MATT COHEN

Matt Cohen is a Journalist, Associate Editor at DCist, and plays bass for the band Collapser.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Literally buying $80 worth of Trader Joe's snacks to drive across the country with a friend. We ate at a lot of great restaurants during the trip (Laramie, Wyoming's only vegetarian restaurant, other places), but Trader Joe's snacks are tops.

What was the music highlight of your year?

I was fortunate to participate in a thing called Call + Response this year. It's a semi-annual art show in D.C. that pairs writers with artists, with the artists creating something inspired by a piece of writing by the writer they've been paired with. This year, the organizers mixed things up a bit by introducing a musical element. Philadelphia's Restorations, one of my favorite bands, wrote and recorded a 12-minute instrumental track for the show, which was given to us writers as inspiration. The short story I wrote was probably garbage (haven't had the courage reread it since I submitted it), but to be involved in the project was incredibly cool. At the opening, Restorations performed the track live. The song and all the stories were published and package as part of a limited 7-inch. It was a huge honor to be invited to participate in such a unique project.

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

This summer, some friends and I organized a DIY music and arts festival in D.C. called In It Together Fest. I can go on and on about what a raging success it was and how proud I am to have been involved, but I'll just sum it up with one spectacular moment: we concluded the festival at a skate park underneath a bridge in D.C. We partnered with Food Not Bombs to sell some grub to raise money for charity, had a skate demo, and live music. But the main event featured a buddy of mine jumping over 50 gallons of homemade ramen in a bathtub on his dirt bike, while another buddy shredded the National Anthem on guitar. 'Merica.

@matt_d_cohen

CARLIN BROWN

Carlin Brown plays drums in Restorations and has cooked at Philadelphia’s Industry Bar, Good Dog Bar, Royal Tavern, Monk’s Cafe, and Memphis Taproom.

What was the music highlight of your year?

2013 was a busy and exciting year for just about everyone I know in music, in food, in anything really. The most memorable time in music is a no brainer. That would be Fest 12 in Gainesville, Fl. I was lucky enough to snag a job as tech for all the backlined SJC drum kits, so I was extremely busy running around the various venues. Even so, most of my band and some of my closest friends in music all piled in the Gainesville Theatre for the long haul on Saturday to see a marathon of completely different bands: Plow United, Paint it Black, Night Marchers, Braid, BoySetsFire, Dillinger Four, and more. I was also lucky enough to catch some of Ceremony, Torche, Bouncing Souls, Menzingers, Sundowner, and finally got to see Cayetana live. Every year seems to be a pretty consistent incline of fun.

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

Food and music came together in September. Philly friends and their dogs converged upon and took over the huge warehouse where my band practices for what was deemed “Smoked Meats Day.” Musicians and people who write and/or obsess about music all participated in smoking any and every kind of smokable food imaginable. We hooked up a PA for music listening, tapped the keg, and got the smoker going around 8:00 AM. There were so many exciting things to eat. We smoked chicken, wings, pork shoulder, seitan, almonds, chick peas, various veggies and hot peppers. There was a deep fryer so we we roasted, smoked, and deep fried coconut to make vegan bacon. And of course there was the vegan wing off. There were also regular grills for obligatory burgers and hot dogs. The highlight of the day was a whole beef brisket that smoked for fourteen plus hours only to have it still be perfectly rare in the middle. It was a marathon day of talking about life, music, and food, all while listening to music and eating food. It ran all morning, noon, and late into the night. I can’t wait for next year!

restorations

JORDAN LUFF

Jordan Luff plays bass in the band Old Flings

What was the food highlight of your year?

I have to include two highlights: the first is my hometown Asheville, NC’s only vegan restaurant, Plant. It’s a little out of my price range for an everyday dinner, so I keep it in my back pocket for special occasions. The hazelnut crusted seitan is quite possibly the most decadent food I’ve put in my mouth since becoming vegan. Served with whipped cauliflower, grilled broccolina and romesco, pickled onions, and shiitake bacon. Absolutely breath-taking dinner.

Second, Farmburger, another Asheville favorite. They serve a vegan burger made up of sea island red pea, Smiling Hara smoked tempeh (local brand), and black eyed peas, topped with clover sprouts, red cabbage, and a basil tofu spread on the bun. It’s like it melts in my damn mouth.

What was the music highlight of your year?

My band Old Flings got to play a lot of regional and national festivals this year, including Fest 12 in Gainesville, FL. I got to see some of my all-time favorite bands play, including Torche, Iron Chic, Knapsack, Hop Along, and Restorations. But the best band I saw this year was probably Superchunk in Asheville at the Grey Eagle Music Hall on August 23rd. Watching them was about as close to a religious experience as seeing Coalesce back in 2009 at FEST 8. It’s been a great year for music!

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

Any time Old Flings gets to hit the road, be it for a weekend, a tour, or a festival trip, I try to incorporate food into my adventure. While down at Fest, we had the opportunity to dine at Harvest Thyme, a vegan-friendly sandwich and smoothie joint, and Reggae Shack, one of the best Jamaican-style restaurants I’ve ever had. And I can’t forget Richmond, VA. We only played there once in 2013 (which sucks), but we hit up Ipanema Cafe, Panda Veg, Strange Matter, and Harrison Street Coffee Shop. Richmond has great, great food.

@oldflings