Behind The Sound

Minneapolis music legend Daniel Murphy reveals how a six-year break from guitar turned into one of the most creatively alive chapters of his career. If you love Soul Asylum, Golden Smog, or the kind of songwriting that lives in the tension between melody, mood, and truth, this conversation goes deep fast. Murphy traces the unlikely spark that brought him back into music through a tiny attic studio, a new writing partner, and a song called Paris that changed everything. From there, he breaks down how The Scarlet Goodbye found its sound with cleaner, moodier guitar tones, harmony vocals, and a deliberately spontaneous recording process that captures the energy of a first take before doubt can get in the way. You'll hear how Daniel and Jeff Arundel write together, why harmony singing matters so much to the band, and how songs like Losing the Only Game in Town, Silver Bay, and El Camino Adios balance bleakness, humor, and beauty. He also shares what it takes to shape a song for the stage, why he prefers tracking live with bleed in the room, and how his gear choices - from weird old amps to alternate tunings - keep pushing him into new territory. He also reflects on the realities of making records in the streaming era, the emotional weight of writing about Minneapolis after George Floyd, COVID, and the city’s upheavals, and why he’s now working on both a Scarlet Goodbye album and a solo project at the same time. Along the way, he talks about the White House show with Soul Asylum, the pressure and freedom of playing songs you’ll have to sing forever, and the difference between a track that sounds finished and one that still feels alive. Essential listening if you care about songwriting craft, studio chemistry, and the stories behind some of the most distinct music to come out of Minneapolis.

Kat Campbell, aka Kaatwalk, turns music, fashion, and raw life experience into a debut EP that feels both whimsical and deeply human. If you love artist stories about finding a voice, building a sound, and making art that refuses to feel polished for polish’s sake, this conversation is for you. Brian sits down with Kat for a wide-ranging, deeply personal conversation about how a runway model became a musician with a name that perfectly fits her creative identity. Kat explains why “music is my catwalk,” how style and sound feed each other, and why the most honest songs often come from the messiest moments. She also shares the childhood origins of her creativity, from crafting duct tape accessories to performing early songs for her family, and how those instincts eventually grew into a full artistic path.

She talks about writing from specific, funny, and painfully real details, weaving cello, viola, fiddle, and banjo into arrangements that carry emotional weight without losing their playful edge. Along the way, she opens up about performing with vulnerability, keeping recordings human, and why imperfection often makes a song hit harder. This episode is a reminder that creativity does not have to be neat to be powerful. It is for anyone who feels most alive when art reflects real life - the beauty, the chaos, the cats, and the coffee shop gigs. If you want a conversation about originality, self-expression, and making music that actually means something, hit play.

The Silverteens turn Minnesota rock history into a living, breathing set of songs—and the result is a rare band story that’s equal parts punk, power pop, and pure joy. Brian sits down with Mark, Steve, and Jerry to trace how a scene built around First Avenue, 7th Street Entry, and the legendary Longhorn became a band that still makes obscure classics feel brand new. The conversation explores the local venues, records, and friendships that shaped the band’s sound. Mark shares the story of directing the 2019 Longhorn documentary and reconnecting with the Minneapolis scene that changed his life. Steve and Jerry talk about the records that inspired them, from the Ramones and the Jam to the Plimsouls and the Romantics, along with surf, garage rock, and deep-cut singles that still resonate. Hear how the Silverteens formed, why they chose lesser-known covers over obvious hits, and how that approach helped lead to an LP full of originals. The band also discusses making TV on Fire—from its title track and videos to the story behind “Don’t Burn Your Bridges.”For fans of Minneapolis music, underground rock history, and the songs and friendships that keep musicians coming back, this episode is a celebration of the scene and the band it helped create.

Silver Summer’s Colin Scharf turns a long, DIY, pandemic-stalled record into a full-length debut with Die of Love - and the story behind it is as dramatic, specific, and unexpectedly cinematic as the music itself. If you love indie rock with big hooks, vivid lyrics, and vinyl-era intention, this one is for you. Brian sits down with Scharf to unpack the relief of finally releasing his first full-length, first vinyl album, and first self-produced project after years of tracking, mixing, and rebuilding the path to launch.

Colin also shares the story behind the wildly inventive “Ghost” video, how a ghost-rave concept came together with photographer and filmmaker Arika Rowe, and why Silver Summer keeps leaning into campy, themed visuals that make each show feel like an event. If you’ve ever wondered how an independent band builds a record that feels both personal and theatrical, this conversation goes deep on the process.

Ryan Sexton of Customers joins Behind the Sound to talk about the winding road from theater and acting to music, the messy and surprising process of songwriting, and the stories behind Living Like Gods. From saving lyric ideas in a pocket notebook to shaping a five-song release with no filler, Ryan shares how songs evolve—and why the finished track can sound nothing like the first idea. He also reflects on opening for Iggy Pop, making music as an independent artist, and finding connection through live shows. Listen to the conversation, then check out Living Like Gods by Customers.

