After taking a week to recap the magic and madness of Hulaween 2025, Karl Engelmann returns to the show for part two — and we pick up right where we left off. Karl dives into life at his restaurant and bar, Epic Catering/Mel’s Place, including hosting the Cuddle Clouds album-release party on November 2nd.

From there, the duo gets into the world of independent artists — releasing music across formats, the wild talent of mastering engineers (Karl insists they’re “aliens”), and how his current project Cuddle Clouds ties into the broader web of creative work he’s building. He walks us through the roots of the old-time bluegrass movement, what it means to help keep the tradition alive, and how playing upright bass has shaped him both creatively and professionally.

They go everywhere: the impact of Hurricane Helene… leaf season in Western North Carolina... Arizona THC gummies… telepathy… and even the eternal question — did Pompeii have a house band? With Karl, it’s never a dull moment, and part two is no exception.

Part One: https://droppedamongthiscrowdpod.simplecast.com/episodes/a-conversation-with-multi-instrumentalist-karl-engelmann-part-one

Check out the self-titled debut from Cuddle Clouds wherever you stream music, and read Sara J's full review on Patreon → patreon.com/datcmediacompany

More from this week's guest:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cuddlecloudsband/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581501368985

https://www.instagram.com/epiccatering/

https://www.facebook.com/epiccateringllc

https://www.e-entrees.com

Theory One Productions: [https://www.theoryoneproductions.com/
https://www.instagram.com/theoryoneproductions/
https://www.facebook.com/theoryoneproductions

Mulheron Banjos: https://www.mulheronbanjos.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mulheron_banjos/

Donate to DATC Media Company: https://datcmediacompany.com/support

Give the gift of Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Datcmediacompany/gift

The DATC Media Podcast Family: https://datcmediacompany.com/podcasts

Want to be a guest on the show? https://datcmediacompany.com/contact/ola/services/be-a-guest-on-dropped-among-this-crowd-podcast

Want to be a RoughGauge featured artist? Send an email to: [email protected]

Want to work with Sara? Book a one-on-one session to bring your music/media vision to life: https://datcmediacompany.com/contact/ola/services/consulting-services-with-sara-j

Let's Collab! https://datcmediacompany.com/collab-opportunties-1

Want to hang out virtually? Join Sara and jD on Sunday nights on YouTube for Hip fan convos! https://www.youtube.com/@dewvre1974
Follow DATC Media:
https://datcmediacompany.com
https://www.facebook.com/datcmedia
https://www.instagram.com/datcmediacompany/

Follow Dropped Among This Crowd Podcast:
https://www.instagram.com/droppedamongthiscrowdpodcast/
https://www.facebook.com/droppedamongthiscrowd/
Email: [email protected]
Book a conversation on "Dropped among this Crowd": https://datcmediacompany.com/contact/ola/services/be-on-dropped-among-this-crowd-podcast

Follow Sara J:
https://www.facebook.com/sara.till41/
https://www.instagram.com/sarajachimiak/