Mandolin Secrets Podcast

Magnus Zetterlund & Hayes Griffin
  • 4.9 (12)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

This podcast is for every mandolin and guitar player who wants an inspiration boost. Hosts Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin share professional tips, experiences, and stories that will support every music maker on their journey.

  1. MAY 19

    #50 Four Chords to Solo Concerts: Malin Foxdal's Octave Mandolin Journey

    Join Magnus Zetterlund as he welcomes Swedish artist Malin Foxdal to discuss her journey with the octave mandolin, from knowing just four chords to performing solo concerts. Malin shares insights on her two new ensembles—one rooted in Swedish and Celtic folk, another exploring improvised poetry and jazz. Discover her philosophy of learning through doing, the liberating power of stage improvisation, and how the octave mandolin became her creative voice. Plus, hear live performances of "Ingens Lilla Flicka" and "I Sing" from her acclaimed music theater work about Swedish immigration, and learn Magnus's secret trait: unstoppable grit. Visit our website for more episodes: https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast Malin Foxdal's website: https://www.malinfoxdal.com/ Show Notes Topics Covered: Discovering the Octave Mandolin First encounter with Esbjörn Hazelius's instrument in 2009Buying an octave mandolin knowing only four chords—and never regretting itWhy the octave mandolin creates a perfect "third voice" for singer-songwritersHow it blends beautifully with violin, guitar, and other string instrumentsLearning Philosophy: Be Brave & Curious Teaching yourself through performance rather than waiting to be "ready"The importance of getting on stage with whatever you knowAdding songs one by one to build your repertoireLearning to fail forward and staying curious to avoid boredomNew Musical Projects Trio with Emma Reid (violin) and Dan Knagg (multi-instrumentalist): Swedish and Celtic folk with newly composed music rooted in traditionExperimental trio with Anders Hagberg (flute/sax) and Rickard Åström (piano): Improvising poetry live on stage, including audience-contributed wordsThe art of trust, presence, and listening in live improvisation20 Years as an Artist Celebrating two decades of building experience and toolsRecent album receiving fantastic reviews and cultural awardsThe journey from experimental beginnings to confident improvisationMusic Theater & Social Commentary "På andra sidan Swede Hollow" (On the Other Side of Swede Hollow): A play about Swedish immigration to AmericaDrawing parallels between historical Swedish emigrants and modern immigrants to SwedenUsing music theater to cultivate sympathy and perspectiveInstrument Spotlight: Weber Bridger A Custom-made octave mandolin from Weber factory (2009/2010)Tuned G-D-A-E with flatwound strings for a mellow toneComparing sounds with Magnus's similar modelOne of only two octave mandolins in their household!Current Practice Focus Developing more rhythmical playing patternsExperimenting with picking hand techniquePlaying the same songs with fresh presence each timeFeatured Music (Live Performances): "Ingens Lilla Flicka Längre" (No One's Little Girl Anymore) - Original composition with lyrics by poet Kristina Lugn"I Sing" - From the music theater "På andra sidan Swede Hollow" about Swedish immigrationMagnus's Secret Revealed: Malin shares that Magnus's defining trait is his unstoppable persistence—once he decides to do something, he never gives up. Pure grit! Connect with Malin Foxdal: Website: malinfoxdal.com Available on Spotify, Apple Music, and all streaming platforms Recommended Albums: Latest album celebrating 20 years as an artist"Natt Fjäril" (2010) - Gillian Welch songs interpreted in Swedish with an Americana vibe"Jag längtade" - Traditional Swedish folk songs with blues/Americana touchMentioned in This Episode: Esbjörn Hazelius (Swedish musician)Emma Reid (violinist from Newcastle, England)Dan Knagg (multi-instrumentalist)Anders Hagberg (flutist/soprano saxophonist)Rickard Åström (pianist)Gillian Welch (American songwriter)Kristina Lugn (Swedish poet)Resources: Full video performances available exclusively in Mandolin Secrets AcademyPrevious podcast episodes at mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

