Sullivan’s Backstage Pass welcomes Portland-based musician, composer, and Norse-mythology-loving creator Justin Radford of Väinämöinen Studios for a lively deep dive into the craft and heart of making music. In this episode, we explore how his passion for myth, storytelling, and sound design shapes his work, including the rock musical he built around Norse legends and the Finnish demigod whose name now inspires his studio.​Together we unpack music theory in an accessible way, talk about timing and groove as living, breathing elements, and dig into how audience participation can transform a performance from a show into a shared experience. We also talk about the sheer love of music—where it starts, how it grows, and why it keeps pulling Justin back to create new worlds in sound. Whether you geek out on arrangements and rhythm or just love being carried away by a great song, this conversation invites you backstage into Justin’s creative universe.