GRAHAM LEBRON

Graham LeBron has played in the Rogue Wave, The Album Leaf, and Port O'Brien in addition to releasing solo albums under the Golden Gram moniker.

What was the food highlight of your year?

The food highlight of my year was realizing you can use yogurt instead of milk to make amazing scrambled eggs. It blew my mind. I always have yogurt, I rarely have milk.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Same as last year. Huichica Music Festival because I got to DJ again, but this time with my old friend Eric "EDJ" Johnson.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

That would be Huichica again. Their food and wine selections were a perfect compliment to the mellow outdoor music vibes.

@goldengram

JEFF BUNDSCHU

Jeff Bundschu is President of Gundlach Bundschu Winery and co-founder of Huichica Music Festival.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Hands down stumbling into State Bird Provisions one night last spring. I was taking my daughter and her friend to see G-Eazy at the Fillmore in SF and had a few hours to kill. SBP is just adjacent to the venue and the commotion through the window, the line outside, and the understated sign all caught my eye. Somewhere in the fog I might have heard the name and it was enough for me to go in and ask the concierge if there was any way I might get a seat at the bar. I have since heard that it books two months in advance for reservations. She took my phone number, pointed me to a good bar and said she'd text within 45 minutes. Thirty minutes later I was in and sitting and then the adventure started. The bar was right up against the kitchen and the cook in front of me doubled as my server, host, and food educator. Knowing nothing of the format when I sat down, I was mesmerized by the checklist menu, the pick-and-choose little dishes that kept coming by seat-side, and the continual commentary by the super friendly chef. I don't remember any one thing I ate that night, probably because I ate EVERYTHING. On a night where sitting in my car in a parking garage reading the latest New Yorker was an acceptable option, I instead wandered into the meal of year!

What was the music highlight of your year?

My homegrown choice has to be Real Estate at the amphitheater under the stars at Gundlach Bundschu winery. It was just down right epic. I LOVE that band and to have them on our hillside making that beautiful music brought me to tears more than once. Like Blitzen Trapper in 2013, it was one of those pinch me moments - as in, 'That band, here?'.

Away from home it was for sure tUne yArDs at the Pabst theater in Milwaukee. I had been wanting to see them/her for years having stumbled into an early record prepping for a SxSW trip a while back, and it was serendipity that they were playing one of America's most iconic theaters on my one free night. Merrill Garbus is a treasure and she just killed it. So super unique and creative, her music is driven by rhythm and vocals, and some other worldly force. They really are way way outside, but some how still so approachable.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Easy breezy: Jammin on a BUNK cubano, swigging Gun Bun Mountain Cuvee, and grooving to Kelley Stoltz at Huichica Music Festival. Yeah I am a homer and totally biased, but blah blah. If there is a better food/music (and wine!) scene I haven't found it.

@sonojeff

MATT NORRIS

Matt Norris is co-owner and bar manager at Soluna Cafe in San Francisco.

What was the food highlight of your year?

The food highlight of my year is difficult to pinpoint, living in SF means no shortage of delicious food and drink. A truly memorable experience would have to be a meal I had at Hartwood Restaurant in Tulum, Mexico. A funky little place on the edge of the jungle,  just a stones throw away from the beach. Everything that comes from the kitchen, luscious meats, fresh seafood, gets a touch of smoke from being cooked over various wood fires. No electrical appliances in the kitchen, everything done by hand, just simple, straightforward food comprised of quality ingredients. Sitting under the stars, surrounded by the silhouettes of coconut palms, there is no better place to enjoy some chorizo empanadas and fresh caught octopus washed down by a few (or more) mezcal cocktails.

What was the music highlight of your year?

One of my favorite sets this year would have been Atoms for Peace at Treasure Island, it was freezing by the time they took the stage, but it was worth toughing it out to watch two musicians with very different backgrounds come together. The thump of Flea’s bass was more present live than on the album and Thom Yorke, as always, gave a hypnotic performance.  Alt-J at the Fillmore blew my mind, odd a capella harmonies coupled with deep, atmospheric music giving voice to some truly unique and poetic lyrics. 

