Mitten Music

Mitten Music

Discovering what goes into making the local music scene possible in the great state of Michigan. Episodes include interviews with local bands/artists, industry experts, venues, recording studios, and anything else that contributes to the success of music in the Mitten state. In addition, each episode will wrap up with a few songs from artists highlighted in our discussion.

  1. Oct 8

    W. Zachary Taylor: Why Followers Matter Less Than Engagement in Music Today

    Music industry veteran ⁠W. Zachary Taylor⁠ says the biggest shift in artist success isn’t just streaming, it’s what happens when followers stop mattering and engagement becomes everything. If you care about building a real music career in the age of AI, this conversation will change how you think about fan bases, visibility, and what actually drives revenue.Taylor brings decades of experience across music production, publishing, artist development, and education to this conversation from the ⁠Michigan Music Econ Summit⁠ in Grand Rapids. He shares how growing up in Michigan and spending formative years around some of music’s most iconic hometowns shaped his path from running a traditional music store to becoming department chair of entertainment and music business at ⁠Full Sail University⁠.You'll discover: Why the industry may be moving from follower counts to true audience interest and engagementHow super fans are defined by more than support online, and why spending still mattersWhy today’s artists can’t disappear for a year between albums the way they once didWhat streaming, MP3 piracy, and AI are doing to music revenue and discoveryHow artists can use AI as a tool without replacing the human creativity that makes music valuableTaylor also breaks down the tension between innovation and authenticity, from auto-tune to AI-generated music and visuals. He makes a strong case for why human connection, live performance, and real artistry may become even more important as technology gets louder.W. Zachary Taylor is the department chair of entertainment and music business at Full Sail University, with a background in music production, publishing, studio work, and artist development. He teaches students how to turn creative talent into sustainable careers.Essential listening if you’re an artist, manager, music student, or anyone trying to understand where the business of music is headed next.

    W. Zachary Taylor: Why Followers Matter Less Than Engagement in Music Today

  2. Oct 1

    How Rosie Cusack Built a Creative Career Without Picking One Lane

    Rosie Cusack has built a creative career that spans music education, stage management, voice acting, and audiobook narration. At the Michigan Music Econ Summit, she talks about leaving the classroom, finding new opportunities, and staying connected to music through collaboration. Rosie shares what stage management at Saint Cecilia Music Center involves, how COVID changed music education, and how her interest in animation voice acting grew into audiobook work. She also discusses meeting indie authors at comic cons and book fairs, writing original music, and why collaboration matters to her creative process. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Rosie’s path from teaching music in Grand Rapids Public Schools to stage management and voice workHow educators adapted to virtual music classes and became audio producersThe behind-the-scenes work that helps live performances run smoothlyHow networking with authors led to audiobook opportunitiesThe role collaboration plays in Rosie’s songwriting and creative life A conversation for musicians, educators, voice actors, and anyone exploring a creative career that doesn’t fit neatly into one lane.

    How Rosie Cusack Built a Creative Career Without Picking One Lane

  3. Sep 24

    Why The Mannequins Prepare for Battle of the Bands by Watching Sports and Rocky

    Most bands try to look cool. The Mannequins show up in full gym-bro uniforms, laugh their way into a Battle of the Bands final, and still make a serious case for why live music should feel unpredictable, communal, and alive. If you care about new rock bands, West Michigan music, or the weird magic of a great set, this one is for you. Grant, Luke, and Carter from The Mannequins join the conversation fresh off their win in the previous round and heading into the finals at The Stray. What starts with playful confusion about sports turns into a sharp, funny look at how a band balances goofiness onstage with songs that still hit with real emotional weight. You'll discover: Why The Mannequins deliberately keep their live shows loose, spontaneous, and different every nightHow watching sports and Rocky became part of their battle prepWhy songs they wrote as teenagers are still in the set list todayHow their music evolved from basement jams and original ideas instead of the usual cover-band routeWhy they believe West Michigan's scene is a rare, sweet spot for artists and fans alike Grant opens up about music being core to his identity, while Luke and Carter talk about the band's early days, the original spark that formed The Mannequins, and the decision to keep songs changing over time instead of locking them into a recording. They also break down what makes the Grand Rapids-Holland corridor such a strong place to build a band, from the size of the scene to the community around it. We also get a tour of the bands they respect most right now, including Julie's Bones, Paper Sound, Smothers, Secret Satan, and New Troy, plus a few unexpectedly perfect side quests involving costumes, live energy, and the eternal question of whether very small shorts help or hurt your chances in a battle. Image Courtesy of Isabel Dowell

