Behind the Sound Board with Berkeley Tistle

How the Pyramid Scheme Became One of Michigan's Most Beloved Music Venue in 15 Years

Most venues kill their best moments by overcomplicating booking and promotion — Nate Dorough [https://www.linkedin.com/in/natedorough]of The Pyramid Scheme [https://pyramidschemebar.com/] reveals exactly how they keep crowds sold out and the community thriving, even in the toughest times. Imagine booking 250+ shows annually and managing an ecosystem where every detail, from artist research to innovative front bar events, plays a critical role in creating unforgettable nights — all while adapting to post-pandemic challenges. Nate shares insider tactics for leveraging analytics, harnessing community loyalty, and building a venue culture where bands like Failure [https://www.failureband.com/], Melvins [https://www.themelvins.net/], and Jeff Rosenstock feel at home. You’ll discover how data-driven research helps booking decisions, why organic promotion still rules, and the importance of authenticity in today’s live music scene. We break down the behind-the-scenes magic of tour routing, hold challenges, and the art of making sold-out shows seem effortless — even when you’re balancing rising costs and unpredictable audiences. Plus, get the scoop on innovative events like vinyl nights, free pinball, and special tribute evenings that turn regular nights into community celebrations. Whether you’re a venue owner, promoter, or a passionate fan, you’ll learn how to craft a space that becomes a cultural cornerstone, especially amid worldwide chaos. This episode is essential listening if you want to understand what makes a venue not just survive but thrive, turning every show into a memorable experience that builds loyalty and community—no matter what storms come. Nate Dorough’s insights cut through the noise, helping you see how powerful a well-managed venue can be in shaping local music culture. Nate Dorough is the Director of Programming at The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids, known for cultivating a vibrant music scene, legendary shows, and a community-first philosophy. With over 20 years of experience promoting thousands of concerts, he’s a master at balancing artistic integrity, community needs, and business savvy. Perfect for venue operators, promoters, musicians, and music lovers alike — tune in to unlock the secrets behind one of America’s most beloved independent venues and how they keep the spirit alive in every note and ticket sold.

Behind the Sound Board with Berkeley Tistle

Episode: Interview with Berkeley Tistle Audio Engineer | Recorded at Gig: The Art of Michigan Music – Jackson, MI We stepped away from the stage and behind the sound board at GIG: The Art of Michigan Music [https://www.gigartmich.org/] in Jackson, Michigan, to sit down with Berkeley Tistle [https://www.linkedin.com/in/berkeley-tistle-a5817a163/]— a live sound engineer with nearly a decade of experience working across Michigan, from small local stages to the iconic Masonic Temple [https://www.themasonic.com/] in Detroit. Berkeley shares how it all started with a giant Yamaha mixing desk in his high school theater program, and how that moment of curiosity turned into a full-time career. We get into what it actually looks like to run sound for a live show — the prep, the problem-solving, the late nights, and the art of anticipating everything going wrong and nothing going wrong at the same time. In this episode: * How Berkeley got his start in high school theater and why the mixing desk caught his eye * The difference between studio recording and live sound — and why live won him over * What it's like to work out of venues like Detroit's Masonic Temple (and why you should bring a buddy if you wander) * How he preps for a show with artists he's never worked with before * What musicians can do to make a sound engineer's job easier (communication is everything) * How years of working live shows changed his personal taste in music — including a New Year's run with Excision that converted him to heavy EDM * How gigs are booked and what the business side of audio looks like Artists mentioned: Carbon Decoy [https://www.facebook.com/carbon.decoy.band/], Paper Lanterns [https://www.facebook.com/PaperLanternsMi/], Mazinga [https://www.facebook.com/MazingaA2/], Chris DuPont [https://www.chrisdupontmusic.com/], Kylee Phillips [https://www.kyleephillips.com/], Kyle Joe [https://www.facebook.com/KyleJoeMusic/], Spencer LaJoye [https://www.spencerlajoye.com/], Excision [https://excision.ca/] Venues mentioned: Masonic Temple Detroit, The Russell (Detroit) [https://www.russellindustrialcenter.com/], Bliss Fest [https://blissfest.org/pages/blissfest-music-festival]

