Two Days in NYC

The inspiration for METTLE Beverage and the canned cocktails we make comes directly from those who choose to create and share that with the world. We want to make drinks to toast that courage and build a brand that supports and amplifies that effort. With that, we had the opportunity to go into Brooklyn, NY, and spend time with some amazing people in the city—each with a unique story and creative expression.

Traveling to the city is always an experience; there’s nothing like New York. The energy is nonstop, and there are always things in motion. Woven into the fabric of the city and its boroughs is a rich ecosystem for creatives. There are countless places to experience live music, street art, studio space, galleries, food, and every other form of expression. I was only able to scratch the surface, but the people we met represented this thriving space.

Day 1 –

We started with a talented pianist, Charlie Lowe, who somehow managed to get a piano up multiple flights of stairs. Upon arrival, we were welcomed by him and a charming little pup he was watching. He’s incredibly talented, and despite working full-time, he’s carving out space and time to make beautiful music. He personified dedication and shared the challenges of following your passion even when your energy is drained from the demands of daily life.

Next, we visited a building you won’t find in many cities—floor after floor of studio space rented and shared among a whole range of art forms. We had the pleasure of talking with Maddie Donnelly, who creates incredible paintings and sketchbooks inspired by a time when only still photography and drawings were available to magazines and marketers. She finds a way to bring those 60-year-old images into a fresh new lens, all her own.

Our day ended with what can only be described as part live performance, part happy-hour conversation, with another talented musician named Luke Strocity. His love for the art form bursts out of him as pure joy. He played both piano and bass, and through the movement of his fingers, that energy filled the room—creating a moment that was both unique and uplifting. His story shed light on the life of a full-time working musician and the different ways to make that life sustainable.

Day 2 –

We started the morning with a live acoustic session and conversation with Tyler of the band “ok, tyler” and his new release, NOTHIN’. We got chills listening to it live. His talent, voice, and songwriting are undeniable. He talked about the challenge of balancing work and play—and the goal of going full-time with the band. Finding a “day job” that both pays the bills and doesn’t drain your creative energy is a fine line, but it sounds like he’s found a sweet spot.

There are so many mediums and inspirations for art, and our conversation with Aubrey Casazza highlighted just that. She expresses her talent digitally, drawing inspiration from anime and video games. Her illustrations are entirely her own—no assists from AI. The imagery and creativity were incredible. Hearing her story and the struggles she’s faced on the journey to find herself was moving.

Next up was a conversation with singer, songwriter, and filmmaker Taylor Luckenback. She’s soft-spoken but immensely powerful as an artist. We were lucky she happened to be in New York for a short visit and that our schedules aligned. We had a wonderful chat about growing up, rediscovering inspiration, and returning to a passion for creating. She plays her best music without a crowd, and with only a microphone as her audience, she delivered a stunning acoustic piece.

Our day ended on a very different and incredibly fun note—a tasting and back-and-forth conversation with Cesar Jaitman, an engineer by day and home chef by night. We lined up over 10 different NA and A cocktails to taste, discuss, and pair with dishes. This session was a blast, and we learned so much about flavor, drink, and food combinations. A bonus was getting to know Cesar through the process—his Argentinian roots, culinary inspirations, and love for sports. The session was made even more memorable with a peanut gallery of amazing individuals who brought color commentary to the experience.

We’ll be releasing video and audio of all these inspiring conversations with such talented people. We want METTLE Cocktails to be a toast to the very courage each one of these artists shows—and that’s a tall task.

Cheers,

Nate Wannlund, Founder