2 Beers With The Band

Patrick Sewalk Part 2: Bartending, Home Remodeling, and the Hustle for Creative Flexibility

In the second half of my interview with Patrick Sewalk, we pick up right where we left off, this time sampling Southern Fest from Nashville’s own Southern Grist Brewing. This 5.4% ABV Oktoberfest-style lager has a distinct "sourdough bread" profile—clear, amber, and slightly sweet with a clean, hoppy finish .
 
Patrick opens up about the "around-the-clock" hustle required to sustain an independent music career in Nashville. He balances his creative work with part-time bartending at Soho House and a side business in home remodeling . We discuss why building a life around flexibility is vital for any artist hoping to tour . Patrick also shares his musical philosophy on "short-circuiting" muscle memory by switching between guitar and piano to find fresh inspiration, and he reflects on the life-changing impact of Radiohead’s In Rainbows .

JD Hip Hop Review: Championing the Independent Underground

On this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I’m joined by John Duggan, the force behind the world-famous JD Hip Hop Review. To keep things consistent, we both enjoyed a classic Stella Artois. I picked mine up at the grocery store after John mentioned it was his choice for the day—it’s a clean, 5% ABV lager that offered a crisp, slightly malty backdrop to a very real conversation about the music industry.
John takes us behind the scenes of his platform, which has become a vital "filter" and promotional tool for independent hip hop artists. We discuss his transition from a dedicated listener to a respected reviewer, and the "higher purpose" of his work: providing a platform where indie artists can get honest, constructive feedback rather than just "yes-man" praise. John shares his perspective on the current state of hip hop, the importance of professional presentation (from EPKs to high-quality audio), and why he prioritizes building genuine relationships over the transactional "pay-to-play" models that plague the industry. We also dive into the future of the JD Hip Hop Review and how artists can properly submit their music for a chance to be heard by his global audience.

Patrick Sewalk: From Songwriting to "Song Making" and the Zen of Deleting Art

In this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I’m joined by Patrick Sewalk, a Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and "song maker." We dive into the distinction between simply writing a song and the holistic process of making one. To keep the creative juices flowing, Patrick brought along The Rose, a Pub Ale from Nashville’s own Black Abbey Brewing Company. This ESB (Extra Special Bitter) is a dry, malty, and incredibly drinkable English-style ale that served as the perfect backdrop for our deep dive into the indie music world.
Patrick discusses the origins of his musical project, Patsy, and the release of his track "Tourist in Your Love." We explore his unique philosophy on creation, including his habit of "deleting" work as a meditative practice to focus on the joy of the process rather than the final product. From his roots in Pennsylvania to the collaborative spirit of the Nashville scene, Patrick shares insights on helping other artists find their voice while refining his own "bedroom pop" and indie-rock sensibilities.

Point Taken: Navigating the Chaos of a 7-Piece Band and "Sitcom Rock"

In this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I’m joined by Noah (lead vocals/guitar) and Colin (lead guitar) of the Nashville-based independent band Point Taken. We kicked things off by sampling Golden Monkey, a Belgian-style Tripel from Victory Brewing Company. At a potent 9.5% ABV, this beer features subtle notes of banana, nutmeg, and baking spice, making it a surprisingly "dangerous" easy-drinker that certainly helped loosen us up for the conversation .
 
Point Taken isn't your average rock band; they are a seven-piece powerhouse featuring a full horn line that replaces traditional keys or synths . We dive into their eclectic sound, which has been described as everything from "perfect sitcom rock" to "ska shoegaze," blending influences ranging from Van Halen and Led Zeppelin to Slipknot and Buddy Guy . The guys share how they manage a democratic songwriting process with seven members, the technical divide between old-school tube amps and modern digital modelers, and their ultimate goal: making music their full-time life .
 
 

Collaboration as a Craft: Kalvonix on 50+ Duets and Breaking Writer’s Block

In this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I’m joined once again by Kalvonix, a Vancouver-based hip-hop artist and a true "pro" when it comes to social media duets. For this conversation, I sampled the Wizard’s Order IPA from Nashville’s own Tailgate Brewing. This 6% ABV Tennessee craft beer features a citrus-heavy profile that resembles dark orange juice and offers a solid aroma with decent head retention .
Kalvonix dives deep into the world of digital collaboration, explaining how duetting allows an artist to follow another’s lead while adding their own unique "spin" or energy to a track. With over 50 duets under his belt, he discusses the strategic value of these collaborations for expanding an artist’s brand and gaining exposure across diverse social media fanbases. We also explore the technical side of the craft, from the frustration of "glitching" technology to using duets as a creative tool to break through writer’s block . Throughout the talk, Kalvonix emphasizes the importance of showing respect to other artists while maintaining a distinct creative identity in the ever-evolving hip-hop landscape.
 

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/