    50 min

  2. APR 21

    # 49 Karl Tirén: Composing, Band Leadership & Overcoming Injury

    Join Magnus Zetterlund as he sits down with Swedish mandolin player, bandleader, and composer Karl Tirén to discuss his innovative Atlas project—a unique trio featuring mandolin, trombone, and double bass. Karl shares his compositional process, the journey from injury to inspiration with the tune "At Last," and how he practices through playing rather than drilling scales. Links: Visit our website for more episodes: https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast Connect with Karl Tirén: Instagram: @karltiren.music  https://www.instagram.com/karltiren.music Bandcamp - Karl Tiren https://karltiren.bandcamp.com/album/atlas Music available on Spotify, Apple Music, and all streaming platforms Physical CDs available by contacting Karl directly Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1rlnxnGG3xgGMG16lRIh7D?si=VxT_r2iJRQ-OoaEf0x8Ybg Mandolin Secrets Academy https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/academy Topics Covered: The Atlas Project Unique instrumentation: mandolin, trombone (Magnus Grumer), and double bass (Johan Lindblom)Released as three EPs, now available as a complete albumBlending American mandolin traditions with Scandinavian sensibilitiesModern approach to releasing music in the streaming era Composition & Creative Process Karl's workflow: starting with instrumental phrases that "stick"Voice memos and long-form development (some tunes take years)Writing specifically for ensemble voices (like "Tromb" for trombone)Balancing melody and rhythm on the mandolin Practice Philosophy "Practice listening" as the foundationDesire-driven rather than strictly disciplined approachLearning through playing tunes instead of isolated exercisesInfluences from David Grisman, Chris Thile, and Brazilian mandolinist Hamilton de Holanda Overcoming Injury Karl's tendonitis story and years away from playingHow Atlas bandmates share a history of performance injuriesThe importance of listening to your body"At Last" as a turning point in regaining inspirationBand Leadership Self-releasing music without a record labelBuilding a touring quartet (adding trumpet player Karl Valmyr)Balancing music with day jobsPlanning and sustaining a long-term projectInstruments Karl's Bouvier F-style mandolin (refinished from purple!)Also plays a Nordic flat-top mandola by Mats NordvallDiscussion of American vs. Nordic mandolin traditions Featured Music: Åre Polskan (Swedish traditional, mandolin duo with Magnus)"At Last" (original composition that launched the Atlas project)"Tromb" (written specifically for trombone)Bridal march (Scandinavian-influenced original)Bach Menuet in G Major (duo arrangement) Mentioned in This Episode: Johan Lindblom (double bass)Magnus Grumer (trombone)Karl Valmyr (trumpet)Former band: Primus MotorHamilton de Holanda (Brazilian mandolinist)Mats Nordvall (Nordic mandolin builder) Resources: Full video version available in Mandolin Secrets AcademyBach Menuet and Åre Polskan arrangements available in the Academy

    52 min

  3. MAR 10

    #48 The Making Of Bingsjö Lilla Långdans

    Go behind the scenes as Magnus Zeterlund breaks down his latest release, "Bingsjö Lilla Långdans"—a traditional Swedish tune reimagined on electric octave mandolin and guitar. Discover how he adapted the melody, layered harmonies across different octaves, and programmed drums in Logic Pro. Magnus shares his workflow for multitracking, why he chose certain tones, and the three biggest lessons learned: separating instrument sounds, editing drums at the event level, and deciding track length early. Perfect for musicians curious about the creative and technical process of bringing traditional music into a modern recording. Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show. Please watch video and listen to performance by following the link below. https://www.mandolinsecrets.com/bingsjo-lilla-langdans Visit our website for more episodes: https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

    36 min

  4. FEB 10

    #47 Deconstructing a Classic: When You Wish Upon a Star

    In this episode: Magnus Zetterlund takes a deep dive into his unique mandolin arrangement of the 1940 Disney classic. Using an AI-generated technical overview as a jumping-off point, he explores the intersection of music theory, instrument physics, and emotional delivery. Technical Key Points Covered: The "Spice" of the A7#5: Why Magnus used an augmented dominant chord to create tension and Sophistication in the A-section.Harmonic Sophistication: A breakdown of the Dm7(b5) to G7 (ii-V-I) progression and how it adds a jazz flavor to the traditional melody.Position & Timbre: Why fretboard geography matters. Comparing the "warm, rounded" tones of the lower frets to the "bright, bell-like" quality of the higher fret voicings.Resources Mentioned: Magnus Zetterlund’s Lead Sheet: The original PDF arrangement of When You Wish Upon a Star.AI Technical Overview: A digital analysis of the harmonic complexity within the manuscript.>> Download free mandolin chord charts at my website: https://mandolinsecrets.com/wish-upon-a-star Visit our website for more episodes: https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

