Explore every episode of the podcast TF Cast // art.music.culture // Mankato

Emma joined us on the podcast to share a bit about her recent musical adventures from playing with some of Mankato's own City Mouse, to writing music and going to school at Minnesota State University Mankato to study Music Industry.

Emma Josephine played at the Vetter Stone Mankato Ribfest 2024 side stage with some of City Mouse members. She was also a featured songwriter on the 2024 Minnesota Original Music Festival songwriter showcase. Emma has big plans for the future and we're excited to keep up with her music and catch an upcoming show in the area.

Over the last 60+ years Bobby Drengler has been involved in playing music, recording music, creating spaces for live music to be enjoyed. From Two Fish Studios in Mankato which has a storied history in the Mankato music scene. He calls himself a producer and in that role he's worked with a number of artists from Ron Arsenault to John Denver and many more that we were excited to discover.

In this episode we explored Mankato's music history accross a few recongnizable event space formats; ballrooms, bars, studios, and more like the outdoor annual people's fair in Mankato, MN which took place over the course of 30 years. There's lots of name drops and location IDs in this episode for those looking to dive a bit deeper.

We were delighted that Bobby joined us and shared such a neat map of the history of live music in the area.

We talked music production, finding creative voice, mn hip hop, and some from Dylan's experience launching a recording studio in Mankato. He and his team are also hosting a regular Open Mic event in Mankato which offers musicians of all kinds an opportunity to get stage experience and try out music.

D.MO is 1/4 of the BDE Boys and a solo artist in his own right. In Summer 2023 the BDE boys got a chance to open for Flo Rida at the Mankato Ribfest.

Alaena is a fashion designer and founder of Orinlaen and the co founder of Altelier which is a Saint Peter based hand made small batch custom clothing shop. Alaena runs the shop with her mother and focus on using eco friendly materials and timeless styles. We chatted about fast & slow fashion as well as how clothing is produced and developed as well as the materials that make up our clothing. We enjoyed learning more about clothes we wear and learning more about what's being created in our region.

Orinlaen and Altelier

216 S. Minnesota Ave. St. Peter Mn

Mike Diechman is the Founder and CEO of Akasha Civita which aims to bring more electronic music to Mankato to help create opportunity for transformational experiences. He's creating raves by collaborating with lighting, audio, visual, and laser technicians to surprise and delight his audiences. RAVE | Radical Audio Visual Experience.In this episode we discussed the last shows that happened in the area and a bit about what people can expect for the upcoming events. Mike has promoted 9 events bringing bass & edm to Mankato since the launch of Akasha Civita on 11/11 in 2021. He also has big plans for the future that we explored a bit in this episode.Mike has also been DJing as Alienboi. We talked inspiration for the project and some sounds he's excited about. Find Upcoming Akasha Civita Events & Buy Tickets Online https://ac-edm.com/

Kaleb just finished recording an album with the Nightengale Band, 'The Things You've Kept, You'll Keep Until', will be released on OCTOBER 18!, there's an upcoming release show on October 18th where you can get a copy of the album with entry to the show! Learn what Kaleb has been up to, the upcoming show, and the behind the scenes on the album release.

Ben Scruggs is a guitar player and songwriter for the Mankato based band called "Poor Lemuel". After recently finishing up the recording for his next album, Ben is getting ready for a release party concert collaboration with Kaleb Braun Schulz on October 18th. During this episode Ben played a few songs from the upcoming album. We were thrilled to get this update with Ben and learn about what went into the making of the latest album.

Sponsors:

This and every episode of the Podcast is sponsored by Triple Falls Productions, an a/v company based in Mankato MN that specializes is sound, lighting, and multi-camera Livestreaming solutions.

Extras:

Watch Ben's previous appearances on the Podcast.

Band Members: Ben Scruggs - Guitar/VocalsKrista Okins - Keys/VocalsCooper Fuller - GuitarKaleb Braun-Schulz - BassBrent Burg - DrumsKen Markham - PercussionBuy Poor Lemuel Music on Bandcamp - https://poorlemuel.bandcamp.com/

Alex joined us to introduce Teenage Superman and discuss what went into his recent album "Endless Innocence". Alex has been developing his music and performance style at open mic and through some recording sessions with Mock Production studios in Mankato.

