Secrets From The Scene

About Secrets From The Scene

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.

Publisher

Stephen Helvig | Helvig Productions

Category

music

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

5 Sept 2023

Latest episode

2 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

101 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Sept 2026

   Ep. 100: How Durry Built a World Fans Want to Be Part Of

   Going viral is one thing. What do you do the next morning? How do you turn a moment of internet attention into fans who stick around, buy the merch, come to shows, and care about the next record? And how do you keep feeding the internet without letting the algorithm dictate what your band becomes? For episode 100, Austin and Taryn from Durry break down one of the most impressive modern DIY band operations to come out of Minnesota in recent years. We get into the strategy behind Durry’s incredibly cohesive world, from the songs and signature yellow to DIY videos, social media, merch, Easter eggs, and a live show involving thrift-store TVs, programmed lights, Super Smash Bros., and an inflatable tube man. More importantly, they explain the work behind making all of that feel effortless. We talk about recognizing a viral moment and moving fast, learning new skills as you need them, knowing when DIY is helping or hurting, protecting your voice from the algorithm, and the financial reality of building a successful independent band. In this episode: What Durry did immediately after “Who’s Laughing Now” went viral, including the merch decision that helped fund everything that followed Why a unified creative vision, ruthless self-editing, and knowing what feels “Durry” matter more than having unlimited resources How they think about social media as a funnel, from millions of views on a ridiculous Sprite video to deeply committed fans Why DIY still has to be good, and how limitations, used gear, trial and error, and learning new skills have shaped their aesthetic Building a live show that extends the Durry world instead of simply putting four musicians onstage The less glamorous economics behind touring, merch, vans, streaming, and trying to make a sustainable life in music Subscribe to the newsletter (https://secretsfromthescene.com/#newsletter) for new episodes and practical ideas from the people making the Twin Cities music scene work. Secrets From The Scene is made by Helvig Productions (https://helvigproductions.com/?ref=sfts-show-notes), a Twin Cities recording studio for artists and bands. Durry – “Who’s Laughing Now” Official Music Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9z0X5895Ec&utm_source=chatgpt.com) Durry – “This Movie Sucks” Official Music Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5sBJI1pQCQ&utm_source=chatgpt.com) Coyote Kid – Austin’s previous band (https://coyotekidmusic.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Official Website (https://www.durrymusic.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Instagram @durrymusic (https://www.instagram.com/durrymusic/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCogmVjRBuoZnnJiQr-PHCOA?utm_source=chatgpt.com) “idk i just work here” by Durry 🎧 Listen on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/track/7cBOdxAVAXoQxewAGfPAX7?si=89ef3f3f16614900) 👀 Watch on YouTube (https://youtu.be/xcEvNwQ7v-U?si=kTgIIIr64WNeu5dp) Episode Links and MentionsConnect with the GuestFeatured Song

2. 

