2 Beers With The Band

In this concluding installment of New Release: The Talk, we pick up where we left off, diving into the second half of Kalvonix’s genre-bending album, Mr. Nostalgia. We’re breaking down the remaining tracks from the high-energy "TKO" to the emotional bookend "Alone in My Room II." To facilitate the deep dive, I’m sipping on Jackalope White, an All-American lager from Nashville’s own Jackalope Brewing Company. It’s a crisp, approachable beer that kept the conversation flowing as we analyzed the evolution from Track 8 to Track 14.
Kalvonix continues to prove that his shift from rap to 80s synth-pop wasn’t just a phase but a full artistic transformation. We explore the collaborative energy of his track with saintJESTER, the storytelling behind "The Sun Shined Differently Back Then," and the "full circle" feeling of the album's conclusion. We also discuss the importance of ignoring the naysayers and why this melodic, nostalgic sound might just require a permanent "alter ego" for his future career.

In this debut installment of our spinoff series, New Release: The Talk, we’re slowing things down to pull apart the layers of Kalvonix’s ambitious new project, Mr. Nostalgia. While we usually just grab a brew and chat, this time we’re breaking down the sound and visuals from the first note to the final frame. Sampling Nashville’s own Mill Creek Brewing, we dive into Shirt Tugger, a 6.2% ABV American Strong Pale Ale that provides the perfect backdrop for a trip down memory lane.
 
 
Kalvonix, long known in the scene as a rapper, surprises us by leaning heavily into a polished, 80s-inspired pop sound. We discuss the cinematic influences of Michael Jackson and Madonna, the technical work behind alien makeup and "shadow" demons, and how his personal life—specifically the support of his girlfriend—became the "angelic" voice of the album.

In this sprawling, high-energy episode of Two Beers With The Band, I sat down with a man who truly lives up to his name: SB The Anomaly. Before we dove into his multifaceted career, we cracked open a bottle of Chimmay, a potent 8% ABV ale.
 
SB is a whirlwind of talent—an international entertainer, DJ, publisher, author, choreographer, motivational speaker, actor, model, and life coach. We explored his transition from a classroom teacher to a full-time creative, his deep love for the storytelling in anime, and how he successfully overcame a stutter to become a powerful public speaker. We also got technical about the business of being "indie," discussing why education systems fail artists by ignoring business skills and how creative merchandise (like a shirt emphasizing the "ART" in "worst pART") can be a lifeline for touring musicians

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 .

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.

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.

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 .
 
 

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.