Daniel Lloyd and Dakota Davis joined us to share the latest from their multimedia project called Rise of the Clockwork, which includes music, and several other elements that help tell the story of the characters in the world.

Be sure to keep an eye out for any opportunity to see them live and follow along online to keep up with the tales of the clockwork.

Infernum Album releases 8/6/2024

Upcoming debut album called Act I: Infernum. This is a concept album that takes place in a sci-fi/dystopian/steampunk universe where a society has been taken over by mechanical versions of Egyptian Gods and Goddesses.

This first album is part of a larger story arc and narrative that will take place across multiple albums and productions.in this episode, we uncover the inspiration behind the project and their vision for the future of the storyline.

We hope this serves as an introduction to the project and would direct anyone looking for more to the accounts for Rise of the Clockwork.

https://youtu.be/s8qbd3rpW28

Janii Sudan is an emerging talent in the hip-hop scene from Mankato who writes about real life and hopes music can bring build a better life for him and his family. In This Episode: In our conversation with Janii Sudan, we dive deep into a variety of topics, including:

• Upcoming Music: Get the inside scoop on Janii's latest projects and what fans can expect from his new releases.
• The Process: Learn about Janii's creative process, from writing lyrics to producing tracks, and how he brings his artistic vision to life.

Don't Miss Janii Sudan Live: Exciting news! Janii Sudan will be performing live at our upcoming hip-hop concert in Mankato. Don’t miss the chance to see him bring his dynamic energy to the stage and perform some of his freshest tracks.Tune in to this episode of the TF Cast for an engaging and inspiring discussion with Janii Sudan, and get ready to experience his music live at our next show featuring Nur-D and the BDE Boys at the Mankato Brewery!

Scott Yonke is the talented bassist and songwriter for JoJo Green, a jazz fusion project from Minneapolis. Known for his versatile playing style, Scott blends jazz with elements of rock, funk, and soul, creating an energetic and dynamic sound.

JoJo Green is a band that mixes traditional jazz with contemporary influences, resulting in an eclectic and show. Scott's bass lines and melodic songwriting are key components of the band's sound.

Scott has been part of the Minnesota music scene for years, drawing inspiration from a wide range of genres and artists. His ability to combine different musical styles has made him a standout musician.

Whether in intimate venues or on big stages, Scott and JoJo Green deliver engaging and memorable performances. Their music features tight arrangements and spontaneous improvisation, making each show a unique experience.

Join us to learn more about Scott Yonke’s musical journey, his role in JoJo Green, and his approach to songwriting and performance.

Visit the team at FOCP and learn how they help make sure that hungry kids are provided easy to prepare meals at home and at school. We packed a few meal kits with Sheri and Lori, Holly, and the rest of the team; who also let us sample a special bourbon mix they developed. In this episode we talked about FOCP's new expansion, fundraising events, and got to see behind the scenes on their operation.

We will again be working with FOCP to provide production for their upcoming Beer, Brats and Bourbon event which will feature bands Tres Osos from Duluth and the Whiskies from the Twin Cities. FOCP is an amazing non-profit organization that does a lot for the community and we're incredibly proud to be a production partner for the event.

Come enjoy an event that helps make sure children growing up in Southern MN have access to the food they need. The event provides a great opportunity to try sample some bourbon, try some beer, and enjoy an evening of music. And give back to the community.

Tickets are available online at https://feedingourcommunitiespartners.org/bbb.

Shoutout to the FOCP TEAM!

Sheri Sander-Silva

Holly Dodge

Lori Wollmuth

Layne Boswell

Josh Sorenson

Stacy Spencer

Thanks for having us.

Dave Sandersfeld has New Music on the way! We were happy to host him in the studio for a chat about the album writing process and what's coming. Dave talked about how collaborating has made a huge impact on his work this year and maybe if you're lucky you'll get to catch him perform in the next few months!

Don't miss our desert island guitar pedal selects or hearing how Dave draws inspiration from artists like Jason Isbell and the other gems in this episode.

Dave Sandersfeld is a singer songwriter based in the Mankato area and will be putting out some new original music in the next few months.

His song "What Does It Mean?" will be available May 31st. Stay tuned.

