvigproductions.com/letsconnect] Connect with the Guest: 🔗 Brandyn Tulloch Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/b_tulloch] Featured Song: "I Give My Love Instead" by Brandyn Tulloch 🎧 Listen on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/track/6DvBQDIDwZ08ISjvrqDjPK?si=6a865469474b48d3] Connect with Me: ✉️ ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠ [https://secretsfromthescene.com/] 📷 ⁠⁠⁠Connect on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/secretsfromthescene/] 🕺 ⁠⁠⁠Connect on TikTok⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@secretsfromthescene] 📺 ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@secretsfromthescene] Give Feedback: 📬 Send me a message: ⁠⁠⁠stephen@secretsfromthescene.com⁠⁠⁠ [stephen@secretsfromthescene.com] 💬 Suggest a guest or topic: ⁠⁠⁠podcast@secretsfromthescene.com⁠⁠⁠ [podcast@secretsfromthescene.com] 🧡 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/57b3vOVgDr5yF1Yt4lCLiN?si=21403747171c4f75] ✍️ ⁠⁠⁠Write a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/secrets-from-the-scene/id1706158542] ⁠⁠⁠🎙️ Brought to you by Helvig Productions⁠ [https://helvigproductions.com/] Production, videography, and coaching to help you sound your best, tell your story, and promote your music. Think of us like your extra bandmate, 100% focused on helping you create something special that you and your fans will enjoy for a lifetime. 🙏 Thank You This podcast is made possible by the hard work, expertise, and commitment of my team: Max Greene and Joey Biehn. I'm forever grateful. And thank YOU, for listening. Theme Music: "Thankful" Courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠LUEDVIG⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Zj7gsA0rAKgUEecQpTPLh?si=uvrRfXAFQ_WHFGW1RN8gSQ]

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 to build a sustainable life in music—one where your relationships, health, and values don’t fall by the wayside. Steve opens up about the reality of touring while raising a family, how his priorities have shifted over time, and why saying no is sometimes the most powerful move you can make. We also cover: * The behind-the-scenes shifts that led to his work with Owl City * What he's learned from working with different kinds of artists * How he handles social media and authenticity * Why adaptability—not hustle—is the key to longevity Whether you’re a gigging musician, a studio lifer, or just someone who loves music and wants a peek behind the curtain, there’s something here for you. Give it a listen—and stay to the end for one of Steve’s best pieces of advice yet. Full Transcript and Show Notes [https://secretsfromthescene.com/73] Interested in working with us on your next song? 👋 ⁠https://helvigproductions.com/letsconnect⁠ [https://helvigproductions.com/letsconnect] Connect with the Guest: 🔗 https://stevegoold.com/ [https://stevegoold.com/] 🔗 https://www.instagram.com/stevegoold/ [https://www.instagram.com/stevegoold/] Featured Song: "Solo Improvisations on Drumset" by Steve Goold 👀 Watch on YouTube [https://youtu.be/W_oT1NO121I?si=4i3HUfN4MINPGLWr] Connect with Me: ✉️ ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠ [https://secretsfromthescene.com/] 📷 ⁠⁠⁠Connect on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/secretsfromthescene/] 🕺 ⁠⁠⁠Connect on TikTok⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@secretsfromthescene] 📺 ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@secretsfromthescene] Give Feedback: 📬 Send me a message: ⁠⁠⁠stephen@secretsfromthescene.com⁠⁠⁠ [stephen@secretsfromthescene.com] 💬 Suggest a guest or topic: ⁠⁠⁠podcast@secretsfromthescene.com⁠⁠⁠ [podcast@secretsfromthescene.com] 🧡 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/57b3vOVgDr5yF1Yt4lCLiN?si=21403747171c4f75] ✍️ ⁠⁠⁠Write a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/secrets-from-the-scene/id1706158542] ⁠⁠⁠🎙️ Brought to you by Helvig Productions⁠ [https://helvigproductions.com/] Production, videography, and coaching to help you sound your best, tell your story, and promote your music. Think of us like your extra bandmate, 100% focused on helping you create something special that you and your fans will enjoy for a lifetime. 🙏 Thank You This podcast is made possible by the hard work, expertise, and commitment of my team: Max Greene and Joey Biehn. I'm forever grateful. And thank YOU, for listening. Theme Music: "Thankful" Courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠LUEDVIG⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Zj7gsA0rAKgUEecQpTPLh?si=uvrRfXAFQ_WHFGW1RN8gSQ]

