The Minnesota Music Note

William McLeod

5.0 (1)
Arts

The Minnesota Music Note podcasts explores the people, places, and things that make up the Minnesota Music scene. It includes interviews with musicians, venue owners, event creators, and other facets of the fantastic music community across Minnesota.

Sep 21

MN Music Note - Ep 67 - The Guitar, The Jams & The Bands with Danny Lee Jorgensen

What happens when a kid obsessed with AC/DC grows up to become a fixture in the Minnesota rock scene? Danny Lee Jorgensen has one hell of a guitar story to tell. From air-guitaring in his bedroom and learning AC/DC riffs off DVDs to playing in multiple tribute bands, grinding at Mad Mike’s open jams, and now writing original music with Cursed by Lightning — Danny’s journey is all about chasing the music he loves. This conversation gets into the highs, the struggles, the friendships, the friendly competition, and the moments that made Danny realize he was exactly where he was supposed to be. And yes… there’s plenty of AC/DC, Judas Priest, guitar nerd talk, and rock & roll chaos along the way. In This Episode We Talked About: 🎸 Danny’s childhood obsession with AC/DC and how his dad helped spark his love of guitar. 🤘 Learning guitar by playing along with DVDs, practicing for hours, and pretending his bedroom was the stage. 🔥 How Mad Mike’s open jam became a major turning point in Danny’s musical journey. ⚡ The stories behind his different bands, including Old Voltage, Hellion, Arena, Rogue Royal, and Cursed by Lightning. 🎤 What it’s like playing iconic AC/DC and Judas Priest material — and the pressure of nailing those legendary guitar parts. 🎶 Why Cursed by Lightning became so important to Danny and how the band is moving from covers toward writing and recording original music. 🛣️ Danny’s advice to his younger self: practice more, stay open-minded, choose your heroes wisely, and keep chasing the music. Danny’s story is way more than a conversation about playing guitar — it’s about finding your people, finding your sound, and refusing to let go of the thing that made you fall in love with music in the first place. If you’ve ever spent hours in your bedroom learning riffs, dreamed about playing on stage, or found your tribe through music, you’re going to want to hear this one. 🎥 Watch the full episode and take the ride with Danny Lee Jorgensen — from bedroom AC/DC fanatic to Minnesota rock & roll veteran. If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online
Sep 18

MN Music Note - Ep 66 - From Quiet to Loud with Dave Whitmer

What happens when one of the quietest guys in the room becomes a completely different person the moment he steps on stage? Dave Whitmer has spent more than 20 years navigating the Minnesota metal scene — from discovering Iron Maiden through a dubbed cassette tape to playing in Rising Fall, becoming part of the early Epicurean story, and now holding down bass in UXIA and Imaginarium, Minnesota’s Nightwish tribute. But Dave’s story goes far beyond the music. In this episode, we talk about anxiety, finding your place in a band, the evolution of the Minnesota metal community, and a deeply personal story about coming out in a scene that wasn't always accepting. It's funny, honest, surprisingly emotional, and packed with stories from decades in the underground. In this episode we talked about: - Dave’s journey from a shy kid to a veteran of the Minnesota metal scene. - How a chance encounter with a neighbor introduced him to guitar and Metallica. - The legendary dubbed cassette that took Dave from Metallica to Iron Maiden. - His years with Rising Fall and his evolution from bass player to guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. - Why Dave eventually found his way back to bass — and how that led to UXIA and Imaginarium. - The challenge of building an original metal audience in today’s Minnesota music scene. - The contrast between Dave’s quiet, introverted personality and his intense “performance Dave” stage persona. Dave’s story is a reminder that sometimes the quietest people have the loudest stories. If you’re part of the Minnesota metal scene, a fan of Nightwish, progressive metal, or just love hearing the stories behind the musicians, you’re going to want to hear this one. Give the episode a listen, share it with a fellow metalhead, and let us know: who should Dave’s story lead us to next? If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online
Sep 14