    Why The Mannequins Prepare for Battle of the Bands by Watching Sports and Rocky

  4. Sep 17

    Michigan Music Initiative: Building a Stronger Michigan Music Community through Music Awards

    Michigan music has a visibility problem, and this episode shows how one grassroots team is trying to fix it. Matthew Rose and Jessica are building the Michigan Music Awards to replace competition with collaboration, spotlight homegrown talent, and keep the state’s best artists from getting overlooked. They share how the idea started in a living-room conversation, why the Michigan scene needed a culture shift, and how their award show at the Aretha Franklin Jazz Cafe is becoming a real platform for local musicians. You’ll hear how they turned a list of 10 contacts into a network of 500, why member-driven voting matters, and how they’re making sure the awards reflect the work—not just popularity. Matthew Rose is a musician at heart and one of the driving forces behind the Michigan Music Initiative, a grassroots effort built to champion Michigan artists and strengthen the state’s music ecosystem. Jessica brings the supportive partnership and practical momentum behind the mission, helping turn an idea into an organization with events, memberships, and a growing statewide presence. If you care about Michigan music, independent artists, or what it looks like to build something meaningful from the ground up, this conversation is essential listening. It’s a reminder that the best scenes are built when people stop competing and start lifting each other up.

    Michigan Music Initiative: Building a Stronger Michigan Music Community through Music Awards

  5. Sep 10

    Keala Venema and Jacki Daniels at the Michigan Music Econ Summit

    Two Michigan artists walk into a room at the Michigan Music Econ Summit and spark an entertaining conversation about modern music careers, collaboration, and finding your place in the scene. Multi-instrumentalist Keala Venema and pop country singer-songwriter Jacki Daniels share stories that are funny, revealing, and useful for anyone building a career in music. Jacki talks about her journey from progressive rock into pop country, her work hosting songwriter showcases across Michigan, and how performing at South by Southwest (SXSW) became a career highlight. She also shares the unforgettable story of being mistaken for another Jacquie Daniels at the Grand Ole Opry—and what happened when the two musicians met again. Keala discusses her many creative projects, including Future Time String Band, Whorled, and Candid Antics, as well as her work as a music educator. She explains the roots of old-time music and bluegrass, the time-traveler concept behind her string band, and how her original music draws inspiration from nature, migration, and the world around us. Together, the guests explore the importance of community, collaboration, adaptability, and staying open to unexpected opportunities. From judging live music competitions to curating showcases and developing original projects, this episode offers a lively look at how musicians build momentum in today’s industry.

    Keala Venema and Jacki Daniels at the Michigan Music Econ Summit

  6. Sep 3

    Marley Kaye: Why the Best Shows Happen When Everyone Actually Listens

    Marley Kaye is a sound engineer and musician who helps lead the live audio team at The Stray, one of the rare listening-room venues where every detail matters. She also records at home, collaborates with her dad on bigger production work, teaches guitar, and performs her own music as marsfade and with The Temperances. We break down how she went from house shows and “worst garbage gear” to becoming the first audio engineer hired at The Stray, why consistency behind the board makes every show better, and what it takes to keep a six-person team running smoothly when everyone is also touring, freelancing, or traveling. Marley also shares what makes open band night thrilling, why she loves the pressure of being ready for anything, and how walkie talkies and a stage manager can save a sold-out night. You’ll also hear what makes The Stray different from a typical venue, why a true listening room changes everything for both the crowd and the engineer, and why Marley still gets emotional when a band sounds incredible. If you care about live sound, DIY music scenes, teaching, recording, or building a creative life around what you love, this conversation is packed with real-world insight. Marley also opens up about her upcoming seven-song marsfade EP, the challenge of writing from lived experience, and why her best songs always come from actually living through something first. It’s an honest, funny, and surprisingly moving look at what it means to make a life in music without losing the spark.

