Episode 169 - Brian Steely (Nod Hill Brewing)

This week’s featured artist is Brian Steely. We came to learn of Brian through our love of live music and the incredible concert posters he has made for bands like Phish, Mumford and Sons, and Widespread Panic. When we learned that he was doing labels and there were for a local CT Brewery, Nod Hill we were beyond excited. 

Interviews like this are easy because we both had so much in common that we could have spoken for hours. Brian and I had a lot in common and it felt like we had known each other from seeing each other at different shows of our favorite bands. On top of that, his story and how he got started working with Panic is pretty epic for a variety of reasons but I won’t spoil the surprise for you yet. Music, beer, buds, and bud make up his impressive portfolio and it’s clear to see why people love working with him. As part of that journey and exploration, Brian has developed a style that is truly his own and unique, a monoline style that draws inspiration from hieroglyphics to give it a timeless feel with a modern interpretation. Doing more with less in a sense.

We talk about folks using his work for tattoos, how he gets his clients, what it was like working with Phish (guilty here as I love that band and hearing about their process) and his appreciation for a good beer. This episode would have been perfectly framed in person both of us on a couch listening to a little Cornell ’77 or maybe my favorite Eyes from Without a Net. He has seen Panic way more than me and I have seen Phish more too, but it all made for an unspoken brotherhood in our love for music. 

While music is the soundtrack for him and his studio, he takes great pride in his craft and his ability to make each brand and project unique despite not depending on fancy tricks or extra layers. We discover his love of nature and animals and how they consistently appear in his works, which I love. From Minerva to Owls to Eagles and beyond the power of his work has a wonderful ability to do so much with so little, not to mention his comfort with empty space and framing of his work. 

All and all a great episode. We also talk about another CT Brewery, Hanging Hills, and the work that he did with their relaunch and rebrand as well as Mocama too and their new labels. He’s a busy dude and we can’t wait to share this one with all of you.

Episode 168 - Non Heinous (Beer Zombies Brewing)

This week’s featured artist is Heinous. We came to learn of him and his work through our good friend and 16oz Canvas alum, Beer Zombies. It’s amazing to think that we spoke with Mr. Zombie back on Episode 60.

This episode is an example of hustle, appreciation and going for it during these tough times. A fellow Philly sports fan, we connected on numerous levels and not just the pain and agony that is the state of our favorite sports team. 

Through unexpected means he has found a niche in creating work for fans, custom pieces and an impressive list of brewery labels. This former touring musician became a wrestler and now has found his sweet spot as an artist. I have huge admiration for him and see a lot in common as he does whatever it takes to provide for his family and takes nothing for granted with this opportunity to bring people’s brands and visions to life with his work.

A great episode of hard work and growth sprinkled in with wrestling and inspiration that I’m sure you’ll enjoy. 

Episode 167 - S.Y. Espinal (The Bronx Brewery)

This week’s featured artist is S.Y. Espinal. We came to learn of her creativity and calling through the label collaboration with Bronx Brewery. When breweries promote and celebrate art and people it creates a positive experience that resonates with me and makes me want to learn more about all parties.

We caught SYE on an IG Live with the brewery and knew that she would make a great guest. The episode is a great honest reflection of self and how we live our lives. We don’t have all the answers and putting ourselves out there as artists can be a lot for many.

Her story is inspiring, honest and real. This project is really a catalyst to promote and support amazing humans from all around the world and tell their story. Each guest controls the narrative and allows it to go in a multitude of directions, so when someone like SYE opens themselves up as she does with her story and her art it is an opportunity to have a shared experience and perspective.

With pride, she has built a community of folks who support each other and have added an additional layer to her message. Doing what’s right and being a good person is part of the universe that she is sharing with all of us. Her passion and fight is strong. It includes compiling a list of black-owned restaurants and industry location in the 5 Boroughs (over 250+) to support as a dynamic living public document is just one example. I felt an energy and don’t take the connections and perspective for granted. In a time that can be so draining and taxing on all of us (myself at times x 100), it is great and welcome to have genuine connections with strangers and share a moment.

Almost all of the guests on the podcast are people I have never spoken to in person. Each interaction other than a short warm-up and a few emails is a shared moment of sharing, listening and learning. I look forward to sharing it with all of you.