A stacked episode with Josh Madson, Megan Hoogland, and Shelley Caldwell all talking about the upcoming Manifest event on May 11th 2024 where there will be many vendors, artists, interactive creator activities, and a concert to close out the night. We're stoked to be supporting Manifest 2024 and had a blast chatting with these amazing humans. We learned about what's going on with the Community Collage and chatted about the art and entertainment featured in this year's Manifest event.

Check out the show notes at https://www.triplefalls.org/posts/cast156

In this episode we learned about a tattoo art show organized by Rob Foster to showcase tattoo artists' diverse artistic talents outside of tattooing. We talked about the evolution of the tattoo industry and styles, with more collaboration and sharing of ideas now.

From topics like flash designs, client relationships, ignorant tattoos, and how accessibility of tools has changed things recently.

Rob Foster hopes for a good turnout of artwork at the show inspired by tattoos and is allowing each artist freedom to show their stuff.

more on https://www.triplefalls.org/cast

Ann Fee & Joe Tougas return to chat about their upcoming event on April 13th featuring the best of Steely Dan & Joe's Garage which feature the works of Steely Dan & Frank Zappa.April 13th Kato Ballroom 2 Bands Joes Garage & Steely Ann. Tickets are only available at Kato Ballroom. Online or at door.

GUEST LINKS

https://joetougas.com/

https://annrosenquistfee.wordpress.com/

Triple Falls Productions

A Mankato based Media & Event Production Company

www.triplefalls.org

We tried a few drinks at Paddlefish brewing and chatted with the owners about their visions for the bar, the beer, and the future. Learn about their unique membership programs, including the exclusive ceramic mug club and the Founders club, offering patrons the opportunity to support the brewery while enjoying special perks and privileges.So grab a pint, pull up a seat, and join us as we raise a glass to Paddlefish Brewing – where every sip tells a story.

Tyler joins us on behalf of the Mankato Makerspace to provide updates on new programming, grants they have received, and the exciting possibility of expansion.

We delve into existing programs, the benefits for members, and plans for the future.

Additionally, Tyler shares personal anecdotes about his involvement with the Makerspace and the projects he has taken on as a maker himself.

If you want more information about programming or becoming a member visit: https://www.mankatomakerspace.org/

ARK returns to the podcast alongside our first-ever guest, crew member, and long-time host Grum to discuss their musical journey together, both as performers with their band Soul Folk Union and as a duo.

They share insights into how they became intertwined musically and romantically, discussing the lessons learned from working together with different perspectives while trying to grow as artists.

The duo also reveals some of their ambitions for the future and sets expectations for upcoming performances and releases.

You can find them on all platforms as Soul Folk Union or reach out for booking at Soulfolkunion@gmail.com.

Musician Tyler Herwig joins us to talk about his journey as a musician from changing majors in college to over a decade of heavy gigging as a cover musician to making his way onto the US alternative country charts with his single 'Living in the Last Days'.

We also learn about his motivations and gain a few songwriting and marketing tips from his time on the road.

You can find out more information or check out a show at tylerherwig.com

Michael returns to the podcast to talk about his new magic venue and art space in St. Peter called 'Blue Moon Comedy and Magic'.

We learn about the history of his work through the lens of his ongoing search for a physical space that worked well for his performances and the type of entertainment he wanted to bring to the area. Michael also shares stories from his time doing close up magic and opinions on the craft.

Blue Moon is located next to River Rock Coffee at 303 South Minnesota Avenue, St Peter - for more information about upcoming shows follow Michael Callahan or 2nd Story Comedy on Facebook.

Jared Willemsen returns to talk about his most recent Smilebro album 'Chapel Hill' - a collaborative concept album created during a musicians retreat in North Carolina.

We explore how the limitations of working with new collaborative artists and confining production to a single week, from concept to completion, helped mold this album into a final product that, in many ways, represents a departure from his previous work.

Jared shares some valuable takeaways from the production sessions as well as catching us up on his life changes as last time he spoke with us on the cast he was headed out to Los Angeles and has since returned.

You can check out the single: 'Smilebro - Hundred Billion Dollars' on all streaming platforms, and the rest of the album will be released on the 18th of December 2023.

Musician Mal Murphy joins us to talk about her debut EP 'Grow Up', Mal is an emerging singer songwriter who has been gigging regionally for three years. We learn about her upbringing, her journey to becoming a musician as well as some of the friends and influences that she has gathered along the way.