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Food and music memories are really punctuated by a few great experiences from this past year. The first would be the Huichica Festival at Gundlach Bundschu winery in Sonoma. Food from Craftsman and Wolves, Salumeria, Bunk Sandwiches, and way too much wine coupled with sets by Cass McCombs, Blitzen Trapper, and a super jam with Bob Weir. Extra points for the surreal experience of waiting in line for a port o potty with a former member of the Grateful Dead and the amazing summer weather that was a nice escape from the fog bank that is the city. The second would be a few days spent in NYC with the wifey that included some incredible meals (Gramercy Tavern, Franny’s Pizza), solid drinks (Dead Rabbit, Clover Club), not to mention the wonderful company of friends and family while getting to enjoy the final show of Knapsack’s reunion tour in Brooklyn. Lot’s of fun times, full bellies, and ringing ears.

SEAN MCBRIDE

Sean McBride has the rough job of traveling the country turning people on to Deschutes beer.

What was the food highlight of your year?

I’d have to say the food highlight for my 2013 was at Euclid Hall (Denver, CO) after the Great American Beer Festival. The team there puts together a wonderful beer list that can be paired with their menu and off menu items. One of our Chefs from Deschutes was there for a beer dinner and has a relaxing way to end the exhausting week we were treated to a first time experience. Bone marrow luges with apple brandy and a pigs head served on a platter. I’m never one to say no to new experience with food and it paid off once again. If you ever find yourself in Denver and hungry seek out the Euclid Hall and let their chefs take you on a journey.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Music highlight of the year is a bit harder. Most of the time I am busy at work and don’t get to enjoy the music but there is one festival I go to every year where my ears are opened up to the world of Americana and Folk. 30 minutes from the brewery in Sisters, OR is the Sisters Folk Fest. Every September this small town fills with fun loving fans and great music. Musicians from genres like Folk, Blues, Bluegrass, Americana, and even some wonderful singer songwriters get me to slow down and stop to hear the music. I am new to the music scene and this annual party really set me out to seek more music off the beaten path.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Music and Food really came together at Huichica. I have never drank so much wine, listened to so much good music, or eaten as many Bunk Sandwiches. Those two days had me meeting new people and enjoying another part of the country I don’t get to go to as much as I’d like. I hope I can make it down next year.

@deschutesbeer

TERRY GROVES

Terry Groves is co-producer of Pickathon and executive producer of the Huichica Festival.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Man, I really begin to sound so basic once thinking of how to describe memorable food moments for me. Typically, and where we are from (Northern Michigan)… the most exciting food event is the weekly Friday Night Fish Fry, wherein I usually just get the broasted chicken. Beyond that I am always blown away by our annual visit to Portland where I generally live off of Pine State Biscuits for breakfast, pork tacos for lunch, and typically pizza, thai, or sushi for dinner. Call me a creature of habit if you’d like. This routine traditionally ramps up the week of Pickathon when i get to branch out a little. I prefer food i can carry and eat without a dish, so once again, Pine State Biscuits (I’m a Reggie guy), Al Forno Ferruzza (Pizza), and this year our own food booth had amazing Corn Dogs and the famous life-sustaining Pickathon Power Cookies (thanks Jan & Gerard!). 

So what’s my highlight? Well, it came as a surprise from the kind folks at Boke Bowl: fried chicken and ramen - goddamn was that amazing.  As the story goes, It was the first day of Pickathon and I was at the front gate, getting pounded by guest list requests. Usually this is the most brutal 24 hours of my year as everyone (I really mean everyone) typically wants more guests than you’re willing to give them.  Food vendors are somehow always the worst. After about the 30th employee from Boke Bowl that came to the gate without passes, they finally brought me one of their amazing ramen bowls and a side of pickles. It changed my day (and attitude) and I’ll likely remember that moment for a long time.  

What was the music highlight of your year?

Shit, am I self-absorbed if I say that it happened at Pickathon?  So many great shows that weekend, it’s hard to come out with just one. So here are three: Feist singing from atop a piano at The Woods Stage (like a kitty), Parquet Courts out of their minds in The Galaxy Barn, and finally the ever-amazing Saturday Morning Cartoons kids show with the Cardboard Songsters. Their collaboration with Michael Hurley for “Oh My Stars” and the “Slurf Song” were both hilarious and heart-warming.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Yes. Day three of Pickathon: Watching Fred Armisen watch Parquet Courts while thoroughly enjoying one of our gluten-free corn dogs.  

