Behind The Sound

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.