Three fiddles, one guitar, and a sound that crosses musical boundaries.

In this episode of Behind the Sound, Brian sits down with Rachel, Hannah , and Maura of Triple Fiddle to explore the group’s distinctive blend of bluegrass, jazz, Scandinavian folk, chamber music, and honky-tonk. The musicians share how Triple Fiddle grew from a jam session into a full-fledged group, how they bring their individual musical voices together, and why careful listening matters when three fiddles share the spotlight. Hannah talks about taking on the guitar role and growing as a player, while Rachel and Maura discuss improvisation, arranging, and drawing on their classical and folk backgrounds. They also get into the band’s hybrid recording process, the onstage cues that keep performances flowing, and the joy of playing in a rare all-women ensemble. Along the way, the group reflects on musical growth, creative teamwork, and what audiences say when they hear Triple Fiddle for the first time. If you love acoustic music, inventive arrangements, and musicians who make collaboration part of the performance, this conversation is for you. Find Triple Fiddle online at triplefiddle.com and on social media as

@triplefiddle

.

A debut album 40 years in the making, a self-portrait on the cover, and a story about why local live music still matters. Peter, aka Spike, shares how Spike and the Gandy Dancers turned decades of songs into a bold, fully realized release that’s as personal as it is ambitious. Brian digs into the origin of the band name, the psychology behind Spike’s nickname, and the creative leap from writing “pretty little songs” at home to building them into a full production with Minneapolis music veteran John Munson. Along the way, Peter opens up about his background as a therapist and teacher, and how years spent telling stories shaped the way he writes lyrics that stick. You’ll discover how songs like Be Here Now, What You’re Gonna Be, Magic Carpet Car, and Teardrops in Paris took shape, why a tuba, accordion, Hammond B3, and even “whale songs” ended up on the record, and how family became part of the process through his son’s musical and design contributions. Peter also reveals the DIY reality of independent artistry—from painting the album art and building the gatefold package to watching the vinyl pressings himself and assembling the records by hand. This episode also explores the emotional core of the project: recovery, memory, loss, and the power of music to make people feel seen. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to make the record, start the band, or bring an old creative dream to life, this conversation is for you. Perfect for listeners who love indie music, behind-the-scenes album stories, and the kind of honest creative advice that makes you want to pick up your own unfinished project and finally get it heard.

The difference between a song that lands and a song that disappears often comes down to one thing - who’s behind the glass. Gary Spencer breaks down how great records are really made, from the first shaky bedroom session to the kind of production decisions that can completely reshape a track. If you make music, sing, write songs, or just love hearing how records come together, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what a producer actually does - and why the best ones are part engineer, part coach, part psychologist, and part creative partner.

The hardest part of releasing your art is not writing it - it's letting the people closest to you hear it before you know whether it lands. Matthew opens up about the vulnerability of sharing his first songs with friends and family, the gut-punch of getting a flat reaction, and the moment a producer’s belief changed everything. Brian draws out the emotional turning point behind Matthew’s early music journey, from the first live performance of Sweet Sound with a tiny band called Someone's Keys to the anxious question every creator asks: if I gave my best work to people I love, what would it mean if they didn't connect with it? You’ll hear how Matthew turned one song into the seed of an album, how ideas for tracks like Lonely With You began with conversations and quick notes worth saving, and why the right collaborator can unlock confidence that no amount of self-talk can provide. He shares how producer Elijah Hamilton responded before they even met, sending detailed feedback that went far beyond polite encouragement and helped him see he had something real. We break down:

• Why sharing unfinished art can feel more intimidating than performing it

• The difference between empty praise and feedback that actually builds momentum

• How a single meaningful response from a producer can reshape an artist’s self-belief

• Why early rejection, even from close friends, can stall creative work for years

• What happens when your circle becomes your first audience and your biggest source of courage

If you’ve ever hesitated to put your work in front of people, this conversation will feel familiar. It’s about the emotional cost of creating honestly, and the surprising power of finding the right people who can hear what you’re trying to say before the rest of the world does. Essential listening for musicians, songwriters, and anyone wrestling with the fear of being seen before they feel ready.

Three musicians, one basement, and a debut album years in the making - Stone Arch Rivals prove that the best bands are built on chemistry, not shortcuts. Claire Spinti, Morgan Ranstrom, and Jenna bring the full story of how a Minneapolis jam session turned into a soulful rock and roll collective with a sound that fuses rich grooves, heartfelt songwriting, live instrumentation, and the kind of voice that stops you in your tracks. What started as covers and experimentation became something much bigger once the missing pieces fell into place. Claire shares how adult jam-band culture at Twin Town Guitars reignited her love of performance, Morgan opens up about stepping into lead guitar and finding his voice inside the band, and Jenna reveals how bass became the instrument she always heard first - plus how her classical violin background shaped the way she approaches music now.