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 stream of deeply personal songs, and just dropped his debut novel, Unspectacular. Zaq has built a career not just through talent, but by being deeply involved — supporting fellow musicians, collaborating across genres, and making it a point to be there for other people’s art. We talk about why that matters and how it’s come back to support his own career in multiple ways. We also get into: * The ripple effects of actually showing up to shows * Why amplifying other artists’ work can open doors for your own * The overlap between writing a novel and writing songs * How to manage (and finish!) multiple creative projects without losing your mind * Practical ways to build a healthier, more connected local music scene Whether you're feeling stuck, burned out, or just wondering how to grow your career without selling your soul, this one’s worth your time. Full Transcript and Show Notes [https://secretsfromthescene.com/72] Interested in working with us on your next song? 👋 ⁠https://helvigproductions.com/letsconnect⁠ [https://helvigproductions.com/letsconnect] Connect with the Guest: 🔗 Zaq Baker Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/zaqbaker/] 🔗 Zaqbaker.com [https://www.zaqbaker.com/] Featured Song: “Bri” by Zaq Baker 🎧 Listen on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/track/5yqgNa0BOuopOcOihIFlWC?si=a4413853458440ab] Connect with Me: ✉️ ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠ [https://secretsfromthescene.com/] 📷 ⁠⁠⁠Connect on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/secretsfromthescene/] 🕺 ⁠⁠⁠Connect on TikTok⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@secretsfromthescene] 📺 ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@secretsfromthescene] Give Feedback: 📬 Send me a message: ⁠⁠⁠stephen@secretsfromthescene.com⁠⁠⁠ [stephen@secretsfromthescene.com] 💬 Suggest a guest or topic: ⁠⁠⁠podcast@secretsfromthescene.com⁠⁠⁠ [podcast@secretsfromthescene.com] 🧡 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/57b3vOVgDr5yF1Yt4lCLiN?si=21403747171c4f75] ✍️ ⁠⁠⁠Write a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/secrets-from-the-scene/id1706158542] ⁠⁠⁠🎙️ Brought to you by Helvig Productions⁠ [https://helvigproductions.com/] Production, videography, and coaching to help you sound your best, tell your story, and promote your music. Think of us like your extra bandmate, 100% focused on helping you create something special that you and your fans will enjoy for a lifetime. 🙏 Thank You This podcast is made possible by the hard work, expertise, and commitment of my team: Max Greene and Joey Biehn. I'm forever grateful. And thank YOU, for listening. Theme Music: "Thankful" Courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠LUEDVIG⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Zj7gsA0rAKgUEecQpTPLh?si=uvrRfXAFQ_WHFGW1RN8gSQ]

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. It’s a look at what fuels longevity — and how Ryan keeps finding new creative gears to shift into. From his early DIY days to pandemic-era solo recording sessions, from sideman roles to teaching music on his YouTube channel (Secret Chord), Ryan's story is full of insight for anyone trying to navigate a life in music. Whether you're building your first project or reinventing yourself for the tenth time, this one’s for you. What we cover: * Joining Ultrabomb and collaborating with punk legends * Switching between frontman and sideman roles (and what each teaches you) * Starting a solo record with zero plan — and reviving an old label to release it * What it means to “add your voice” to an established band like Soul Asylum * Balancing the business, the art, and the heart of music * Teaching, mentorship, and the surprising joy of YouTube In a world that keeps changing, the drive to create might be the only constant. Let this episode recharge yours. Full Transcript and Show Notes [https://secretsfromthescene.com/71] Interested in working with us on your next song? 👋 ⁠https://helvigproductions.com/letsconnect⁠ [https://helvigproductions.com/letsconnect] Connect with the Guest: 🔗 Ryan Smith IG [https://www.instagram.com/ryan_smith_solo/?hl=en] 🔗 Hygh Tension Records [https://hyghtensionrecords.com/] 🔗 Secret Chord YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@SecretChordOfficial] Featured Song: "Start Making Sense" by Ryan and Pony 🎧 Listen on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/track/69b2YYaVMqZKN0GsOoK3Yn?si=73803c0821e643d6] 👀 Watch on YouTube [https://youtu.be/oGeBzLZNoso] Connect with Me: ✉️ ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to the newsletter⁠⁠⁠ [https://secretsfromthescene.com/] 📷 ⁠⁠⁠Connect on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/secretsfromthescene/] 🕺 ⁠⁠⁠Connect on TikTok⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@secretsfromthescene] 📺 ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@secretsfromthescene] Give Feedback: 📬 Send me a message: ⁠⁠⁠stephen@secretsfromthescene.com⁠⁠⁠ [stephen@secretsfromthescene.com] 💬 Suggest a guest or topic: ⁠⁠⁠podcast@secretsfromthescene.com⁠⁠⁠ [podcast@secretsfromthescene.com] 🧡 ⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/57b3vOVgDr5yF1Yt4lCLiN?si=21403747171c4f75] ✍️ ⁠⁠⁠Write a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/secrets-from-the-scene/id1706158542] ⁠⁠⁠🎙️ Brought to you by Helvig Productions⁠ [https://helvigproductions.com/] Production, videography, and coaching to help you sound your best, tell your story, and promote your music. Think of us like your extra bandmate, 100% focused on helping you create something special that you and your fans will enjoy for a lifetime. 🙏 Thank You This podcast is made possible by the hard work, expertise, and commitment of my team: Max Greene and Joey Biehn. I'm forever grateful. And thank YOU, for listening. Theme Music: "Thankful" Courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠LUEDVIG⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Zj7gsA0rAKgUEecQpTPLh?si=uvrRfXAFQ_WHFGW1RN8gSQ]