2 Beers With The Band

ADMONISH Music on Legacy, Truth & Peaceful Chaos: Why I Create Music That Heals

In Part 1 of my conversation with ADMONISH Music on Two Beers With The Band, I sit down with an artist who’s unapologetically authentic. ADMONISH Music doesn’t fake his sound—he creates from truth. His music blends soulful R&B foundations with gritty hip-hop, infused with storytelling and real-life emotion. We dive into his journey from sampling records to producing original melodies, and how his sound evolved into what he calls “peaceful chaos”—inviting melodies laid over hard-hitting hip-hop drums.
ADMONISH Music breaks down how he's more than a musician—he's a creative consultant, entrepreneur, and branding expert. From launching Deelorri Enterprises to building merchandise that reflects unity and growth, he uses every part of his life experience to inspire others. He explains how vulnerability in music builds lasting fan relationships and why he writes music for himself first—to stay grounded and honest.
We explore his desire to expand into sync licensing for film and video games, the intentional choices behind his album Hit Therapy, and the importance of removing names and places so listeners can project their own truth onto each track. From mentorship and creative rituals to the sacrifices made for the craft, Admonish opens up like never before.
Whether you’re a hip-hop head, an R&B lover, or just someone who values real artistry—this episode is for you. This is what it looks like when music isn’t just a job—it’s a calling.
🎧 Connect with ADMONISH Music:🌐 admonishmusic.com📺 YouTube & 📸 Instagram: @admonishmusic

Mike Haggith on Healing, Unreleased Songs, and the Meaning Behind ‘All The Best In All You Do’

In Part 2 of my interview with Mike Haggith, we get into the creative heart of his new album All The Best In All You Do. Mike shares how this project is not just a collection of songs—it's a personal promise to grow, stay present, and honor the journey started on his earlier album Bridges.
He talks about the emotional challenge of playing unreleased material live, the vulnerability that comes with sharing new work before it’s perfected, and how building entire albums around singular moments has become a defining part of his process. We also explore what success looks like for him now: consistency, connection, and creating music that means something long after it’s released.
Whether you're an indie artist, a fan of honest rock music, or someone navigating your own creative road, this episode is full of real talk and hard-won insights.
🎧 Connect with Mike Haggith:🌐 Website: mikehaggith.com📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@mikehaggith🎙️ Label: morningstarrecords.com

Mike Haggith Talks Borderline Brilliance, Mental Health & Building a Music Legacy

In Part 1 of this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I sit down with Canadian alternative rock artist Mike Haggith for an honest conversation about building a music career from Northern Ontario. We dive into his DIY approach, the evolution of his sound, and the real challenges of sustaining momentum when you're not in a big industry hub.
Mike talks about the emotional weight of his 2021 album Bridges, and how it marked a turning point in how he communicates through music. From finding peace in the process to the creative decisions behind his upcoming album All The Best In All You Do, Mike opens up about the responsibilities of being a solo artist, including songwriting, production, and promotion.
We also discuss how he defines success, how he handles stage fright, and why he’s more focused than ever on leaving behind something meaningful.
🎧 Connect with Mike Haggith:🌐 Website: mikehaggith.com📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@mikehaggith🎙️ Label: morningstarrecords.com

Darth Marden on Mental Health, Mixing Secrets & Why He’ll Never Chase Trends

In Part 2 of my interview with Darth Marden, we pull back the curtain even further on the life, mind, and mission of one of underground alt-rock’s most self-aware creators. Michael opens up about his experience with mental illness, spending time in a mental health facility during high school, and how music became the one thing that kept him centered through it all. We talk openly about how artists hide their struggles, how creatives are wired differently, and how embracing those imperfections can deepen the connection between artist and audience.
We also get into the details: the infamous “car test” for mixing, why vocal comping is a nightmare, and how writing always starts with guitars—not lyrics. Darth shares why he doesn’t chase trends or four-chord formulas to get popular, and why authenticity always wins out over fame. Plus, he drops thoughts on introversion vs. extroversion, the reality of juggling family, fatherhood, and 50-hour workweeks—and what success really means for a DIY artist like him.
🎧 Connect with Darth Marden:📱 Instagram: @darth_marden📱 Venue Platform: @venue_features📺 YouTube: Search "Darth Marden" or "Venue Features"🧠 Artist Support: Weekly livestreams, artist of the week, and no-pay promotions

