2 Beers With The Band

In Part 2 of my sit-down with Kalvonix, we go deep into the mind of one of Canada's most introspective and creative indie hip-hop artists. From growing up with cerebral palsy to building a dedicated fanbase, Kalvonix explains how his vivid memory and love for storytelling have shaped both his music and videos. He shares details about his upcoming synthwave-inspired pop album “Mr. Nostalgia,” where he ditches rap entirely to experim...

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 story is raw, inspiring, and unapologet...

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, and what happens when an artist takes...

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 free apps and school laptops to build...

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, the importance of videos in today’s...

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 spirituality shaped his unique voice and v...

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 as therapy, embracing imperfection, ...

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 creative journey.

We dive into the st...

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 about building community, the role of...

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 the 10,000-hour rule, how to find su...

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 battling childhood obesity and multiple he...

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 confronting addiction and rebuilding his...

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 trying to surf as a teen, we trace ho...

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 early wounds led him to pick up a guit...

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 scene, the power of community, and...

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 day jobs, the importance of communi...

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 sustainability and the importance of networking ...

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 authenticity is everything in music.

Ray also ...

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 with day jobs, and why live performan...