There's not much Cheese in Hollingsworth's new sound

It's been two years since Colorado's The String Cheese Incident announced a hiatus, but keyboardist Kyle Hollingsworth has been busier than ever.

He in on tour with a new album and will be at The Pour House on Nov. 19.

"Then There's Now," released in September, is an eclectic, improvisational mix of funk and hip-hop. It is his second solo effort since 2004's "Never Odd or Even."

"I would describe it as ever-changing," said Hollingsworth of his style. "I think I find different points in my life where I'm attracted to different sounds. Right now, it's a funk, hip-hop kind of thing. The album is more of a Beck-style sound."

"It's extremely danceable and accessible music," he said. "It's very groove-oriented. I'm playing songs off my new disc, but I'll be playing some older String Cheese songs, too. Make sure you bring your hoola hoop and come groove out."

Hollingsworth, a Baltimore native, learned his jam-out, improvisational style through jazz. Between his jazz piano degree from Towson University and his on-the-road experience, he said he learned all he needed to become a force in String Cheese and now on his own.

"My degree helped me to become a better improvisational player, helped develop my ear to hear what is going on around me and have a conversation with the musicians around me. My real education was the 300-plus days on the road a year," he said.

"I love the interaction between musicians. I love the spontaneity of being in that moment. What I love about it is, you can go anywhere, any time and live in that moment."

Joining Hollingsworth on "Then There's Now" are guitarist Ryan Jalbert, bassist Garrett Sayers and drummer Dave Watts. Making cameos on the album are DJ Logic on turntables, SCI's percussionist Jason Hann, vocalist Liza Oxnard and singer/songwriter Dar Williams.

"I was really trying to step out of the String Cheese level and try to expand my brain in a way, with music," said Hollingsworth. "I think on this album, all the influences come together. It's a typical kind of funk and hip-hop, but there are more vocals on this, which hasn't been there before."

Also absent from past musical endeavors but always close to Hollingsworth is his love for local brews. He is a home brewer and creator of Hoppingsworth IPA with Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery in Colorado.

He's using his current tour to find new breweries on the East Coast for meet and greets. He draws parallels between his improvisational style for making both music and beer.

"I'm trying to get my fans turned on to good beer," Hollingsworth said. "There's that connection to music and improvisation. When you have your basic skills, it's when you step out of your comfort zone and try something new. The same way I'm in the moment in music, I just jump in."

If you go

Who: Kyle Hollingsworth and The Ryan Montbleau Band.

When: 8 p.m. Nov. 19.

Where: The Pour House, 1977 Maybank Highway.

Cost: $13 at www.etix.com, all Cat's Music and Monster Music locations.

Hear His Music: www.kylehollingsworth.com.

Info: 571-4343 or www.charlestonpourhouse.com.