MN Music Note - Ep 35 - How James Flagg Took Tribute Bands to Another Level

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

The Minnesota Music Note - Ep 39 - Studio Owner, Gear Addict & Metalhead Will Maravelas

Think running a recording studio was always part of the plan? Think again. This week on The Minnesota Music Note, we sit down with Will Maravelas — musician, studio owner, gear addict, content creator, and the man behind 1459 Studios. What started as a side project that was never supposed to succeed somehow turned into one of Minnesota's most respected recording studios. From discovering Stevie Ray Vaughan as a kid, to building a career around music, recording hundreds of bands, obsessing over guitars, and accidentally eating Insane Clown Posse's backstage catering, Will shares the stories, lessons, and laughs that have shaped his journey through the Minnesota music scene. In this episode: • The real story behind how 1459 Studios got its name • Why the studio was originally created expecting it to fail • How Stevie Ray Vaughan inspired Will to pick up a guitar • The truth about expensive guitars and million-dollar gear • Why musicians need to leave their egos at the door • How COVID unexpectedly helped launch his YouTube channel • The hilarious backstage story that led to meeting Violent J from ICP Whether you're a musician, gear nerd, studio owner, or just someone who loves hearing how creative careers actually get built, this episode is packed with great stories and honest insights from someone who's spent decades living and breathing music. 🎸 Watch the full episode now and hear the incredible story of the studio owner, gear addict, and metalhead behind 1459 Studios. Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online

MN Music Note - Ep 38 - From Small-Town Minnesota to the Metal Stage: The Story of Slag

What does it take to keep a metal band alive when every show starts with a 3-4 hour drive? In this episode of The Minnesota Music Note, Will sits down with the members of Slag, a thrash metal band proving that passion, persistence, and a love for heavy music can overcome just about any obstacle. From growing up in small-town Minnesota to building a name in the state's underground metal scene, the band shares hilarious stories, musical influences, the challenges of life on the road, and what it's really like chasing a music dream far from the Twin Cities. You'll hear how Slag ended up in the same band, why they walked away from cover gigs to focus on original music, and how they've spent nearly a decade carving out their place in Minnesota's metal community. Along the way, they share stories about memorial shows, local music legends, songwriting inspiration, and the future of Minnesota thrash. In this episode, we talked about: • Growing up in Montevideo, Minnesota and driving hours just to play shows • How Slag evolved from a cover band into an original thrash metal act • The band's biggest musical influences, from Guns N' Roses and Pantera to Slipknot and beyond • Writing songs about everything from politics to dinosaur invasions • The reality of keeping a band together for nearly 10 years • Building connections in Minnesota's underground metal scene • Their upcoming music, future shows, and what's next for Slag If you're a fan of heavy music, independent artists, Minnesota's local music scene, or stories about musicians who refuse to quit, this is an episode you won't want to miss. 🎸 Watch now, subscribe to The Minnesota Music Note, and discover why bands like Slag are helping keep Minnesota metal alive and thriving. Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online