2 Beers With The Band

In this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I sit down with Canadian hip-hop artist, songwriter, and storyteller Kalvonix, who opens up about growing up with cerebral palsy, facing relentless bullying, and how music became his emotional outlet and personal therapy. From rapping in his bedroom at age 12 after hearing Eminem for the first time, to eventually meeting his idol J. Cole, Kalvonix’s stor...

In Part 2 of my interview with Nashville-based hip-hop producers Stryke and Xefe, we go even deeper into what it means to be young, self-taught, and fully committed to building a career in music. These two aren't just making beats—they’re telling full stories through instrumentals and crafting sounds that speak before a single lyric is dropped. We talk about licensing, ownership, vocal presets, an...

In this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I sit down with two insanely talented and hungry young hip-hop producers: Stryke and Xefe. Based in Nashville and still barely out of high school, these two are already shaking up the underground rap scene with their unique sound, self-taught production skills, and DIY mindset. We talk about what it really means to be a producer today—from learning on fr...

In Part 2 of my interview with Silver Boy, we dive even deeper into what it really takes to thrive as an independent artist. From playing massive shows with The Hives, Whitesnake, and Motorhead to juggling bartending, fatherhood, and running a boutique creative venue in Nashville called Mirror Mirror Network, Silver Boy keeps it raw, real, and relentlessly passionate. We talk about DIY promotion,...

In this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I sit down with Nashville-based singer, songwriter, producer, and masked rocker Silver Boy (aka Marco With Love) for a wild ride through identity, legacy, and the magic of performance. From the origins of the “Silver Boy” name (hint: it’s in his blood) to releasing a deeply personal vinyl LP, Silver Boy opens up about how lineage, punk roots, and spiritu...

In this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I sit down with Nashville singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Winter Wilson to talk about balancing creative freedom, emotional storytelling, and living a life full of passion. Winter shares what it’s like building a music career while working in tech, training for an Ironman, and launching a pop project called “Spacey.” We talk about writing a...

In this episode, I sit down with Nashville-based artist LB Beistad to talk about the real side of indie music—grinding through the “Ten Year City,” finding your scene, and why community means everything. LB opens up about her move from East Tennessee, how house shows helped her break into Nashville’s underground, and the surprising role nonalcoholic beer and half marathon training played in her cr...

In Part 2 of my conversation with Nashville artist Jed Harrelson, we dive deep into the real emotions behind the grind—imposter syndrome, creative droughts, and pushing forward even when it feels like nothing’s working. Jed opens up about his relationship with writer’s block, why showing up matters more than feeling inspired, and how one viral video changed everything for his band. We also talk ab...

In this episode, I sit down with Nashville artist Jed Harrelson to talk about what it really takes to make a living as an independent musician—and why the answer has nothing to do with luck. Jed shares his journey from getting fired for promoting his music (shoutout to Kacey Musgraves) to grinding through empty rooms, building a loyal fanbase, and refusing to take no for an answer. We talk about t...

In Part 2 of my deep conversation with Nashville artist SMO, we move beyond the music and into the heart of what saved his life—sobriety, plant-based eating, and brutal honesty. SMO opens up about how changing his diet helped him escape a lifestyle that nearly killed him, how food addiction is just as real as any other, and why he treats what’s in his fridge like a toxic relationship. From battlin...

In this powerful and unfiltered conversation, I sit down with Nashville artist SMO (formerly Big SMO) to talk about transformation, survival, and how taking control of your health changes everything—including your music. SMO shares the deep impact sobriety, a plant-based lifestyle, and open heart surgery had on his life, career, and identity. From navigating a name change and losing fans, to confr...

In Part 2 of my conversation with Nashville artist Stoney Banks, we ride the wave into his love for beach music, jazz, reggae, and everything in between. He shares the stories behind two new songs—“Help Wanted” and “Sweet Sensi”—offering insight into how creative flow, life experience, and a little tropical daydreaming combine to shape his sound. From early Beach Boys concerts to wipeouts while tr...

