The beat is back! Rhythm Cafe MKE kicks off its third season with the soulful sounds of Ben Mulwana, a Uganda-born artist now based in Kenosha. Blending groove, rock, and soul, Ben’s music explores love, loss, and everything in between. And he’s just one of six incredible artists featured this season.

This digital series gives you a front-row seat to Milwaukee’s vibrant music scene. Each artist’s journey unfolds over three segments: first, an intimate look at their inspirations, followed by two captivating performances. Whether you’re discovering a new favorite or celebrating local talent, Rhythm Cafe MKE is your backstage pass to the best music Milwaukee has to offer!

Tune in at MilwaukeePBS.org/RhythmCafeMKE, stream on the PBS App, or watch on YouTube!

Mar 26, 2025  Holy Pinto- Session 1, VOL35 | Milwaukee

"Milwaukee" captures the feeling of drifting into a place and, before you know it, realizing you’ve put down roots. When I first came here, I wasn’t sure I was moving—I just kept coming back. And one night, after a week of going out, after a Father John Misty show, I finally stayed in. It felt strange, even guilty, to sit still. That moment inspired the song’s refrain: I’m not out tonight.

Mar 19, 2025  Eric Erickson- Session 1, VOL33 | Peaches n' Cream

"Peaches n’ Cream" started with a conversation. A friend once told me, "You should put a little more snap in your music." Curious, I asked what he meant, and he told me he loved the old greats—Ella Fitzgerald, the scat singers, that classic jazz and swing sound that’s harder to find these days. That idea stuck with me.

Mar 12, 2025  Mie- Session 1, VOL31 | Mie

"Ice" captures the emotional walls we put up after heartbreak. After leaving a long-term relationship, I found myself hesitant to trust, afraid of being hurt again—especially by those who once swore they wouldn’t.

Mar 5, 2025  Maxwell James- Session 1, VOL29 | Good at Being Alone

"Good At Being Alone" is about embracing solitude—not out of loneliness, but as a way to recharge. As an introvert, I love being social, but I also need space to decompress and be creative. Like the lyric says, "I'm just a mammal in the sea, I need to surface just to breathe."

Feb 25, 2025  Ben Mulwana- Session 1, VOL27 | Embozi

Ben Mulwana is a Ugandan-born and raised artist residing in Wisconsin. With songs about love, loss and everything in between, Ben’s band project “Ben Mulwana and the Village” is made of a groovy, rock and soulful sound from a group of amazing musicians.

Apr 25, 2024  Bisca Rae- Session 1, VOL26 | Beautiful Girl

On a wonderful musical journey, creating, sharing, and loving every second. Constantly searching for company to come along, or stay for now, the space is always open.

Apr 15, 2024  Raf- Session 1, VOL26 | Souvenirs

On a wonderful musical journey, creating, sharing, and loving every second. Constantly searching for company to come along, or stay for now, the space is always open.

Apr 11, 2024  *aya - Session 1, VOL25 | Apartment

*aya, a 21-year-old, Milwaukee-based, Palestinian singer/songwriter who isn't confined by genre. With the ability to move from hyperpop to indie to neo-soul, the constant is their jazz-leaning vocal approach.

Inspired by artists like Jill Scott, Ari Lennox, Faye Webster and even Outkast, *aya's songs wrestle with love, loss, mental health, self-reflection and growth.

Apr 4, 2024  Walt Hamburger - Session 1, VOL23 | Do Crimes

"Do Crimes" is a heartfelt love song that captures the essence of a profound connection born from a chance encounter. Inspired by the songwriter's own experience, the song recounts the magic of a first date and the overwhelming feeling of knowing that someone is truly special.

Set against the backdrop of the early days of a pandemic, "Do Crimes" serves as a beacon of hope and joy in uncertain times.

Mar 28, 2024  Liv Mueller - Session 1, VOL23 | Goin Down

Liv Mueller is a songstress who has lived in the likes of Nashville, Austin & the fine Midwest. Her Vocals are a beautiful combination of sparkle & smoke, taking any listener to another time.

"Going Down" is dedicated to a friend of mine that I lost. Its really about untreated mental health issues and substance abuse disorder and where it can take people if they're not getting the right support or love or encouragement.

Mar 21, 2024  Mathew Haeffel - Session 1, VOL22 | What I've Found

This song is a whimsical creation, heavily influenced by the likes of Pinegrove and Americana Indie music. 

The catchy riff, born a year ago, laid the groundwork for its melody. While the music flowed effortlessly, penning down the lyrics was a bit of a challenge. Nevertheless, the song blossomed into a reflective piece, exploring themes of self-discovery and personal growth. https://youtu.be/ZsyFauR5UDE

Mar 18, 2024  Octavio Arcanjo - Session 1, VOL21 | Saudade Do Mar

"Saudades do Mar" is a heartfelt original song that beautifully captures the essence of longing and nostalgia. With poetic Portuguese lyrics, it paints a vivid picture of the deep yearning to leave behind the familiar shores and embark on a journey guided by the ebb and flow of the tide. 