LIPSEY and Chima: Why Change Is the Key to Survival and Growth in Life and Music

Most emerging artists face a relentless struggle to turn their passion into a livelihood—until they discover the secret ingredient that transforms adversity into advantage. LIPSEY [https://www.instagram.com/mtb.lipsey] and Chinma [https://linktr.ee/iamchinma?fbclid=IwY2xjawRyfnJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFzcU1DVkljeENwSTVXU0lOc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvi-2_XdKGJ_SeKja84qj39JFS3OCWDIlXIXgdlj3JWHdPNCg3RJE6T2WYur_aem_oCGrbISxkf2jGYu0SvUzwA] reveal the raw truth about balancing artistry with real-world pressures, from hitting creative deadlines for the first time to navigating the hustle of building momentum in a saturated industry. In this episode, you'll discover how to handle the stress of impending release dates without losing your voice, the importance of team collaboration in making big artistic moves, and why embracing losses—as part of the process—can catapult your growth. Chinma shares his journey of transforming childhood passions for film and music into a full-time hustle, emphasizing the power of community, mentorship, and relentless perseverance. LIPSEY's story highlights the necessity of change—how evolving perspectives and pushing through the fear of failure can lead to breakthroughs and authentic success. We break down tangible frameworks like the "Beautiful Struggle," a mindset that turns obstacles into stepping stones, and discuss why nobody truly succeeds solo. LIPSEY and Chinma emphasize that help, mentorship, and genuine relationships are crucial to scaling your artistic impact. Their conversations illuminate why 'self-made' is a myth; success is built on collective effort, humility, and unlearning limiting beliefs. This episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to advance in their creative journey. If you’re ready to see setbacks as setups for a comeback, and if you want real insights on evolving as an artist and human, this conversation will inspire and equip you to level up. Perfect for aspiring musicians, content creators, and entrepreneurs who understand that growth demands change—and that the true victory lies in resilience, community, and continuous learning. Tune in, get inspired, and remember: The winner is just a loser who didn’t give up. Note: Lipsey is a Kalamazoo rapper known for his authentic approach and impactful storytelling, while Chinma is a multi-talented artist, videographer, and collaborator shaping Michigan’s vibrant music scene. Mentions 1. Helluva: A producer from Detroit who has worked with LIPSEY. LIPSEY is the first artist to have a full body of work with him, and Helluva has produced and engineered his upcoming album. 2. Aaliyah and Timbaland: Mentioned by Chinma as major influences in his musical journey, alongside Daft Punk. 3. Daft Punk: Also cited by Chinma as a significant influence, contributing to his unconventional ear for music. 4. Yayo: Collaborating with Chinma on a project, with a song called "Bringing a Friend" set to release soon. 5. Obie: Chinma gives a shout-out to his older brother, Obie, for introducing him to music production. 6. NPE CAL [https://open.spotify.com/artist/1rRpcQ3oZgTXF0948Ova7R]: Mentioned by Chinma as part of the team that helped him create amazing work. 7. Sherdizzil [https://www.instagram.com/1ofmanytalents/], aka Sheridan Harris: Also acknowledged by Chinma for contributing to his projects

Riot Course: Guitar Music Done Right – Post-Grunge, Emo & Beyond

In this episode we sit down with the four members of Riot Course [https://linktr.ee/riotcourse?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=8bcfcfd2-5be1-4278-b75e-857f3eb8040e&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAb21jcAQVnA1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA81NjcwNjczNDMzNTI0MjcAAadHsgqK6unkmnzJf-sLOCkuxoLWob5in9jKWL_lgk6C289qVueo0REqYu6eCg_aem_-sGYS-DH2JM_fnyV_dueaw] — Kate Emrich, Spencer Haithcock, Mark Losey, and Nathan Vogt — for a wide-ranging conversation about the band's evolution, their newly released EP, and the tight-knit DIY community that holds it all together. Riot Course is a Southeast Michigan band rooted primarily in Ypsilanti, with Nathan repping Toledo, Ohio. Kate and Spencer are founding members who have been building the project for about five years, releasing their first EP in 2020 and a second (Skin Deep) in 2022. Their third EP, "Before You Can Say Knife", dropped in October 2025 and marks the first full recording with the current four-piece lineup. The band recorded it at I/O Studio [https://www.iodetroit.com/] in Detroit with engineer Patrick Sheffield, and the results clearly impressed — even casual previews had friends immediately asking where it was recorded. The conversation also covers the band's pragmatic approach to writing and rehearsing across different sites — mixing sessions at Grove Studios [https://grovestudios.space/] in Ypsilanti, renting warehouse space from friendly building owners, and trading riffs in apartments with acoustic guitars and small amps. Their recent show at The Pyramid Scheme [https://pyramidschemebar.com/] in Grand Rapids (with Pretty Sure, Ficus, and Low Phase) will mark their first time playing the beloved venue, though both Kate and Spencer have been attending shows there for years — and Kate even credits The Pyramid Scheme show as the night she and Spencer first really connected. The episode winds down with favorite venues (a tie between Ziggy's [https://www.ziggysypsistore.com/] and the Olympia skate shop warehouse in Detroit, with Nathan giving a nod to a DIY spot in Bowling Green called Girl House), a spirited pizza debate (New York vs. Chicago vs. Detroit styles), a digression into New York's Anti-Rat Day of Action, and excitement over the brand-new Sheetz opening in Ypsilanti — which the band confirmed they were heading to immediately after the stream.

From Broken Windows to Milestone Moments: Inside Low Phase's Homemade Studio Journey

Most bands settle for sounding like everyone else — this band’s evolution might change your entire view of live music. Caleb, John, and Miles from Low Phase pull back the curtain on their journey from teenage bandmates to pioneers in DIY recording, fighting against industry norms, and redefining what intimacy on stage really means. In this candid chat, they reveal how self-producing their latest album has unlocked rawer, heavier sounds—think shoegaze meets distorted guitars—without the studio constraints. You'll discover how a broken window led to an unforgettable story, the secret behind their color-changing cups, and practical insights into modern live performance strategies like integrating backing tracks and managing costs as an indie band. They break down the brutal reality of earning $200 for two-thousand-person shows, and why they’re committed to reinvesting every penny into their craft—an inspiring reminder that passion doesn’t always pay the bills, but it keeps the music alive. Plus, you'll learn why their beloved hometown venue, the Pyramid Scheme, is more than just a stage—it's a symbol of roots and community that fuels their growth.