In this episode, we sit down with Mario Ostermann   / mario.ostermann.music, a talented violinist who performs with different bands throughout Hamburg, including on the famous Reeperbahn in St. Pauli — Hamburg's legendary entertainment and red-light district. We talk music, live performance culture, the local country scene in Germany, and how it connects with the country roots and stories coming out of Modesto, California.

New Zealand singer-songwriter Nick Hohepa joins us at the Kitchen Table to reflect on a lifetime of making music. Drawing on decades of experience, Nick shares a veteran's perspective on performance, perseverance, and what it takes to sustain a creative life as an artist. We also discuss his role as a mentor to younger musicians navigating the challenges of today's music industry. Nick sticks around to perform a song from his upcoming album, Instruction Manual, making this a thoughtful and inspiring conversation for anyone who loves songwriting and the craft of making music.

Nickhohepa.com

Singer-songwriter and Country Roads bar owner Loughrey Kuhn joins us at the kitchen table to talk about the journey that brought him to Germany and his decision to leave a desk job behind in pursuit of music. He shares the realities of trying to make a living as an independent musician, the challenges of starting over in a new country, and the long road that led him to where he is today. It's an honest and engaging conversation about risk, perseverance, and following the music wherever it leads. Find out more about his bar here