MN Music Note - Ep 44 - World Karaoke Champion, Drag Performer & Musician | Mikko Blaze

MN Music Note - Ep 44 - World Karaoke Champion, Drag Performer & Musician | Mikko Blaze

Can a karaoke competition really change your life? For Mikko Blaze, the answer is yes. What started as a love for singing led him from drag performances and karaoke competitions to becoming a World Karaoke Champion, performing on national television in Japan, sharing stages with incredible artists, and building a name for himself in Minnesota's music scene. In this episode, Mikko opens up about the moments that shaped him, the risks that paid off, and why he's finally stepping fully into the artist he's always wanted to be. In this episode, we talked about: • Becoming the 2018 World Karaoke Champion • How drag performance helped launch his music career • Performing on national television in Japan • Joining Hurricane Karaoke and building a life in music • Why Minnesota became the place he calls home • The bands, collaborations, and projects he's working on today • The advice he'd give anyone who's afraid to chase their dream Whether you're a musician, performer, creative, or someone who's been putting off a dream for too long, this conversation is packed with stories, laughs, inspiration, and proof that it's never too late to bet on yourself. 🎙️ Tune in to hear how one karaoke competition led to a world championship, international stages, and a music journey that's still just getting started. If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online

MN Music Note - Ep 43 - From a Tennis Racket to 25 Years on Stage with Jason Farruggia

From pretending a tennis racket was a guitar as a kid to becoming a staple of Minnesota's rock scene, Jason Farruggia has spent decades living and breathing music. As a founding member of Menace, a guitarist in KOBB, and a member of StiphBizkit, Jason has spent decades entertaining crowds and helping shape Minnesota's rock scene. In this episode, Jason shares stories from 25 years with Menace, the journey that led him to the stage, the realities of keeping a band together for decades, his love of guitars, and how original music, tribute bands, lifelong friendships, and unforgettable performances have shaped his life. Whether you're a musician, a music fan, or someone pursuing a passion that refuses to let go, this conversation is packed with stories, lessons, laughs, and hard-earned wisdom from a true Minnesota music veteran. In This Episode We Talk About: - Growing up pretending a tennis racket was a guitar - The story behind his very first guitar - Building Menace into a Minnesota rock staple for 25 years - The challenges of keeping a band together through decades of change - What separates memorable performers from everyone else on stage - The creation of his signature green beard stage persona - Performing with KOBB and bringing iconic metal songs to life - The story behind StiphBizkit and its place in the local music scene - His ever-growing guitar collection and love of gear - The friendships, memories, and opportunities music has brought into his life You’re gonna want to tune into this episode because Jason's story is proof that passion doesn't have an expiration date. From playing air guitar with a tennis racket to performing with Menace, KOBB, and StiphBizkit, he shares what it takes to stay committed to music, evolve with the times, and keep showing up for the thing you love most. If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online

MN Music Note - Ep 42 - The Behind-the-Scenes Story of Mid Summer Music Fest

What does it actually take to build a music festival from the ground up? In this episode, I sat down with Jena Burkman, General Manager of Mid Summer Music Fest, to pull back the curtain on one of Minnesota's fastest-growing rock festivals. Jena shares how a simple idea between friends evolved into a multi-day event featuring national acts, thousands of attendees, and over 1,300 campsites. They dive into the year-round planning that goes into booking bands, managing logistics, coordinating vendors, and creating an unforgettable fan experience. Jena also shares stories from past festivals, what it's like working with major touring acts, and why Mid Summer Music Fest has become a favorite destination for rock fans across the region. You'll hear what happens behind the scenes long before the first guitar riff hits the stage, how bands are booked, what fans can expect this year, and the surprising amount of work that goes into pulling off a festival of this size with a small team. In this episode: - How Mid Summer Music Fest got started - The challenges of running a music festival with a small team - Booking national acts like Collective Soul, Nonpoint, Dorothy, Warrant, and White Lion - What attendees can expect from the camping and festival experience - The role local bands and tribute acts play in the lineup - Behind-the-scenes insights into festival production and logistics - Jena's journey from restaurant owner to festival manager - The future vision for Mid Summer Music Fest  If you're a fan of live music, rock festivals, camping, or simply curious about what it takes to build an event of this scale, you won't want to miss this episode. 👉 Watch the full episode now and get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Mid Summer Music Fest before the gates open this summer. P.S. Be sure to watch til the end, we have a surprise! Resources: 🎸 Mid Summer Music Fest 📍 Menahga, Minnesota 📅 July 23–25 🎟️ Tickets and festival information available at midsummermusicfest.com PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online

MN Music Note - Ep 41 - The Musician Behind 13 Musical Alter Egos with Craig Hecht

How does one musician create 13 different bands, write rock operas about giant mutant chickens, release music under multiple identities, and still find new ways to stay creative after nearly 60 years of making music? In this episode, I sat down with Craig Hecht, a Minnesota musician, songwriter, producer, and lifelong creative force whose journey has taken him from packed clubs with the Express Band to building his own musical universe inside Icebox Studios. We talked about the blessing and curse of being unable to turn creativity off, the stories behind his many musical alter egos, the reality of life after performing live, and why making music for yourself might be the most important lesson an artist can learn. In this episode, we talked about: - How Craig went from learning guitar at age 5 to a lifetime in music - Playing 21 years with the legendary Express Band - The hand injury that forced him to leave the stage and reinvent himself - Creating 13 musical alter egos to explore every genre imaginable - Writing ambitious rock operas, pirate sagas, and larger-than-life musical stories - Why chasing streams, followers, and algorithms can kill creativity - His honest thoughts on AI, songwriting, and the future of music If you've ever had an idea you couldn't let go of, wondered what keeps artists creating for decades, or needed a reminder to make art because you love it—not because of the numbers—this episode is going to hit home. Tune in now and discover why Craig believes the best music happens when you stop trying to fit into a box and start creating without limits. Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online

MN Music Note - Ep 40 - 5 Gigs a Week. Full-Time Job. Zero Excuses with Aly Dyg

What happens when you stop waiting for the "perfect time" and decide to go all in on your dream? In this episode of The Minnesota Music Note, Aly shares her journey from singing in her grandma's kitchen as a little girl to becoming a working musician playing multiple shows a week across Minnesota and Wisconsin.  With a growing catalog of original music, a packed performance schedule, and plans to leave her full-time job behind, Aly opens up about what it really takes to build a music career from the ground up. In this episode: • Why Aly is leaving her full-time job to pursue music full-time • How she taught herself guitar through YouTube and determination • The reality of playing up to 5 gigs a week as an independent musician • What it's like being an introvert who thrives on stage • The story behind her original songs, including "Sweet Lover" and "Death to the Nation" • Why finding the right band has been harder than expected • How she's releasing new music every month while building her career one show at a time If you've ever chased a dream, taken a risk, or wondered what it takes to make a career out of music, this conversation is for you. 🎧 Watch the full episode now and subscribe for more conversations with Minnesota musicians. Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online