In this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I sit down with Mike Haggith—an alternative rock songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist—whose music is rooted in raw honesty, mental health awareness, and classic DIY spirit. Based in Barrie, Ontario, Mike has carved out a name for himself by making music that cuts deep—mixing confessional lyrics with soaring instrumentals that tap into everything from 90s alt-rock to orchestral indie vibes.

In Part 1, Mike discusses his 2021 record Bridges helped him process some of his darkest moments—and the upcoming album All the Best In All You Do is the sequel to that emotional journey. We discuss the challenge of building a music career in Northern Ontario, what it means to be a solo artist backed by passion (not ego), and how MorningStar Records is helping give indie musicians a real shot.

Mike also gets real about stage fright, the power of repetition in writing, and why keeping promises to himself—like putting on his own music festival—is part of how he defines success.

🎧 Connect with Mike Haggith: 🌐 Website: mikehaggith.com 📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@mikehaggith 🎙️ Label: morningstarrecords.com

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

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