    18 min

  5. JAN 13

    #46 Pick Slanting Breakthroughs & Practice Priorities for 2026

    Join Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin as they wrap up 2025 and dive into the real work happening in practice rooms across the mandolin community. In this candid conversation, Magnus and Hayes get technical about pick slanting and escape motions—the breakthrough technique that's transforming their playing after decades of double-escaping. They also tackle practical questions from the community about practice routines, gear choices, and how to stay motivated on your musical journey. Whether you're a beginner finding your way or an experienced player refining your technique, this episode offers honest insights into the practice process and what it takes to keep growing as a musician. Topics Covered: Pick Slanting & Single Escape Technique Magnus shares his breakthrough moment with pick slanting after 30 years of playingUnderstanding supination vs. pronation and rest strokes vs. escape strokesWhy this isn't just about speed—it's about efficient, powerful single-note pickingPractical demonstrations of two-note and four-note per string patternsHow to build vocabulary from mechanical exercisesPractice Priorities Hayes on the importance of tracking your practice (and his 20-month tracking gap)Magnus's focus on right-hand technique and melodic adjustmentsCommunity members share their goals: learning scales, memorizing the fretboard, and diving into Nordic folk tunesGear Talk: Cases & Gig Bags Finding the right fit for different instruments and situationsHard cases vs. soft cases: when to use eachMagnus's search for the perfect electric octave mandolin case (spoiler: Strandberg guitar bags might be the answer)Community recommendations including Colorado Case Company, Blue Heron, TKL, and Northfield casesLooking Ahead to 2026 Magnus's new Octave Mandolin Course now availablePlans for a Nordic Folk Guitar course coming in spring 2026Hayes's upcoming European tour in May (details TBA)New Guitar Club content and guided courses on the horizonCommunity Insights How joining Mandolin Secrets Academy increases practice frequency and commitmentThe power of putting "skin in the game" for your musical developmentMentioned in This Episode: Mandolin Secrets Academy (mandolinsecrets.com)Previous podcast episodes at mandolinsecrets.com/podcastHayes's tour with Beppe GambettaMagnus's collaboration with Johan Eriksson Rapp Connect With Us: Watch the video version of this episode exclusively inside Mandolin Secrets Academy, or find all previous episodes at mandolinsecrets.com/podcast Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show. Visit our website for more episodes: https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast Beppe Gambetta website: https://beppegambetta.com/

    50 min

  6. 09/16/2025

    #45 Your best practice advices

    In this month’s episode, Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin are discussing: What are the best practice advice or helpful tips you have learned?Did you attend any good concerts this summer?Magnus biggest take aways from the workshops at Grenna Bluegrass Festival with Tristan ScrogginsMagnus’s new video lesson for pinky power.Hayes’ new video for Northfield Signal Electric Guitar.Hayes’ new Bulas two-point mandolin. Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show. Visit our website for more episodes: https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast Bulas Instruments https://bulas.pl/en-us Northield Mandolins https://www.northfieldinstruments.com/

    50 min

  7. 08/19/2025

    #44 How to find a good teacher?

    In this month’s episode, Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin are discussing: When getting started, were you mostly self-taught or did you take lessons?What got you to pick up the mandolin the first time?Magnus is sharing videos of himself testing out the entire mandolin family: mandolin, mandola, octave mandolin, and mandocello.Hayes is sharing info and details about his new beginner course “Play Bluegrass Guitar in 30 days”. Here are the weblinks mentioned in the show. Visit our website for more episodes: https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

    43 min

  8. 07/29/2025

    #43 Getting the most out of workshops with Tristan Scroggins

    In this month’s episode, Magnus Zetterlund interviews one of the young mandolin stars in the bluegrass scene, Tristan Scroggins. He is a musician based in Nashville, and we recorded this episode while he’s on tour with Missy Raines’ band.  The episode is full of good tips from a professional music maker, and there is an exciting discussion about: Being on the roadWomen in bluegrass music Learning from other instruments like banjo and fiddleHow to get the most out of camps and workshops+ Much moreHere are the weblinks mentioned in the show. The website of Tristan Scroggins https://tristanscroggins.com/ Grenna Bluegrass Festival 16 August 2025 Workshops 13th-15th. https://www.grennabluegrass.se/ Visit our website for more episodes: https://mandolinsecrets.com/podcast

    1h 2m
See All (50)

4.9
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

This podcast is for every mandolin and guitar player who wants an inspiration boost. Hosts Magnus Zetterlund and Hayes Griffin share professional tips, experiences, and stories that will support every music maker on their journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Magnus Zetterlund & Hayes Griffin
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Magnus Zetterlund & Hayes Griffin
  • Show Website
    Mandolin Secrets Podcast

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