11/06/2025
If you're at all adjacent to the Metal scene in Michigan, do yourself a favor and give this episode a listen. This is a hard working group chatting about what it takes to bring a passionate community together. There's a wealth of knowledge and behind the scenes information shared in this one. If you're inspired yourself, get out there and throwdown with us. 🤘
Michigan Metal Fest
We had a chance to sit down with Steve Maple and Ken Joseph to discuss this awesome event. From humble beginnings, to a committee of helping hands, this festival has come a long way from its inception.
Steve is the type of visionary that you want to listen to, learn from, and help in anyway you can. His vision is born out of a deep passion and love for extreme metal music. He's putting on more than a metal festival: he's building a community.
If you've ever dared to dream about doing more with your time and energy in this life, listen to this conversation. You'll be motivated to make moves. You'll understand that something you want to build will take years, it won't be perfect on day one. You'll encounter hardships and setbacks, you'll lose support, only to have the right ones come along and help get you through it. Steve is not a one man show, he relies on many other people in many areas to help facilitate and oversee the many moving parts of his events. Ken is one example of the many additional people who come together to make Michigan Metal Fest, and Midwest Brewtal Fest happen, directing media and developing promotional strategy. That is the power of a vision that you believe in: if you truly believe in it and put in the work, others will too.
We're taking to you school in the art of Festival Management 101 for episode 101 of The Metal Maniacs podcast. There's a lot to learn from this one. Sit back and take notes.