'Grow Up' releases December 2023 with three release shows, you can find out more by following Mal Murphy on Facebook or Instagram - If you want to run into the TF team we will be helping out with production at the second show hosted at the 410 project December 14th at 7pm.

Nicholas returns to the show to discuss his cut-up musical project, 'I Cut People.' We delve into the project's history, approaching its 18th year with over 10 releases available on Bandcamp.

Nicholas shares insights into how he finds inspiration, generates and sorts the cuts he uses, and the cultural and philosophical inspirations behind the finished products.

You can listen to and download the albums for free at: https://icutpeople.com/

In this episode, we focus on his latest and most musical release, 'The End,' which departs from previous work by primarily pulling from music instead of film.

In reflection of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we had the opportunity to speak with Julia Hamann, the Director of Community Programming at The Committee Against Domestic Violence (CADA). CADA serves a 9-county area in southern Minnesota, including Blue Earth.

During our conversation, we explore the mission of CADA, the services they provide, the communities they serve, and their funding. Julia also shares stories and perspectives gained from eight years of working in the field in various positions.

If you're interested in learning more, donating, becoming a sponsor, or seeking services, you can visit cadamn.org.

For immediate assistance regarding relationship abuse or sexual violence, reach out to an advocate through their 24-hour helpline at 1-800-477-0466, text at 507-223-4200, or email at advocacy@cadamn.org.

Festival Co-Director Tom Bliese joins us to discuss all things GSR. We delve into a brief history of the festival and Tom's experiences in the Mankato art scene, dating back to the 70s.

Tom sheds light on how festival goers, vendors, organizers, and volunteers collaboratively contribute to making the GSR festival a longstanding positive influence in the Mankato area.

The GSR Fine Art Festival is a juried event for artists, musicians, and authors to present and sell their wares.

Open and free to the public, the festival takes place on Nov 25-26th at the Mayo Clinic Event Center in Mankato, MN.

Artist Love Quetee joins us to talk about her upcoming show Ghetto Visionary opening at the 410 project November 10th.

Love shares her experiences as an MNSU fine arts major, her motivations to pursue a career in the arts and thoughts on organizing the show.

We also learn about her creative process as well as desire to shine a light on black culture through her artwork.

Colin Scharf join us again in a very special episode, we listen to and share stories from The Golden Hour LP Volume II.
Recorded during July-September of 2022 the LP features thirteen tracks from different Mankato musicians recorded live during the Golden Hour series events hosted at the Wine Cafe.
We learn about the organization, funding and execution of this work as well as anecdotes from team members who performed or worked the events.
During the interview we also sample music from; Kaleb Braun-Schulz & the Nightingale Band; Torrid Forest; Silver Summer; Double-Oh!, J-Mose, & DJ Shoba; EZ Jazz; The Ericksons; Given Names; Loadie; Goal Area 51; Onion Bun, Liz Draper + Tasha Baron, and Sister Gin.
If you want to get your hands on a copy you can swing by the Carnegie Nov 4th, 7-9pm and pick one up in person or contact Colin through socials or Precious Metals Records.

Nu World Comics founder Ty joins us to discuss his inspiration for creating a comic book universe with plans for over 1500 characters to appear in multiple story arcs. Ty shares his motivations for establishing a universe grounded in diversity and inclusion. With books featuring heroes like Night Wraith and Firefly already in print, and a wealth of stories already written, we can expect much more from Nu World Comics.

We also gain insights into how Ty has designed the storylines and universe, his personal take on comic book themes, and his experiences in the industry

Tom, Joe and Mark of Mankato punk rock outfit The Burn Vault join us to promote their debut album Ignite releasing October 27th 2023.

We learn about their origin, individual musical influences and philosophies as well as some anecdotes from shows both played and attended.

Artist Max Adams joins us to discuss his life and work as an artist in Mankato. Our conversation begins with his entry into the Carnegie Art Center Juried Art Show, followed by a discussion of his experiences as an MNSU student. Max shares insights into his lifelong journey, covering everything from basic techniques and tool frustrations to valuable tips and anecdotes along the way.

If you're interested in viewing his work, along with pieces from 57 other regional artists, you can visit the Juried Exhibition at the Carnegie Art Center from October 5th to the 21st.