The bittersweet taste of farewells is likened to the flavor of the sea, as it carries the singer towards the next chapter of life, where the hope of reuniting with a loved one lingers.

Mar 7, 2024  Hyer - Session 1, VOL20 | Drain

This song is a whimsical creation, heavily influenced by the likes of Pinegrove and Americana Indie music. 

The catchy riff, born a year ago, laid the groundwork for its melody. While the music flowed effortlessly, penning down the lyrics was a bit of a challenge. Nevertheless, the song blossomed into a reflective piece, exploring themes of self-discovery and personal growth. 

Feb 29, 2024  Rayven - Session 1, VOL19 | Evergreen

"RAYVEN" is an artist based in the Midwest area. Born Rayven Monique June Craft in Racine, WI in 2000, a pastors kid and an eclectic young black girl, she was heavily influenced by gospel icons such as Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Tasha Cobbs. 

Rayven brings us her latest original, Evergreen. In her own words, "Evergreen is actually a song that I wrote and dedicated to my girlfriend whom I love very very much. The song title kind of came out of nowhere, but by definition, means just something that's growing and Lasting forever. That's kind of how I feel about my love not only for her but for for my friends for my family for music it's something I'd love to grow and just last forever."

July 6, 2023  Klassik - Session 1, VOL9 | Invisible Man

Klassik. Milwaukee Hip-Hop/Rap/Electro-Soul Performing Artist and Producer. Curator and community activist. Milwaukee Artist of the year.

June 29, 2023  Derek Pritzl - Session 1, VOL8 | Junkyard Roads

One minute Derek is leaning on the bar, drinking a beer, and telling you stories from his youth of factory shifts and midnight dirt bike rides through empty quarries. The next minute he steps on stage, picks up a guitar, and begins to sing. 

With a thousand mile stare and a voice as gentle as it is fierce, Derek's music comes at you like a beautiful and sudden spring storm. After seeing him play, his songs, words, and layers of meaning continue to echo and churn like thunder in the distance.

June 19, 2023  Hanna Simone - Session 1, VOL7 | Left Unsaid

Hanna aims to persuade the audience to feel a real musical connection and intimacy with lyrical vulnerability and honesty.

Influenced by Brandi Carlile, Jewel, and H.E.R., Hanna started performing in Nashville as a solo artist at age 16. After relocating to Milwaukee, she put together a talented and close-knit band that compliments her style and originality. In a live setting, a driving passion is evident as her blues vocals blend with the high-energy rock edge provided by the musicianship and creativity of her band. Intricate lyrics, matched with her timbre, demonstrate her musical sensibilities as an independent artist. 

June 12, 2023  Matt Tyner - Session 1, VOL6 | Melancholy Song

I’m a self-taught musician, singing and playing guitar most of my life. I enjoy performing solo and collaborating with a variety of talented local musicians putting together duos, trios and my band, DON JUAN and the PAWNSHOP GIGOLOS.

Influences like Blues great Muddy Waters, Alt-Americana legend Tom Waits, Rock n’ Roll’s elite Rolling Stones and Classic Country hero Hank, Sr. are just some of the artists that inspire my original tunes and interpretations. My home base is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin but I have and will play anywhere and for any occasion! I hope to see you at one of my shows.

May 25, 2023  Dandy L. Freling - Session 1, VOL4 | The Storm

Dandy L. Freling. A Boot Stompin' Finger Pickin' Folkie. A highway-kind traveler combining a touch of the high and lonesome hollers of the Appalachian hill people with the low-down, dusty grooves of the cosmic cowboys, Dandy has created a unique songwriter banquet sure to satisfy the hunger of any weary passerby. 

May 18, 2023  Stephen Hull - Session 1, VOL3 | Snake will be a Snake

Hull is a blues musician from Racine, Wisconsin. He started playing the guitar at just 14 years old. Stephen continues to dazzle audiences with his soulful vocal sound and masterful skill on the guitar. 

Stephen has been rising fast in the blues clubs of Chicago and southeastern Wisconsin. Stephens strong musical roots gives the blues community exciting evidence that the future of Blues music is in good hands.

May 11, 2023  Ty Wilder - Session 1, VOL2 | After Party Interlude

Ty Wilder is a rising star in the R&B/Soul music scene from the north side of Milwaukee, WI. 

Ty’s main influences come from being deeply involved with her church choir at St. Matthew C.M.E then being blessed with the opportunity to pursue voice lessons at the Wisconsin conservatory at the age of 12. Influenced by her beautiful family mentors and studying the music being played in her home growing up, she is deeply passionate about maintaining that spiritual and familial connection in her music.

May 4, 2023  Jacob Slade - Session 1, VOL1 | However You May

Jacob is a 25-year-old singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist from Milwaukee, WI. 

He challenges the boundaries of folk, pop, and rock to create a refreshingly honest and unique take on indie music. His thoughtful lyrics and gently layered instrumentation help
to create soundscapes that intrigue the listener.