2 Beers With The Band

From Getting Booed to 150 Countries: The Resilience of 5th Lettah

In this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I’m joined by 5th Lettah, a hip-hop artist and creative hailing from Denver, Colorado. We opened the show with his track "Flying Nimbus" and dived straight into the "Mountain" water he was sipping on—the carbonated classic Mountain Dew, which we discussed was originally created as a mixer for moonshine or "White Lightning" . On my end, I sampled Pale Green Horse, a 7.4% ABV hazy IPA that is a collaboration between Jester King Brewery and Nashville’s own Yazoo Brewing .
5th Lettah shares the fascinating intersection of his art and identity, from the origins of his name to his experience with synesthesia, or "singing songs in color," and whether he views it as a creative advantage or a disorder. We have a deep conversation about the business of being an indie artist, where he explains why "5th Lettah is a brand" and why artists must take promotion into their own hands, especially when balancing music with a full-time job and family responsibilities . With a fanbase spanning over 150 countries, he also touches on the storytelling parallels between hip-hop and classic country, the grit of bouncing back after being booed off stage, and his massive archive of 100 recorded songs waiting for the world to hear .
Follow 5th Lettah: https://linktr.ee/5thLettah

Mick Fury: From LA to Nashville & The Art of the Genre-Hoppin' Brand

In this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I sit down with Mick Fury to discuss his "all over the place" musical journey and the realities of being an indie artist in the modern industry. We crack open a Celebration Bavarian Doppelbock from Ganger brewery—a 6.7% ABV beer that is rich in caramel, vanilla, and malt notes with very little bitterness. Our conversation kicks off with some nostalgia as we reminisce about drinking Guinness at McNamara’s and the "different monster" that is a Guinness overseas.
 
Mick shares the creative process behind his diverse sound, which spans from country vibes in "Good Afternoon, Tequila" to his humorous and soulful Christmas videos. Having lived and pursued music in the "Big Three"—LA, New York, and Nashville—Mick provides a unique perspective on the grit required to succeed and the importance of finding personal fulfillment over just playing massive arenas. We also dive into his experiences collaborating with writers from across the country and why he believes every artist must eventually view themselves as a brand to thrive.

Gravistar Booking: Shoegaze, Emo, and the Business of Indie Music in Nashville

In this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I sit down with Derek Clay of Gravistar Booking to explore a different side of the music industry. While the show normally focuses on the bands themselves, we shift gears to discuss the creation of indie music and the logistics required to actually get artists on stage. Derek is a key player in the Nashville scene, specializing in booking shoegaze, emo, and alternative rock bands.
 
We kick things off by discussing the "Golden Rule" of craft beer: always pouring into a glass to capture the full flavor profile and aroma. Derek enjoys a Holiday Bark from Nashville Brewing Company—a 6.2% ABV, holiday-inspired brew born and bred in Nashville. Throughout the conversation, Derek opens up about his "higher purpose" in the industry: taking over the business side of things so musicians can stay focused on their art. From the adrenaline of his first booked show to the creative process behind his unique, hand-crafted promotional posters, Derek provides a masterclass on what it takes to build a DIY booking brand from the ground up.
 
Follow Gravistar Booking on IG - https://www.instagram.com/gravistarbooking/

Les Kerr: Hillbilly Blues, Caribbean Rock n Roll, and the Art of the Story

On this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I’m joined by Les Kerr, a prolific songwriter, musician, and journalist with twelve albums under his belt. We kept things classic with the drinks—Les went with a Corona, a "pedestrian" favorite that reminds him of playing beach bars along the Gulf Coast and the marketing influence of Jimmy Buffett. I tried out the Southern Crisp, a 4.4% ABV pilsner-style lager from Nashville’s own Southern Grist Brewing Company.
 
Les takes us on a journey from his youth in Pascagoula, Mississippi, to his long-standing music career in Nashville. He describes his unique sound as "Hillbilly Blues, Caribbean Rock n Roll," a blend inspired by New Orleans funk, Delta blues, and the singer-songwriter movement of the 70s. We discuss his latest album, Child of Highway 90, his process of writing lyrics before melody, and the resilience he found during the pandemic by performing 67 consecutive live shows from his home. Les also shares hilarious stories from his college days at Ole Miss and explains why he has intentionally never learned to play "Freebird" or "Sweet Home Alabama".
 

Brittany Elise: Overcoming Injury To Chase Country Music Dreams

In this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I’m joined by Brittany Elise, a Nashville-based country artist originally from Australia. We crack open some serious drinks for this one—I shared a 2025 Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, a massive 14.8% ABV Imperial stout with notes of bourbon, vanilla, and even a hint of Australian Vegemite. Brittany kept it refreshing with a grape-flavored White Claw, a nod to her "cool vibes" upbringing near the Great Barrier Reef.
 
Brittany shares her incredible journey from singing at age seven and representing Australia in national sports to overcoming a rare injury that forced her to learn to walk again. We discuss her transition from being a high school teacher in Australia to moving permanently to Nashville in 2025 to pursue her music career full-time. From ticking off bucket list items like playing the Bluebird Cafe to setting her sights on the Grand Ole Opry, Brittany’s story is a masterclass in resilience and authentic storytelling.

$imbuh: Turning Life Experiences and Trauma into Art

On this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I’m joined by $imbuh to talk about his recent releases and his journey as an independent artist. We enjoyed some heavy hitters for this session, with me sipping on a Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Cocoa Porter (8% ABV)—a rich, medium-bodied brew with notes of brown sugar and bourbon. $imbuh kept it crisp with an Angry Orchard as we dove into the realities of the music scene.
 
$imbuh shares how his music is a direct reflection of his life experiences, blending his own personal journey with stories shared by others. We discuss the unconventional sources of his inspiration, including navigating childhood trauma and the constant presence of video games during his upbringing. He also opens up about his creative process—from the moment he receives a beat to knowing exactly when a song is ready to be shared with his fans and his son. This episode is a deep dive into the discipline and passion required to thrive as an indie artist.

Kalvonix: Breaking the "Rapper" Box with Indie Pop, R&B, and ‘Mr. Nostalgia’

On this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I’m joined for a second time by Kalvonix (Mr. Nostalgia) to dive deep into his evolving sound and creative visual storytelling. We kick things off with a Black Chocolate Stout from Brooklyn Brewery—a heavy 10% ABV Russian Imperial Stout that sets a warm, earthy tone for a wide-ranging conversation.
 
Mr. Nostalgia opens up about the symbolism in his latest music videos, specifically the "happy cat" character that represents overcoming dark times and finding light after a "breakup" or personal struggle. We also discuss his bold decision to label his music as Indie Pop and R&B rather than just "rapper," a move designed to break out of the "box" and reach a wider audience on streaming platforms. From the technical challenges of his "Shadows Remix" to his upcoming album, Mr. Nostalgia, he shares how his cultural background and personal conversations inspire him to take risks and keep his creative process "fun".

CJ Brewer: The Business of Music and Life as a Special Event Performer

On this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I sat down with C.J. Brewer, a multifaceted musician, producer, songwriter, and special event performer. C.J. gives us an honest look into the reality of making a full-time income in music: while he writes and produces original music, he primarily makes his money by covering other people's songs for private events.
C.J. breaks down his life as an event performer—from playing weddings and corporate parties to birthdays and backyard barbecues year-round. He explains how he is hired through an agency and details his role in curating the perfect set list, which involves balancing his musical preference with the client's requests. We dive into the profound difference between playing a cover versus playing his own original song, which he considers a piece of himself. C.J. also opens up about the challenge of finding his own voice and the journey to discovering the confidence to put his original music out there.