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

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