@mrtgroves

ERIC D. JOHNSON

Eric is the founder of Fruit Bats and co-producer of the Huichica Music Festival in Sonoma.

What was the food highlight of your year?

When I was working on Nina Persson’s record this summer, my time in Sweden coincided with the holiday Midsommar, which is the longest day of the year and a time when folks get together to eat and drink and be outside and just sort of celebrate summertime and being Swedish. We spent it with Nina’s friends and family in the Swedish countryside. There was lots of pickled fish, sausage, aquavit, and beer. Tons of flavors I recognized but a bunch of dishes I’d never tried, and the vibe and setting was amazing. Ww walked our food off on a trip to the beach in the dusky 11:30 PM light. Also worth mentioning was that I finally got around to eating at the Woodsman Tavern in Portland. It has a lot of hype and deserves every single bit of it. Not a bad dish on the menu and the trout is the best thing I’ve had in some time.

What was the music highlight of your year?

This was a year of music highlights for me personally. Lots of beginnings and endings and milestones. My own Huichica Music Festival is always special, and this year there I got to share a stage with Bob Weir (thanks to Jonathan Wilson), which was pretty incredible. I collaborated with Yellowbirds on a tour, which was lovely. I got to do the complete Last Waltz again this year in Port Chester, NY with some of the best musicians on the planet. I worked on my first three records as a producer, which is sending me off on a pretty fun new path. But most important is that after 13 years I wrapped up my band Fruit Bats. It is super bittersweet but a really beautiful thing to be able to go out with an emotional, lovey-dovey, sold out show at the Aladdin Theater in Portland. It’s been a crazy year. My favorite show I saw was Ty Segall, Shabazz Palaces, and Jessica Pratt in the Woods at Pickathon. My Favorite album was Kurt Vile’s “Wakin’ On a Pretty Daze.”

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Well, it would be hard for me not to drop Huichica again as a prime example!

@fruitbatsmusic

TOMMY HABETZ

Tommy Habetz is co-owner of Bunk Sandwiches and Bunk Bar in Portland.

What was the food highlight of your year?

The food highlight for me was a dinner that Nick and I were lucky enough to be a part of a few weeks ago in Toronto. My friend, Scott Vivian, invited us up to take part in a Charlie’s Burger dinner with the Group of 7 Chefs and David Bazirgan from the 5th Floor in SF. We got to cook alongside some of Canada’s best chefs. It was a great dinner, so much fun. It really opened my eyes to the incredibly talented chefs living and working in the great white north. David Bazirgan did a great Walleye poached in horse fat. And Matty Matheson did a sort of a Horse Pot au Feu. Eating horse is pretty common in a lot of other countries, but still is a hot button topic in Portland, OR. I really don’t understand why it is socially acceptable to eat cows, ducks, deer, etc., but horse is a no-no. Or is it a nay-nay, maybe? Anyway, one animal’s life is just as important as another animal’s life - And, as a disclaimer, selling horse meat is still illegal in the US, including Oregon. It was a great meal, and incredibly eye opening and educational to boot. Unfortunately, Mayor Rob Ford and Drake weren’t there, but you can’t have everything. Thanks, Canada! 

What was the music highlight of your year?

I feel so lucky to say that this is a really tough question. There have been so many musical highlights this past year: Parquet Courts, Deafheaven, Angel Olson, Love Language…so many great shows at Bunk Bar. But the highlight, for me, was getting to go to Chicago to Riot Fest with my brother, Michael, to see The Replacements reunion, and then an after show from the one and only Rocket From the Crypt at The Double Door. They shook both doors off, goddamnit. So good. 

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Food and music came together for me at Huichica Festival at Gundlach-Bunschu Winery in Sonoma. Whether it was driving through the Redwoods blasting “I Am a Tree” by GBV, eating Poppycock. Or maybe somewhere right about here: Bob Weir! Muffalettas! God bless America!

@tommyhabetz

EMILY HOBSON

Emily Hobson has worked at several music technology companies and can occasionally be found spinning vinyl in her hometown of San Francisco.

What was the food highlight of your year? 

Bar Tartine’s Fermentation feast with Sandor Katz, author of Wild Fermentation and The Art of Fermentation. The Fish stew there continues to be one of the most comforting dishes in town. 

