TOM MULLEN

Tom Mullen is Director of Digital Marketing at Sony Legacy and hosts the Washed Up Emo podcast and DJ night.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Living in NYC, I don't have the room or the time a lot to cook. I don't mind too much as I can eat with a swipe of an app or taking a different way home. That plays in part to my highlight. Xi'an Foods, a favorite restaurant in the city opened up a new location a block away from my apartment. Loved by all the food TV personalities with their photos near the front, it's a simple noodle place with a few vegetarian options. It's turning into one of the best deals and places to get something hot and fast in the neighborhood. As with anything in New York City. Location, location, location.

What was the music highlight of your year?

The music highlight of 2014 for me has to be the Mineral reunion. Sure many mention American Football and others, but nothing compared to Mineral for me personally. The band wasn't supposed to reform with Chris even denying it when I interviewed him for the podcast. I just never in my mind thought they would do it. Once I heard the rumor from a connection to the band, it started all of these emotions about how I never saw the band live and I was going to get that chance. It really was a dream come true. What made it sweeter was that I was in a position to help the band and help connect the band to their current fan base with advice to their team. I couldn't have been happier with how they are doing this reunion. It wasn't pretty at times and sometimes not with all the dots connected, but is it ever? This was four guys with families, lives and homes and they're taking a break and sacrificing a lot for the fans. They deserve this last swing which will most likely their last. Take it in and smile.

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

I hate to keep on the Mineral tip but I will. Prior to Mineral's first NYC show of the reunion at Saint Vitus in Brooklyn, a few folks were going to get some food around the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn before the show started. What happened was one of those meals where all anyone could do was talk about the upcoming show, memories, favorite bands, etc. Just non stop talk about music. I don't remember what I ate, what I drank or how I finished. It was one of those times where you felt full at the end both emotionally and physically.

@washedupemo

TIM MORTENSEN

Tim Mortensen plays in Into It. Over It. and co-founded SoundSupply.

What was the food highlight of your year?

For my birthday, my wife took me out to Stephanie Izard's The Girl & The Goat restaurant in the West Loop where we ate Pig Face, which I thought was just some clever name, but in reality is exactly that: a pig's face. It was amazing, just like everything else at that place.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Do I have to pick just one?! To say this year was unreal would be an understatement. I got to travel the world with some of my best friends playing over 100 shows. I got the privilege of playing multiple shows with two of my all-time favorite bands (Mineral and American Football). We got to play Lollapalooza this year. As I'm typing these things, they still feel like stuff I'm making up, but there's pictures on the internet to prove that all of this stuff is real!

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

Food is very important focal point when Into It. Over It. is on tour. It dictates a lot of our decisions and sometimes the main motivator when we're facing long overnight drives and it's great respite battling homesickness. One moment that sticks out was in September in New York. Typically, we rely on things like Yelp to find really good food when we're on the road, but we decided to try something different that we now call "Drake Eats," which basically is us finding out where Drake eats and then going there to eat. We got pizza from Drake's favorite pizza spot, Tony's, which was excellent, and then ate it on the floor of Webster Hall while watching American Football soundcheck. I don't think I could imagine a better combo of food and music.

@timmort

VINCENT CORRIGAN

Vincent Corrigan is a former member of Long Island bands Inside and Blood Red now working as Sous Chef at Kai cafe and restaurant in Galway, Ireland.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Growing heaps of tomatoes in my square foot garden without a greenhouse on the west coast of Ireland - my most successful year since moving here in 2004. Those along with all the pollock and mackerel for the bay made for such a great bbq.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Finding out Mineral was reunited and playing just a stones throw away in the UK.

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

Touring Italy. We were fed like kings at each venue, from squat to club. It was all brilliant and so different from any Italian food I had ever experienced.

@vincentcorrigan

CHRIS SIMPSON

Chris Simpson has fronted the bands Mineral, The Gloria Record, and Zookeeper.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Uchiko, an excellent sushi restaurant in Austin. It was my wife’s birthday dinner and my first time eating there.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Probably the Rodriguez documentary, Searching for Sugarman.

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

Food and music come together all the time in Austin as there are food trailers everywhere here, includng at many venues. Meso Hungry, located at Cheer Up Charlie’s is always a fave.