Episode 166 - Kelvis Polanco (Gun Hill Brewing Company)

 This week’s featured guest is Kelvis Polanco aka Fuzzed Up Bear. We came to learn of him through the recommendation of the crew at Uptown Beer Society in regards to the labels he has down for Gun Hill Brewing Company.

But this is a great example of why I love doing this project. The number of hats and personas he has and wears are vast with each being impressive, exciting and reflective. Learn the evolution of the Bear as an outlet and opportunity to create for himself after hours in corporate life and fashion. It has literally taken on a life of its own as an outlet for his life, society and commentary. Fuzzed Up Bear is honest, funny, tired and real. There is a Fuzzed Up Bear in all of us.

On top of that and what might be one of the most powerful and beautiful pieces of the story is his most recent collaboration with Pantone. Yes that Pantone. 

The Human Being Initiative

It was created to engage, educate and empower the public to support social change and the fight against racial inequality and injustice in the United States and beyond. 100% of the proceeds of the sale of any Human Being Initiative products will directly benefit the work of Black Lives Matter, American Civil Liberties Union and Campaign Zero. 

BUT wait there’s more… advice galore for folks getting started on their creative journey and those who have been at it for years. On top of that we talk about family and dad life as well as his newest adventure and what seems to be a culmination of his journey, tattoos. His new project and passion is called which Sick Crayons which from the IG account is awesome. I definitely want to get something from him in the future. This episode delivers and has a great perspective on life and doing what you love. You don’t want to miss it.

We dedicate this episode to all of the teachers out there who see something in us that we didn’t know was there. Thank you!

Episode 165 - Andrew Geppelt (Call to Arms Brewing Company)

This week’s featured artist is Andrew Geppelt. The awesome story of how we came to connect with him is through our bi-annual #16ozDoodleorDie with Mr. Robby Davis. His drawings and creativity blew me away from the start and I started following along with his creative instantly.

As with many of the artists that we follow (tag who else we should follow below), our hope is for them to one day do a label or something connected to beer. I’ve stretched and we do reach on some of these - awesome I know. When we came to learn that he was doing labels for Call to Arms it was a no brainer and we connected to be a part of this season. 

A great perspective and discussion about his journey and life and I think it will resonate with all of you. He is a hard-working creative who brings to life powerful imagery with such detail that has really resonated with me. Learn how he rode his bike and set up his remote office in their taproom until they brought him on board and he helped them expanded to cans. It wasn’t a sit-in but a good anecdote and inspiration for how to bring on new clients. Get that bike out of the garage my creative friends.

Our discussion is all over the spectrum but controlled and fluid, which are some of the best episodes where time flies and could become a 2 or three-part series. And on top of that, he is using his powers for good and some of these interpretations are calls for social justice and police reform and they have moved me. They are beautiful and powerful. The portrait of Elijah McClain is beautiful while gut-wrenching and moving. Thank you my friend for these. They mean a lot to me as we discuss on the episode.

Episode 164 - Michael Semenec (DSSOLVR)

This week’s featured guest is Michael Semenec from DSSOLVR. Episodes like this are unique because of his role at the brewery as Co-Owner. With each episode we see a unique perspective, role and position in the shaping of a brand and this one is truly unique. I feel that this episode comes at a great time as it is inspiring and introspective on life and our journeys, which aren’t always perfect but they shape who we are and make us appreciate what we have and what we have done.

Learn about his career and experiences that led him to make the leap in forming DSSOLVR as well as the unique name and branding that along with their impressive list of collaborations around the country has continued to grow the buzz and interest in this newly launched NC brewery. To me their social media game and posts are some of the most unique and creative period and that’s sans beer. It is part of the lore and energy of their brand and to cut through in this space is impressive to say the least. 

A great example of the power of imagery and branding to build interest and excitement. The creativity and utilization of social media platforms like IG to tell their story is one that he has mastered and made his own, but not without trial and error and mastery for years. Video is an art form in and of itself and it has become a great part of the announcements and energy too. You’ll be happy to hear more about it and dare I say even learn something. I hope one take away is to say F it and go for it, where it is something you want to do or learn and have been hesitant for a variety of reasons. It happens to all of us and that’s OK too.