MN Music Note - Ep 65 - A Lifetime of Singing with Becca Christensen

She’s been singing for as long as she can remember. 🎤 From singing little songs as a kid to performing church solos, joining her first band at 16, discovering Mariah Carey and learning how to really use her voice, Becca Christensen has spent a lifetime finding her place in music. In this episode, Becca gets real about growing up around music, finding confidence on stage, the bands and musicians who have shaped her journey, and what she really wants out of her next musical chapter. And underneath all the stories is something every performer can relate to: learning how to step on stage as the confident version of yourself, even when the insecure version is still standing in the wings. In this episode we talked about: 🎤 Becca singing from such a young age that she remembers singing before she remembers talking⛪ Growing up singing in church, including weddings and funerals while she was still in school🎶 How discovering Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and Celine Dion changed the way she approached singing🤘 Joining her first band, Common Ground, at just 16 and learning to perform alongside musicians twice her age🎸 Her experiences playing in different bands and what makes the Minnesota music community so special🎭 The difference between Becca’s self-conscious side and the confident person she brings out when she steps on stage👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Watching her own kids discover their musical abilities and wondering if she might have some future musicians in the family🎵 What Becca would build if she could create her ideal band, including her love for smaller, more flexible musical setupsBecca has been singing for a lifetime, and this conversation takes you through the funny, unexpected, challenging, and meaningful moments that got her here. Watch the brand-new episode of The Minnesota Music Note featuring Becca Christensen and hear her story for yourself! 🎶 If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online
Sep 10

MN Music Note - Ep 64 - From Drums to Hip-Hop with Kyle Bedbury

Some people play music. Kyle Bedbury builds his entire life around it. Drummer. Rapper. DJ. Producer. Guitar player. Promoter. Tour organizer. And somehow, he’s still finding more ways to stay busy. In Episode 64 of The Minnesota Music Note, Will sits down with Kyle Bedbury to talk about his nonstop journey through Minnesota’s music scene and how he turned a lifelong obsession with music into a life where he simply keeps finding the next opportunity. From playing drums with Motley Six and Hellrider to producing beats, rapping, DJing, buying and trading gear, and putting together his own shows, Kyle does a little bit of everything. And right now, he’s taking that independent mindset on the road with the Independent Hustle Tour, a six-show run stretching from Duluth, Minnesota to Brandon, South Dakota. Kyle breaks down what it actually takes to put a tour together, book venues, bring artists together, promote the shows, handle production, and create opportunities instead of waiting around for someone else to make them happen. In this episode we talked about: - Kyle’s journey from banging on buckets as a kid while listening to KISS to becoming the drummer he is today. - Growing up surrounded by musicians and eventually starting his own bands, including his early project Mother Earth. - How he went from drumming into the world of rap, beat-making, producing, DJing, and songwriting. - The story of how Kyle landed the drum spot with Motley Six, including the broken ankle that temporarily put everything on hold and the band’s decision to wait for him. - The Independent Hustle Tour, Kyle’s upcoming six-show run taking him from Duluth to Pine City, Minneapolis, Anoka, and all the way to Brandon, South Dakota, and what goes into making an independent tour happen. - How Kyle and his booking partners route a tour, work with venues, book local artists, provide production, promote the shows, and build their own blueprint for doing it again. - Why Kyle believes musicians need to take ownership of promoting their shows instead of expecting the venue to do all the work, and how bringing your own crowd can help get you booked again. - Kyle’s “don’t take no for an answer” mentality, his ever-growing music space, and why he plans to keep building, creating, touring, and adding to the snowball every single day. The Independent Hustle Tour is just one piece of what Kyle has going on, but it perfectly captures his mindset: don’t wait for the opportunity. Build it, promote it, and go make it happen. 🎧 Tune into Episode 64 of The Minnesota Music Note with Kyle Bedbury and hear the full conversation. If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online
Sep 7

MN Music Note - Ep 63 - Building a Metal Band From the Ground Up with Kalopsya

What does it actually take to build a metal band from the ground up? It’s not just writing heavy songs and playing shows. It’s finding the right people, surviving lineup changes, figuring out who you are as a band, and putting in the work long before anyone else is paying attention. Kalopsya takes us behind the scenes of that journey — from how the members found each other and the hilarious ways some of those connections happened, to the long search for the right drummer, the nerves of playing those first shows, and the moments that made them realize this could become something bigger. We also get into what it’s like chasing bigger stages, building a following beyond Minnesota, and turning those teenage dreams of being in a band into something real. In this episode, we talked about: How Kalopsya originally came together and found its membersThe surprisingly hilarious ways some of the band members were recruitedWhere the name Kalopsya came from and what it meansThe nearly two-year search for the right drummerThe nerves, pressure, and chaos of playing those first showsThe moments onstage that made being in a band feel realMaking their first music video and seeing years of dreams start to happenWhat’s next for Kalopsya — new music, bigger shows, touring, and expanding beyond MinnesotaThink you know what it takes to make it in a band? Hit play and hear what it really looks like behind the music. If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online
Sep 5