   19 Aug 2026

   Ep. 99: After the Viral Hit. How Joshua Schmidt Built a Sustainable Music Career

   What happens after your band gets the breakout moment every artist is chasing? For Joshua Schmidt, Step Rockets’ “Kisser” went viral in 2013, eventually racking up more than 14 million streams and bringing label interest, national touring, major festivals, and opportunities to open for artists like Bon Jovi and Blondie. But the bigger story might be what Josh built after that initial wave of momentum. Today, his career stretches across solo and corporate gigs, sync licensing, songwriting, production, his Americana project Cryote, and audio and podcast work outside the traditional music industry. Instead of relying on one project to make everything work, Josh has spent years piecing together a sustainable career from a lot of different skills. We get into: What happened when “Kisser” suddenly went viral and record labels started calling Why Step Rockets walked away from bad deals and kept ownership of their music How Josh built a solo gigging business, including corporate and private events The professionalism, networking, and massive repertoire it takes to get called back What musicians should understand about sync licensing, briefs, volume, and the impact of AI Why Cryote gave Josh a completely different creative outlet and how alternate versions can extend the life of a release We also talk about brutal showcases, strange gigs, self-awareness, music school, home recording, knowing when a song isn’t ready, and why being willing to pivot may be one of the most important skills a working musician can develop. Josh’s career is a good reminder that making music work rarely looks like one clean upward trajectory. Sometimes the better strategy is building enough skills, relationships, and income streams that you can keep making music long after the initial hype disappears. Full show notes, links, & mentions (https://secretsfromthescene.com/99) Interested in working with us on your next song? 👋 ⁠https://helvigproductions.com/letsconnect⁠ (https://helvigproductions.com/letsconnect) Connect with the Guest: 🔗 Cryote (https://www.cryotemusic.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 🔗 Step Rockets (https://www.steprockets.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 🔗 Joshua J Schmidt (https://www.joshuajschmidt.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) -Website 🔗 Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/joshuajschmidt/) Featured Song: “Wide Eyed” by Cryote 🎧 Listen on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/track/0sXb8Z5GxQBImfI5nWWvLE?si=d69455720c814a52)👀 Watch on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RncnCz79nBg&list=OLAK5uy_lTb3ZD3ucIyxKDFP0RUW3UJ1zI2Oi4Czg&index=1) 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 (mailto:stephen@secretsfromthescene.com) 💬 Suggest a guest or topic: ⁠⁠⁠podcast@secretsfromthescene.com⁠⁠⁠ (mailto: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, Joey Biehn, and Zach Howard. I'm forever grateful. And thank YOU, for listening. Theme Music: "Thankful" Courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠LUEDVIG⁠⁠⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Zj7gsA0rAKgUEecQpTPLh?si=uvrRfXAFQ_WHFGW1RN8gSQ)

3. 

   6 Aug 2026

   Ep. 98: It’s Not a Party. What It Takes to Build a Touring Audio Career with Joey Vesuvius

   A lot of people want the touring career. Fewer understand the early load-ins, five-show weeks, bus sleep, professional discipline, and years of relationships that make it possible. Professional front-of-house audio engineer Joey Vesuvius returns to the podcast after nearly two years in Los Angeles, international tours, major festivals, and a move back home to Minnesota. With Max Greene hosting, Joey breaks down how he went from corporate audio and local production work to touring with artists including Passion Pit, Danny Brown, Russ, JPEGMAFIA, MIKE, Keshi, and others. They also get honest about the parts of career growth that are harder to see from the outside. Moving to LA accelerated Joey’s network and created new opportunities, but the cost, workload, and burnout eventually forced him to reconsider what he actually wanted his life to look like. In this episode: When moving to a major music city can accelerate your career, and when it may be premature How stagehand work, corporate audio, and genuine relationships led Joey into touring A real hour-by-hour breakdown of a day running sound for Passion Pit Why reputation, professionalism, and knowing when to lock in determine who gets called back How touring professionals manage exhaustion, isolation, health, and the temptation to treat every night like a party Why great audio still begins with fundamentals, not expensive gear, secret tricks, or paywalled information Joey’s path is not a formula, but it offers an honest look at the choices, relationships, and habits that helped him move from local production gigs to arenas, international festivals, and two sold-out shows at Red Rocks. For anyone trying to build a sustainable career in live music, this episode is both a reality check and a reminder to appreciate how far you have already come. Full show notes, links, & mentions (https://secretsfromthescene.com/98) Interested in working with us on your next song? 👋 ⁠https://helvigproductions.com/letsconnect⁠ (https://helvigproductions.com/letsconnect) Connect with the Guest: 🔗 Joey on IG (https://www.instagram.com/joey.vesuvius/) 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 (mailto:stephen@secretsfromthescene.com) 💬 Suggest a guest or topic: ⁠⁠⁠podcast@secretsfromthescene.com⁠⁠⁠ (mailto: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, Joey Biehn, and Zach Howard. I'm forever grateful. And thank YOU, for listening. Theme Music: "Thankful" Courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠LUEDVIG⁠⁠⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Zj7gsA0rAKgUEecQpTPLh?si=uvrRfXAFQ_WHFGW1RN8gSQ)

Who has been a guest on Secrets From The Scene

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Ryan Smith
• Julian Green
• Nick Tveitbakk

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

138,479

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

4.8 / 5

19 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 66 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

71

Social presence

0

YouTube

82

Engagement

71

Contact Secrets From The Scene

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Secrets From The Scene