Writer and MNSU Grad Student Alex French joins us to talk about the courses he has organized with the Arts Center in St. Peter. We chat about writing, the community and the benefits the classes offer. The eight week writing class beginning October 22nd on Elements of Craft will feature lectures, discussions and writing exercises led by MNSU Grad students.More information or to sign up check out: https://www.artscentersp.org/classes/

Comic Dan Bacula joins us to talk about the return of the weekly G.M.A.C.C. comedy open mic hosted at the Circle Inn. Throughout the episode we cover quick wits, chat about some local characters at the mic and share our thoughts on comedy in general. For more information check out Greater Mankato Area Comedy Coalition or check out Dan Bacula on Facebook and bandcamp.

Artist and Maker Caleb Stoner joins us to discuss his contributions and work at the Makers Space.

We explore his diverse projects, ranging from crafting knives and gathering ore to creating tools and jewelry.

Caleb shares anecdotes about his journey, including the process of acquiring skills, finding his place in the vibrant community of makers, and the art of foraging for supplies.

Artist Mary Walchuk joins us to discuss her upcoming 410 Project show, 'A Trip Inside My Head.' Mary shares her artistic journey, starting as a photographer and expanding into various practices, including colored pencils and painting.

We also delve into how her creative pursuits have played a role in managing her mental health and how her mental health, in turn, has influenced her work

Award-winning author of eight young adult novels and educator Geoff Herbach joins us to discuss his experiences upon discovering that his novel, 'Hooper,' was being banned in some Iowa schools. 'Hooper,' along with over 300 other books, has been targeted under new Iowa legislation, Senate File 496. We gain insights into his perspectives concerning the culture wars driving this type of legislation, as well as the thoughts and feelings of an author whose work is being removed.Finally, we have the opportunity to delve into the book itself, which incidentally is set in the St. Peter/Mankato area.

Artist Sydney Heid joins us on behalf of the group show 'Fluidity,' opening on August 25th at the 410 Project. Sydney discusses her own work, inspirations, and how her relationships with peers influence her art.

We also learn a little about the work of Abby Lunebrek, Hanne Tebben and Zoe Jensen who are friends and partners in making the Fluidity installation a reality.

You can find more details at https://the410project.com/

The Triple Falls team returns to Lakota Made to catch up with owner and herbalist Megan Schnitker in her new location at 606 N Riverfront Drive, Mankato. It's been almost exactly two years since we last spoke with Megan, and since then, her business has grown exponentially, offering over 100 new products and operating from a much larger facility. We gain insight into the day-to-day operations and the challenges faced by an indigenous woman selling plant medicine in a marketplace dominated by Western medicine. Megan also shares her vision for the future of Lakota Made, along with the impacts she aims to achieve through her work in the area.You can check out Lakota Made wares online and learn more at https://www.lakotamade.com/

Bartender and Midwest finalist in the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience, Chris Geels, joins us to talk about his experiences with the contest so far and his preparation for the final event in Chicago. Chris gives us the rundown on some of his cocktails, as well as the philosophies and flavors that pique his creative interests and end up on his cocktail menus, as well as in his contest submissions. Along the way, we learn how the arts community in Mankato has helped inspire his submission, and that will be reflected in the presentation, as well as learning some insights from Chris about the industry.

Executive Director of the Living Earth Center Laura Marsala joins us to talk about her work and the mission of the organization. The Living Earth Center provides access to land for local growers to grow produce of cultural significance that is otherwise unavailable. Along with providing space for folks to garden and grow crops they work to deliver food to organizations that deal with families facing hunger like the Backpack Food program and the Echo food shelf. Laura also lets us know about some of the programming and community building that happens through the organization from solstice celebrations to open mics and even hosting conversations about bike polo and vampire novels.

You can find more information at: https://www.livingearthcentermn.org/

Artists, Brothers and Business owners Alex and Justin Ek talk about their decision to close their joint business venture 108 Alchemy in Old Town Mankato.We learn about the challenges and lessons learned as well as well as covering some of the impacts the storefront has had on the Old Town landscape. The Brothers also share some insights into their own artistic philosophies and ideas as to where their creative energy might flow next.

Singer songwriter and multi instrumentalist Beret Finken joins us to talk about her journey as a musician, her upcoming album "Change with the Seasons" that is currently in the middle of a kickstarter campaign and her love for video game and theatre.