MN Music Note - Special EP - Valhalla Fest 3

Minneapolis is getting ready to raise some serious hell. On October 17, Minneapolis Valhalla Fest III takes over The Hook & Ladder for a full day of heavy music — 13 bands, two stages, and 10 hours of metal. And this year’s lineup is bringing some serious fire. Headlining the festival is Anders Colsefni, the original vocalist of Slipknot, performing songs from the Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat. and Crowz eras. He’ll be joined by Reaping Asmodeia, Derecho, Harsh Reality, VolsungaSaga, MotorcityHead, Glutton for Punishment, Rust Bucket, Oversoul, Domidium, Murder Curious, Witch Syndicate, and Electric Snake Oil Circus. In this special event episode, we’re getting you ready for one of Minneapolis’ biggest metal days of the year — the bands, the energy, and what you can expect when Valhalla Fest III takes over The Hook & Ladder. October 17. Minneapolis. 13 bands. 2 stages. 10 hours. If you’re into heavy music, you’re going to want to be there If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: Get tickets here for the Valhalla Fest III: https://thehookmpls.com/shows/minneapolis-valhalla-fest-iii-october-17-2026-733500/ PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online
Sep 4

MN Music Note - EP 62 - Why They Never Stopped Playing Music with Trent & TJ

What keeps you playing music when the money isn’t always there, the gigs can be hard to find, and the years keep flying by? For Trent and TJ, the answer is simple: you just don’t stop. Trent and TJ have spent years playing in bands, writing music, jamming, recording, touring, and chasing that feeling you only get when you’re making music with other people. Their journey has taken them from local gigs and open jams to some seriously unexpected moments—including Trent getting pulled onstage to play bass with Warrant and opening for Nelson. Now, they’re still making music with Shamil Burr’s Lost and Found, recording at home, releasing new material, and doing things their own way. This episode is about more than just the bands they’ve been in. It’s about why musicians keep coming back to music, even when the path isn’t always easy. 🎸 IN THIS EPISODE WE TALKED ABOUT: - How Trent and TJ first met through the local music scene - The bands, gigs, and experiences that shaped their musical journeys - Why finding places to play original music can be such a challenge - How Shamil Burr’s Lost and Found came together - Recording music at home and creating new material - The INSANE story of Trent getting pulled onstage to play bass with Warrant - What it was like opening for Nelson at the Orpheum - And ultimately… why they never stopped playing music Some musicians chase fame. Some chase money. And some just can't imagine not playing music. Trent and TJ have spent decades proving that sometimes, the real reason you keep going is simply because music is part of who you are. 🎙️ Watch EP 62 of The Minnesota Music Note now. If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online
Aug 31

MN Music Note - Ep 61 - When Music Isn’t a Hobby—It’s Something to Do w/ Jared Willemsen

What happens when music stops being something you want to do and becomes something you feel like you have to do? For Jared Willemsen, the answer is simple: you keep creating—even when the numbers don’t make sense, the path isn't clear, and success feels years away. Jared Willemsen doesn't fit neatly into one musical box—and he's not trying to. From Smile Bro and his alt-pop sound to Neon Rejects, his experimental electronic project, and A Willa, his folk-rock outlet, Jared has spent years exploring every corner of his creativity. After nearly 200 songs, thousands of dollars invested, and years of fluctuating between hundreds of monthly listeners and just a handful, he's still going. But these days, it's less about proving that "next year" will finally be the year everything takes off. It's about creating because he genuinely can't imagine not doing it. In this episode, Jared talks about finding his sound, battling the pressure to succeed, stepping outside his comfort zone as a live performer, collaborating with other artists, and chasing a dream that includes one day headlining Lollapalooza. IN THIS EPISODE WE TALKED ABOUT: - Jared's three musical projects: Smile Bro, A Willa, and Neon Rejects - Why he's spent years making music even when the numbers haven't reflected the effort - His journey from playing drums as a kid to producing and releasing nearly 200 songs - Learning music production through Ableton, sound design, live instruments, and endless experimentation - His goal of creating monthly live showcases for artists who aren't quite ready—or comfortable—to perform regularly - His collaborations on the Hyper Folk project and Fight the Gray, and why working with other artists has reignited his creativity - The challenge of finding community and belonging within the Twin Cities music scene - His ultimate musical dream: building a sustainable creative life and someday headlining Lollapalooza Jared's story is a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful creative pursuits aren't the ones that make the most sense on paper—they're the ones you simply can't stop doing. 🎧 Listen to the full episode of The Minnesota Music Note and get to know the artist behind the many sounds, projects, and ambitions of Jared Willemsen If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online

The Minnesota Music Note podcasts explores the people, places, and things that make up the Minnesota Music scene. It includes interviews with musicians, venue owners, event creators, and other facets of the fantastic music community across Minnesota.

Creator

William McLeod
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

69
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 The Minnesota Music Note
Show Website

The Minnesota Music Note