Hops & Spirits Bar Conversations

Late Night Thoughts joins Bar Conversations to talk about their latest EP Coming Back Home, the friendship that sparked the folk-pop duo, and the journey that has taken them from college classmates to touring artists. Brian Amado-Rauch and Michael Harlow share stories from their early days releasing music, including their debut single “Sh*t Happens,” and how their sound and songwriting have evolved over the years.Brian and Michael also dive into the making of Coming Back Home, discussing the inspiration behind the project, the stories woven throughout the songs, and tracks like “White Water.” Along the way, they talk about maintaining a strong friendship while navigating the music industry, Michael’s unique talent for balancing objects on his face, the personality-driven content that has connected them with fans online, and what life has been like after wrapping up a tour with The 502s. Plus, the duo shares their favorite songs to perform live, dream venues still on their bucket list, and what fans can expect from Late Night Thoughts throughout 2026.Jonathan’s Drinking: Bardstown Bourbon Rye

Country artist JD Shelburne is back to talk about his latest album Raised on the Good Stuff, his Kentucky roots, and the journey that’s taken him from small-town stages to the Opry. JD reflects on growing up in Taylorsville, performing in church, and teaching himself guitar after a life-changing moment in his grandmother’s house that sparked his passion for music. He shares stories from his early days chasing a dream in Nashville, playing more than 3,000 shows, and building an independent career driven by relentless work ethic and strong fan connection.JD dives into collaborating with songwriter Mark Nesler and recording with legends like the Oak Ridge Boys and Crystal Gayle. He also talks about his partnership with Inclusion Bourbon, the nerves and excitement of making his debut at the Grand Ole Opry, memorable onstage mishaps, and what fans can expect from him in 2026.Jonathan’s Drinking: Bardstown Bourbon Bottled-in-Bond

Country artist Hayden Baker talks about his journey from growing up in Katy, Texas, to becoming one of the most respected guitar players in modern country music. Hayden shares how early exposure to rural life, sports, and faith shaped who he is, and how picking up a guitar at 16—something he’s called a “God thing”—changed the direction of his life. He reflects on how an unexpected college injury led him to singing and songwriting, the music that influenced him early on, and what it’s like to have Brad Paisley call him his “new favorite guitarist.”Hayden also dives into his new album Alive & Well, explaining why he intentionally shifted the focus from guitar flash to growth as a vocalist and storyteller. He talks about working with Brad Paisley and Ronnie Dunn, receiving a gifted 1953 Telecaster, and the story behind Brad’s guest solo on Don’t Meet Your Heroes. We also discuss his decade-long independent career, winning Musician of the Year at the Texas Country Music Industry Awards, standout tracks like Home Into a House, I Had a Headache Once, and Country Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere, and what fans can expect from Hayden in 2026.Jonathan’s Drinking: Still Austin Cask Strength Bourbon

Maygen & The Birdwatcher join Bar Conversations to talk about their latest album The Americana Dream, songwriting, and building a band rooted in collaboration. We chat with Maygen Lacey and Noah Neumann to discuss growing up in Minnesota, early musical influences, and how their partnership began. From overcoming a fear of performing live to breaking the rules in piano lessons, they share how writing together helped shape their sound and confidence, as well as the origin of the band’s name and their evolution from a duo into a full six-piece band.Maygen and Noah also dive into The Americana Dream, described as a “sonic travelogue,” and what it was like working with producer John Fields, who pushed them to trust their instincts in the studio. They talk about balancing music with family and full-time careers, the early success of Moonshine and Bootleggin’ At The Flower Shoppe, and why collaboration remains central to everything they do. Plus, they share favorite songs to perform live and what fans can expect in 2026.Jonathan’s Drinking: Chicken Cock Ryeteous Blonde

Bluegrass-folk trio Damn Tall Buildings released their latest album The Universe Is Hungry this fall. We sit down with Avery Ballotta to talk about growing up in Montana, early musical influences, and how a love for music—and the fiddle—started at a young age. We dive deep into the inspiration behind the album, recording process, and the band’s commitment to staying truly independent—self-producing, self-managing, and even running their own music school in Brooklyn.Avery shares stories from studying at Berklee College of Music, meeting bandmates Max Capistran and Sasha Dubyk, and how the group’s journey began with busking on the streets of Boston before evolving into a decade-long partnership rooted in friendship, craftsmanship, and creative freedom. He also talks about touring with the U.S. State Department, performing bluegrass during cultural exchanges in Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia, and reimagining Roy Orbison’s “Blue Bayou” through a bluegrass lens. Plus, we discuss the band’s one-microphone live setup, how they decide vocal leads without a frontman, favorite songs to perform on stage, unforgettable moments from 2025, and what fans can expect from Damn Tall Buildings in 2026.Jonathan’s Drinking: McKenzie Straight Bourbon Whiskey

We sit down with country singer-songwriter Kelsi Mayne to talk about her latest singles “Someone Who Knows” and “For The Record,” and the winding road that’s shaped her career.Kelsi opens up about growing up in Windsor, Ontario, balancing music with life as a nationally ranked track athlete and registered nurse, and how playing bar gigs helped spark the realization that music was more than just a side passion. She reflects on releasing her debut album As I Go at the onset of the pandemic, the viral success of its Mad Max–inspired video, and why working closely with her brother has become such a big part of her creative process.We dive deep into the emotional core of “Someone Who Knows,” written in the aftermath of a cancelled wedding and recorded almost immediately, and how embracing vulnerability has led to her most honest music yet. Kelsi also talks about her high-energy live shows, her infamous “shots and squats” pre-show ritual, performing marathon sets at the Calgary Stampede, and what fans can expect as she looks ahead to 2026.Jonathan’s Drinking: Penelope Rio