    Marley Kaye: Why the Best Shows Happen When Everyone Actually Listens

  7. Aug 27

    How One DIY Promoter Built Fuzz Fest With No Sign-Up Sheet

    Chris Taylor has spent decades turning rock obsession into a living, breathing scene and Fuzz Fest is the proof. If you love DIY music, underground bands, or the kind of festival where the lineup is curated by taste instead of algorithms, this conversation is your backstage pass. Chris joins Jeff and Ryan to break down how Fuzz Fest grew from a 33-band, two-stage experiment into a beloved annual rock marathon at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor. He shares why he started the festival in the first place, what it takes to keep it running almost entirely by hand, and how a handful of local connections became a full-blown destination for bands and fans who want the real thing. Chris also digs into the return of Blue Snaggletooth, the stoner rock influences behind the band, and the rare Star Wars deep cut that inspired the name. Along the way, Jeff and Ryan geek out over everything from punk rock history to the weird, beautiful economics of putting on a true independent festival. This episode is a love letter to rock lifers, scene builders, and anyone who understands that the best events are usually held together by passion, notebooks, van trips, and way too much gear. Perfect for fans of garage rock, psych, stoner rock, and DIY culture - and for anyone planning to be in Ann Arbor when Fuzz Fest kicks off. Chris Taylor is the founder and curator of Fuzz Fest, a long-running Ann Arbor rock festival built around hand-picked bands, underground energy, and old-school festival craft. He also performs in Mazinga and Blue Snaggletooth. He also creates liquid light visuals under Eternal Eyes.

    How One DIY Promoter Built Fuzz Fest With No Sign-Up Sheet

  8. Aug 20

    How The Rupple Brothers Turn Family Into Music

    The Rupple Brothers brought a warm, family-driven energy to their conversation at The Stray during the Battle of the Bands finals, where they talked about the roots of their psychedelic folk sound and why intimate performances matter so much to them. The band described their music as a way to share songs, spread good vibes, and make audiences feel like part of the family by the end of the night. That sense of closeness is central to how they write and perform. A major theme in the discussion was the emotional honesty behind their songs. The Rupple Brothers said many of their tracks come from personal experiences, including grief and family loss, but they aim to turn that pain into something that gives listeners comfort and light. Their music balances sadness with connection, creating songs that feel deeply personal while still resonating with a wider audience. The band also shared how naturally their lineup has grown over time, including Mitch’s addition in 2022, and how they adapt their setup depending on the size and feel of each show. Whether they’re playing a stripped-down set or a fuller festival version, they focus on keeping the performance loose, intimate, and genuine. That flexibility helps them fit everything from quiet rooms to bigger stages without losing their identity. Looking ahead, the Rupple Brothers are working on new material and hope to record within the next year after their last album in 2019. They also discussed their Handmade Music Festival, a two-day camping and music event they help run each year in Chesaning, MI. Between the festival, the writing, and their live shows, the band continues to build a musical world centered on community, family, and heartfelt songs.

    How The Rupple Brothers Turn Family Into Music
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About

Discovering what goes into making the local music scene possible in the great state of Michigan. Episodes include interviews with local bands/artists, industry experts, venues, recording studios, and anything else that contributes to the success of music in the Mitten state. In addition, each episode will wrap up with a few songs from artists highlighted in our discussion.

Information

  • Creator
    Mitten Music
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    143
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Mitten Music
  • Show Website
    Mitten Music