Darth Marden Breaks Down: the DIY Music Life, Philosophy, Fatherhood & Full Control

In this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I crack open a cold one with Darth Marden—also known as Michael—a one-man band, philosopher-at-heart, and alt-rock storyteller based in Knoxville. Known for his heavy, dark, guitar-driven sound that dances between Tool, Deftones, and Linkin Park, Darth Marden talks about crafting complex songs as a solo artist, balancing a corporate day job with raising a family, and still finding time to write, produce, mix, and market his own music—plus help promote underground artists via his role at Venue Features.
We get into the philosophy behind his songwriting, why he prefers odd time signatures, and how his music is more about getting the noise out of his head and into the world than chasing fame. Michael also opens up about the emotional weight of fatherhood, his latest track “Leaving” written for his kids, and how his collaborations through the project KMP (with artist Paris) are blending rock and hip-hop in unexpected ways.
🎧 Connect with Darth Marden:🎶 Streaming Platforms: Search “Darth Marden”📱 Instagram/TikTok: @venuefeatures💥 New Collab: KMP debut single drops July

Vocals First, Ego Last: How The Lillypillies Mix Their Music and Stay True to the Art

In Part 2 of my conversation with Manny from Australian indie pop band The Lillypillies, we dive into the creative choices that separate real artists from noise. Manny shares why he always mixes his own music—and why vocals will always come first. He talks about the ego trap in live bands, how venues often bury the lead (literally), and why he finds more creative control in the studio than onstage.
From writer’s block to merging unfinished tracks, from emotionally layered pop songs to the dancey, vulnerable hit “I’m a Loner and a Misfit,” Manny unpacks the craft behind every release. We also talk about building global reach from Australia, why he doesn't worry about local gigs anymore, and how pop music can still be deeply personal without being autobiographical.
We finish with legacy, resilience, and how Manny hopes his music continues to echo long after he’s gone. This one’s for the artists who write from the soul, mix from the gut, and dream beyond their hometown.
🎧 Follow The Lillypillies:📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@TheLillypillies📱 Instagram: instagram.com/thelillypillies🎶 Available on all streaming platforms

DIY Pop from Down Under: The Lillypillies’ Manny on Indie Hustle, Global Reach & Creative Freedom

In this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I sit down with Manny of Australian indie pop/rock band The Lillypillies to talk about what it really means to build a music career outside of the major label system. Manny shares how the band just wrapped their third album Teleport Back—the final piece in a trilogy following Run to the Future and Songs from the Present Day. He breaks down how the band’s visual aesthetic, video strategy, and focus on DIY creativity helped them find fans around the world—without ever needing a record deal.
We chat about everything from uploading music to Australian radio via Amrap, staying inspired through travel, and the importance of finding a balance between live shows and content creation. Manny also shares his secret weapon: testing mixes in the car before releasing them, and why he treats music videos like art pieces, not throwaway content. Whether you’re an indie artist trying to do it all or a fan of international pop that doesn’t fit the mold, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.
🎧 Connect with The Lillypillies:📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLillypillies🎶 https://www.instagram.com/thelillypillies/🌍 Tip: Add “band” or “music” when Googling “The Lillypillies” to avoid tree results

Kalvonix on Nostalgia, Music Ownership & Why Every Song Is a Time Capsule

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 experiment with 80s aesthetics, catchy melodies, and full-on vocal delivery.
We discuss how every song he writes serves as a time capsule of moments, feelings, and personal milestones—from heartbreak to healing to celebrating life’s small wins. Kalvonix also opens up about writing for film, contributing a song to the indie movie Road to Thriller on Amazon Prime, and performing in front of 12,000 people at the Vancouver Olympics where he caught the attention of a Grammy-winning Eminem producer.
He gets honest about the realities of indie music financing, the balance between day jobs and studio dreams, and how social media and streaming have become his tools for independence. Whether it's building music videos with childhood friends or turning memories into anthems, Kalvonix proves that every artist can create their own lane—without waiting for industry validation.
🎧 Connect with Kalvonix:📱 Instagram: @kalvonix📺 YouTube: @kalvonixmusic🎥 Movie Reviews: @biastiumoviereview📜 Writing/Blogs: Medium - Kalvonix🌐 Linktree: linktr.ee/kalvonix