🎧 This week on What’s the Reason for This?, Kodi and Shay sit down in the dungeon with the one and only Mark “Huggy Bear” Lavengood, a walking vibe, a musical Swiss Army knife, and quite possibly the only man out here lifting Billy Strings off the ground mid-hug. 🐻🎶🔥

From kitchen shifts at Founders Brewing to festival stages, studio builds, and full-on freak show hosting… this episode is a deep dive into the energy, evolution, and authenticity that make Huggy Bear exactly who he is.

This one gets into: 🐻 The origin of “Huggy Bear” and how one job interview hug turned into a full-blown identity 🥁 Starting on drums, teaching himself everything by ear, and unlocking music through pure intuition 🎸 The moment the switch flipped realizing he could play anything and chasing it across instruments 🎶 Building roots with Winter Sessions and finding his lane through experimentation and improv

But this episode really opens up when the journey expands…

🚐 Life on the road with Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys seven years of touring, growth, and tough decisions ⚖️ Choosing family, balance, and creative freedom over the “all-in” road life 🏡 Building his own lane from Bear Den Studio to festivals, collaborations, and entrepreneurial chaos 💿 What’s next: a brand new project “Wake Up Vol. 1 & 2” and continuing to carve out his own sound

And then… things get weird (in the best way possible).

🎭 Getting the call from Billy Strings’ camp and stepping into the role of Freak Fair host 🟡 Running wild through Asheville in full character, interacting with fans, and bringing the chaos to life 🤝 The deep Michigan roots and long-standing connection with Billy and the crew

At its core, this episode is about being unapologetically yourself trusting your instincts, following your curiosity, and knowing when to pivot without losing the passion that got you there in the first place.

🎧 Tap in now wherever you listen to podcasts. It’s hilarious, heartfelt, and a reminder that sometimes the best thing you can be… is just a damn good hug. 🐻✨

#WhatsTheReasonForThis #MarkLavengood #HuggyBear

🎧 This week on What’s the Reason for This?, Kodi sits down in the dungeon with Will “Mustang” McGee the groove-driving backbone of Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country for a deep dive into music, identity, and what it really takes to build your own sound. 🐎🎸🔥

From Memphis soul roots to sold-out festival stages, Mustang breaks down the journey balancing life on the road, developing his voice as a bassist, and carving out space for his own artistry through his solo project Horseplay. 🎶✨

This episode dives into: 🎧 Growing up on Memphis music and the influence of legends like James Jamerson, Chuck Rainey, and Donald “Duck” Dunn 🎸 Finding your voice as a musician and why playing with others is the fastest way to grow 💿 The story behind Horseplay and how it captures his deeper R&B and soul roots 🎙️ The creative process starting with a single line, opening the “portal,” and letting songs pour out 🔥 Life inside Cosmic Country, fearless songwriting, live experimentation, and building songs on the fly

And yes… they get into the chaos too.

🥕 The infamous “carrot” phenomenon how fans started “feeding the horses” mid-jam and turned it into a full-blown live show tradition 🌌 Festival moments like WinterWonderGrass, Cantina Band comebacks, and commanding massive crowds in real time 🎨 Life outside music drawing, collaborating with his fiancée, and finding balance on the road

But at its core, this episode is about identity and growth learning your craft, staying open to every opportunity, and trusting that every experience (even the messy ones) is shaping your sound.

🎧 Stream it now wherever you get podcasts. It’s thoughtful, hilarious, and packed with real insight for anyone chasing creativity — whether you’re on stage or just getting started. 🌊✨

#WhatsTheReasonForThis #MustangMcGee #CosmicCountry

🎶🔥 Banshee Tree: Evolution, Experimentation & the Road to a New Album 🔥🎶

This week in the dungeon, the crew welcomes Colorado’s genre-bending powerhouse Banshee Tree for a wild and insightful conversation about the band’s evolution, their upcoming album, and the strange, beautiful road that got them here. 🌲✨

From the early days playing weekly gigs under the Boulderado Hotel—with unlimited bar tabs and pheasant dinners—to touring the country and carving out a sound that refuses to sit inside any single genre, Banshee Tree shares the story behind more than a decade of musical experimentation.

What started as a swing-inspired project slowly morphed into something entirely its own: a high-energy fusion of electro-swing, jam improvisation, Balkan rhythms, jazz, and psychedelic dance grooves. With each lineup change and musical influence, the band leaned further into the idea that their strength comes from giving every member space for their unique voice to shape the sound. 🎷🎹🥁

In this episode we dive into:

✨ The early Colorado scene that helped launch the band 🎶 How weekly gigs became the band’s experimentation laboratory 🚐 Life on the road—from Key West to the Pacific Northwest 🎷 The addition of sax, synth, and new sonic textures 💿 The long, meticulous process of crafting their upcoming album 🎤 Why their current sound finally captures the true spirit of the band

The new record represents years of growth, lineup changes, studio experimentation, and relentless touring. After layering hundreds of tracks, refining arrangements, and reshaping songs along the way, the band is finally ready to share a project that reflects who Banshee Tree truly is today. 🌌

And the celebration is just getting started.

🎉 The official album release show is happening March 27th at the Fox Theatre in Boulder, where fans can get their hands on the physical vinyl before the digital release later in April.

If you love discovering bands that push boundaries, blur genres, and build something completely their own… this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

🎧 Tune in now and get ready to dive into the world of Banshee Tree.