In this episode, I sit down with Nashville artist Stoney Banks to unpack his raw, honest journey through music, mental health, and finding purpose. We dive into what it means to balance creative expression with personal demons, the reality of the industry vs. the dream, and how reggae-country fusion became his healing outlet. Stoney opens up about childhood rejection, self-worth, and how those ear...

In this episode, I continue my conversation with Nashville-based band Horsehell as we dive into the raw realities of being an independent band in a crowded scene. We talk about what it takes to book and promote your own shows, the grind of building connections in the DIY music world, and why persistence is key when reaching out to venues. The band shares insights into Nashville’s underground music...

In this episode, I sit down with Nashville-based indie band Horsehell to dive into their journey, sound, and the reality of making music in a competitive scene. We get into how the band formed through chance encounters, why they embrace the term "post-shoegaze," and the struggles of navigating the music industry without losing their identity. We also discuss the challenges of balancing music with...

In this episode, I continue my conversation with Ray Duncan, diving deeper into the realities of being an independent artist. We discuss the struggles of navigating the industry without major label backing, how to stay motivated through setbacks, and why mindset is everything when building a music career. Ray shares personal experiences about balancing creative freedom with financial sustainabilit...

In this episode, I sit down with Ray Duncan to talk about the journey of an independent artist navigating the modern music industry. From early inspirations to defining a unique sound, Ray shares the struggles and triumphs of being an artist in a constantly evolving scene. We dive into the challenges of building a fanbase, the role of social media in shaping an artist’s career, and why authenticit...

In this episode, I sit down with the members of Stammer to dive into what it really takes to make it as an indie rock band. From balancing friendship and business to crafting a sound that fuses shoegaze, hard rock, and pop sensibilities, Stammer has carved out a unique identity in the underground music scene. They share the ups and downs of being a five-piece band, the reality of juggling music wi...

In this episode, I sit down with members of Stammer to talk about their journey as an indie rock band, the challenges of making music in a five-piece group, and what sets their sound apart. From forming through a mix of chance encounters and social media connections to crafting a sound that blends shoegaze, hard rock, and pop sensibilities, Stammer has built a reputation for high-energy live shows...

In Part 2 of my conversation with Caroline Romano, we explore the emotional side of being an artist, the struggles of self-doubt, and the power of poetry in music. Caroline opens up about how mental health impacts her songwriting, how she balances vulnerability with artistic control, and why she believes the industry is finally embracing deeper, more personal storytelling. We also dive into the ev...

In this episode, I sit down with Caroline Romano, a Nashville-based alternative pop artist, to talk about her journey, songwriting process, and the deeper meaning behind her latest EP, How The Good Girls Die. She opens up about moving to Nashville at 17, learning to navigate the music industry, and how writing music has helped her process fear, growth, and personal change. We also dive into the re...

In Part 2 of my conversation with Toy Dinosaur, we dive into the struggles of self-promotion, the evolution of their sound, and the band dynamics that keep them going. The members open up about their hesitation toward marketing, the fear of losing the creative spark, and how past industry experiences have shaped their approach to music today. We also explore the importance of friendship in keeping...

In this episode, I sit down with Toy Dinosaur to talk about their journey as an indie band, the challenges of making music in today's industry, and the meaning behind their latest music video. We dive deep into the themes of fear, growth, and self-discovery, as the band breaks down how their visuals connect to the music. Toy Dinosaur shares their approach to songwriting, how personal experiences s...

In Part 2 of my conversation with Bennett.io, we go deeper into the creative process, the struggles of burnout, and the reality of being an independent electronic artist. Bennett opens up about hitting a creative slump, how they pushed through it, and why covers played a huge role in reigniting their passion for making music. We also dive into the crossover between music and visual art, exploring...

In this episode, I sit down with Bennett.io, an electronic artist and producer originally from Detroit, now making waves in Nashville’s underground scene. We dive into their unique approach to live performance, combining vocals, live clip triggering, and real-time effects manipulation to create an immersive sonic experience. Bennett shares how Detroit’s deep electronic music roots influenced their...