State Bird Provisions opened in January and has been a delight to visit all year long. The concept is perfect for sharing and they never fail to send out amazing food. 

Even after two years, Bar Agricole continues to produce amazing and food and drinks. Everything is super-fresh and thoughtful without being precious. 

The prevalence of purslane all summer long on nearly everything. 

Boot and Shoe Service’s great brunch. 

Turnip soup at Comstock Saloon‘s Friday (free) lunch. 

Portland Cocktail Week. It’s like to a music festival but totally focused on spirits and community.

What was the music highlight of your year? 

Bob Mould plays Sugar’s Copper Blue at Bottom of The Hill
Other Lives at Great American Music Hall
Sharon Van Etten/The War On Drugs at The Independent

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

It turns out combining food, music, and the outdoors can be a winning combination. Who knew? Most of my memorable combinations of food and music arrived in a variety of excellent outdoor settings.

Two shows at Mountain Winery: Blondie/Devo and Go-Go’s/Psychedelic Furs pre-show tailgating at Mountain Winery. A beautiful view followed by great music at a stunning venue. 

The Woodist Fest, Henry Miller Memorial LIbrary, Big Sur and the two day picnicking in the redwoods. 

A hillside picnic at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass for Nick Lowe.

The confluence of food, wine, and music and sun at The Huichica fest. Our host cracked open a bottle of 1969 Lanson Champagne for breakfast to kick it all off.

New Order at The Fox followed by snacks and cocktails at Flora.

JEFF BUNDSCHU

Jeff Bundschu is President of Gundlach Bundschu Winery a co-producer of Sonoma’s Huichica Music Festival.

What was the food highlight of your year? 

I’d have to say the Italian Night meal at the local Catholic School here in Sonoma.  Though I heard it was fun, my kids don’t go the school and I had never attended until this year. It is a fundraiser for the school put on by their Dad’s Club.  The red and white checkered table cloths were expected, as was the copious amounts of wine, and the generations of Italian-Sonoman families in attendance.  What blew me away though was the food! Homemade antipasto, Chicken Cacciatore, and Spaghetti Marinara.  Turns out that the three head chefs/dads (none of whom cook professionally) concoct the meal every year using old family recipes, and start cooking days beforehand.   Everything was so good, in a head-spinning way.  Deep rich flavors not from this world, or at least this hemisphere.

What was the music highlight of your year? 

Pond, an Australian hard rock band. The best live show I’ve seen in some time, though seriously self destructive lead singer.  Saw them at SxSW in March.  Like Led Zeppelin crossed with Deep Purple with a large dose of Gibby Haynes. Run don’t walk if/when they come to town.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Actually, I’ve been working on a project that combines wine and music and was blown away to see first hand that that what you are listening to really does impact what you taste.  Stay tuned for much more on that in 2013.

CHRISTOPHER APPELGREN

Chris Appelgren has run Lookout! Records, handled marketing for Noise Pop and The Bold Italic, and fronted countless bands including The Peechees and The Pattern.

What was the food highlight of your year? 

Arriving in London in April and being able to get an amazing Sunday lunch roast at the Harrison Pub, near King’s Cross. I continue experimenting in the hopes of perfecting my own English Sunday roast chicken but this, and a pint of lager, reminded me just how far I have to go.

What was the music highlight of your year?

It was the realization of a dream that’s been percolating for years - recording the debut single with a project band, Adult Babys, made up of far-flung friends, David Feck from Comet Gain, Dale Shaw from The Lies and Blood Sausage, and Brent Rademaker from Beachwood Sparks, Further, and The Tyde. Adult Babys has been one of those musical ideas that seemed doomed to be more idea than reality but now, we’ve hopefully tipped the scale in the right direction.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

As a matter fact yes. My wife Jessica and I were sitting down to dinner at Chez Panisse in celebration of our anniversary, and looked up to see Tom Waits walk through the dining room, having just finished dinner himself.

I think in general music and food seem more intimate as of late, at least here in SF. Events like Noise Pop’s Covers dinners with Graffeats, The Bay Bridged’s event The Bay Brewed, and the Huichica Festival are proving that music and food pair incredibly well together as an experience, which I am all for.