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

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

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

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 unapologetically authentic.

We talk about how his disability shaped his artistry, why he never holds back in his music videos, and how he’s grown from self-recording entire albums in a single night to dropping well-produced visuals with local filmmakers. Kalvonix also shares how being a movie buff influences his storytelling, the pressure of balancing mental health with creativity, and how he’s learned to accept being an introvert in a social media-heavy world.

🎧 Connect with Kalvonix: 📱 Instagram: @kalvonix 📺 YouTube: @kalvonixmusic 🎥 Movie Review Channel: @biastiumoviereview 🎶 Stream his music: Search “Kalvonix” on Spotify & Apple Music

#Kalvonix #TwoBeersPodcast #IndieHipHop #DisabilityAwareness #MentalHealthInMusic #StorytellingRap #IndependentArtist #CanadianRappers #MusicWithAMessage #AuthenticHipHop #DIYArtistJourney #InspirationalMusic #VancouverRapScene

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 your beat in the wrong direction.

They also open up about navigating contracts, the importance of content schedules, and building momentum through discipline, not hype. From inspirations like Pi’erre Bourne and Southside to their experiences in LA, working full-time, taking classes, and setting alarms to post content—this episode is a full-on masterclass in dedication and creative clarity.

🎧 Follow & work with Stryke and Xefe: 📱 IG: @strykemdown, @xefepunk 🎶 Beats: DM for customs or licensing 🎵 Look up placements via “Dro Cetro” on SoundCloud, Apple Music & Spotify

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 building a name through Instagram beat posts and LA studio trips.

They share their honest take on beat selling, creative burnout, music theory, and why they believe their sound hits different. We also dive into building an artist-producer relationship, learning from top rappers, and why some of the best music starts with a single idea and no rules. If you're a rapper, producer, or just someone obsessed with modern hip-hop production, this one’s for you.

🎧 Connect with Stryke and Xefe: 📱 Instagram: @strykemdown, @xefepunk 🎼 Beats & Custom Production: DM on IG or email (available on request) 🎶 Music placements: Look up “Dro Cetro” on SoundCloud, Apple Music & Spotify

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 music landscape, the struggle of social media, the grind of building an artistic brand, and why every indie artist should think like a label. Silver Boy also shares his philosophy on songwriting, writer’s block, and the cosmic beauty of inspiration. Plus, get an inside look at Mirror Mirror Network—a surreal, kitschy venue, fashion house, and creative hub where magic meets grit.

🎭 Follow Silver Boy (Marco With Love): 📀 Music: MarcoWithLove.com 📸 Venue & Creative Space: MirrorMirrorNetwork.com 📱 Socials: @MarcoWithLove | @MirrorMirrorNetwork 🛒 Get the vinyl: Available at Mirror Mirror Network, Grimey’s, The Groove, and Vinyl Tap in Nashville

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 visual identity.

We talk about the power of live performance, balancing showmanship with sincerity, and why he always gives 100%—whether he’s playing for five people or 5,000. We also dive deep into craft beer culture, from NA Stella to Corona with lime, and discuss the weird world of IPA flavors, venue options for sober artists, and how bartending helped Marco connect with the right people to finish his album.

Want to connect with Silver Boy? 🎭 Instagram: @marcowithlove 🎸 Website: marcowithlove.com 💿 Album: Silver Boy out now on vinyl via Outright Rock Records