Check out and contribute to her kickstarter here:http://kck.st/3oVHjD1

Illustrator and musician Kat Baumann joins us to talk about her work as a freelance artist. Kat just finished working on a four issue comic Ben Mortara which follows the archeological adventures of a globetrotting Professor Ben Mortara, we learn about her processes as an illustrator as well as some insights into the industry itself. Kat also talks about her work as a vocalist performing with Joe Tougas and the Associates as well as a troupe in the renaissance festival.

You can follow Kat at the following

katbaumann.com

twitter.com/kat_baumann

instagram.com/katbaumanncomics

tumblr.com/katbaumann

Welcome to another episode of the TF Cast, your go-to podcast for arts and culture in Mankato, MN. In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting the incredibly talented Josh Madson, a photographer, director, and cinematographer with a passion for community engagement. Join us as we explore Josh's latest project, set to launch as part of an upcoming festival right here in our own community. Josh will be offering free portrait sessions to the people of Mankato, capturing their unique personalities and stories through his lens. These captivating portraits will then be showcased at the renowned Coffee Hag, a local hub for creativity and community gathering. We delve into Josh's motivation behind this inspiring endeavor, uncovering the transformative power of art and its ability to foster connection and belonging within a community. Through his lens, Josh aims to highlight the diverse faces and stories that make Mankato such a vibrant place to live. During our conversation, we'll explore the creative process behind capturing these portraits, Josh's approach to storytelling through photography, and the impact he hopes to achieve through this project. We'll also touch on the role of art in fostering community engagement and the importance of showcasing local talent. Whether you're a photography enthusiast, an art lover, or simply someone passionate about building a stronger community, this episode of the TF Cast is not to be missed. Join us as we sit down with Josh Madson and explore the intersection of art, community, and the power of a single portrait. Get ready to be inspired and discover the beauty that lies within our own backyard. http://www.joshmadson.com/

Vocalist Cara Lucille joins us to talk about her experience in the 2022 Minnesota Original Music Festival Band Challenge as well as her role as an organizer in the upcoming event this year. The 48 hour band challenge drafts participants into teams tasked with preforming 2 covers and 1 original song in front of a panel of judges for a chance to perform on the main stage at the MNOMF along with other prizes.

Entertainer Mollie Fischer joins us to talk about her role as a performer in Skitzo Fonik, we learn about her work in the band as well as some insights into her journey as a musician and entertainer. Mollie also shares some stories from her time working on cruise ships.If you want to catch Skitzo Fonik in the Mankato area they will be playing a show with production by Triple Falls on June 2nd 2023 at the Mankato Brewery.

Photographers Emily Stark, Fede Sagolpa and Bailey Burg join the TF team to talk about Music in Focus a photography exhibit organized by Emily Stark featuring works from the entire group's coverage of the Mankato music scene. We learn a little bit about everyones background in photography, connection to the music scene and workflow as we come together around this exhibit that will be shown in the 410 project from June 2nd-17th.

Artist Shelley Caldwell joins us to talk about "Inversion" her upcoming installation at the 410 project in Mankato, MN. She shares some insights into what has gone into her new works and what separates them from past work. Shelley also shares some of her thoughts on creative practices and work as an artist. You can catch Inversion May 12th-27th at the 410 and be sure to follow Shelley on IG @scald_art

Rodolfo, Deisy and Ruben of Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment through Research (HACER) join us to talk about their ongoing projects and their newly opened office in Mankato. We have the opportunity to learn about the history, research and impacts of an organization with over 30 years of work in the region.

Organizers Megan Schnitker, Alex Ek and Megan Hoogland join us to talk about MANIFEST community centered art fair presented by Mahkato Revitalization Project and MWAC unifying the Indigenous Art Fair with the Post Holiday Extravaganza.

MANIFEST will feature live music, outdoor art booths, an art raffle/silent auction from 12pm to 3:30pm, food, kids activities, & Indigenous centered classes presented by MRP.

We learn about the educators, performers, activities and vendors you will encounter during the event as well as some background information about the organizers.

MANIFEST is taking place May 13th at the Blue Earth County Library starting at noon for more information check out the MANIFEST event on facebook or @manifest_mankato on IG.