ZACH BROOKS

Zach Brooks co-hosts the Food Is The New Rock podcast and founded Midtown Lunch.

What was the food highlight of your year?

I’m going to have to go with the 8 person meal I had at Chi Spacca, here in Los Angeles (not by myself obviously, but with 7 other people.)  We took over the counter and had enough people to tackle a good portion of the menu - including the $175 bisteca fiorentina and the insanely rich and delicious bone marrow pie.  Also, their charcuterie is hands down the best in the city.    

Update: Ate at State Bird Provisions last night, and it wasn’t even close. Best meal of 2013.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Matt & Kim at Outside Lands and Haim at Life is Beautiful.  Both surprised me in the best way possible.  

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

This is an easy one. We had Chef Jamie Bissonnette from Toro (NYC & Boston) on the podcast this year when he was in L.A. doing a pop up dinner with Viet Pham and Ricardo Zarate, and during the interview he mentioned how much of a huge Fitz & the Tantrums fan he was. Coincidentally enough we were talking to Noelle from Fitz about coming on the podcast that same week, so we surprised Jamie by bringing her to his pop up dinner.  The food was amazing (naturally) and we created a life long friendship. 

@foodisnewrock

TAMER RIAD

Tamer Riad is Sous Chef at Boke Bowl in Portland, OR.

What was the food highlight of your year?

I went down to Mexico for a friend’s wedding this past year and was completely blown away by how different the food was from what I expected it to be.  It wasn’t the Mexican food I’m used to, but rather a very ancient version of it!  It was great, clean, and very vegetarian which I thought was awesome.  I was definitely pleasantly surprised and stoked about trying something I didn’t expect.  

What was the music highlight of your year?

I’ve been listening to quite a bit of pop/r&b this year.  I’m not talking underground indie stuff that no one’s heard of.. but literally the pop hits radio stations - the cheesy shit!  It’s really grown on me. I blame my girlfriend for this new found disaster.  However as much as everyone rips on it, it seems that everyone knows the words whenever I put it on.  

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

My friends Lizzy and Cam are in a band called Radiation City here in Portland. They had a pretty big year and totally blew up.  It was cool to know them before and after the band success and I still get excited for them when I hear them out and about.  I remember on my birthday dinner last year I went to Roe - great, great, great meal - and while we were having dinner, we heard a lot of Radiohead, Smiths, Sigor Ros, Bon Iver, and then Radiation City came on and I can’t say it could have gotten any better.  It was as if someone handed them a mix of favorite tunes.  

@tamertime83

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

MEGHANN WRIGHT

Meghan Wright is a singer/songwriter and co-owns Haute Mess Catering.

What was the food highlight of your year?

My partner in crime Brian Diaz beat me to naming my favorite steak spot, St. Anselm, for this one but we have fortunately experienced an array of culinary delights this year. One spectacular meal we had a Hakkasan in Midtown comes to mind. A group of us took my sister Tara for her birthday. There was a vegetarian in the mix, but we still managed to fit in pork belly stir fry, macadamia rock shrimp and an assortment of dim sum that was almost too pretty to eat. The dishes were festive and gorgeous while maintaining the simplicity of fresh Asian cuisine that, being from Hawaii, my family often misses living in New York.

What was the music highlight of your year?

The music highlight of my year was organizing and executing a showcase series to raise money for an organization I founded called The City & The Heart. Over the course of 7 months, we put on 14 shows in the Lower East Side at the Parkside Lounge to fundraise a record release featuring unsigned female singer/songwriters in New York. It started out as a fun DIY punk rock-mentality project, I come from a time when labels like Asian Man and Polyvinyl would release free compilation CDs to fans. It attracted me because I was meeting a lot of young indie artists like myself who could benefit from connections, advice and just having a support system of other women going through the same struggle, trying to make their dreams come true. We hope to release the record Spring 2014.

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

Being that I am a musician and part-time chef, music and food are almost always coming together in memorable ways. To me, music and food are similar in that someone makes it for you, you experience it in that moment, and then it’s gone. One could argue that there is recorded music and if you have a recipe, you can make it any time you want. I prefer to view these experiences as unique and fleeting, it makes them more special. There are so many variables when it comes to creation and performance, I can almost guarantee you will never experience the same steak or guitar solo twice.

That being said, I’d like to take a moment to celebrate my three favorite rock bars in Brooklyn that offer food. The type of food rock bars serve is important to their identity and standing out from other rock bars. Saint Vitus was my first favorite, having opened about three years ago in Greenpoint. They book bands I like and play a lot of heavy music when bands aren’t playing. They serve beer and whiskey. What’s not to like? Then they hired Elena Balletta to curate her take on tasty Korean bun menu for those suffering from hangovers and bangovers. They offer a variety including a Philly Cheesesteak version and vegetarian options. The buns are easy to make and don’t require a large kitchen area. Having the station right next to the bar is a cool touch. The Acheron in Williamsburg is connected to The Anchored Inn, a haven for misfits and rockers who like gourmet burgers and fancy beer. Separating the food from the venue makes for a slightly more comfortable dining experience without missing out on the party. When you’re done banging your head to the latest local black metal darlings, you can cross through the adjoining doorway into a cozy wooden pub decorated with an impressive collection of black velvet paintings. And eat a bacon wrapped hot dog. Over the Eight is relatively new, opened by a few of the Saint Vitus crew to be a neighborhood pub right at the border of Greenpoint and Williamsburg. The music they procure is a little mellower, typically Americana, blues, and the like, and their food is Venezuelan. Chefs Sergio Barrios and Ernesto Bardo of Santa Salsa have graced the joint with their reinterpretation of food from “perrero” carts, a street food in Venezuela. There are other rock bars with food that I truly enjoy, including a new one in Bushwick that recently opened called Beast of Bourbon. Picture Fette Seu with more rock references and about 20 more draft beers. I look forward to their incorporating live music once they are more established. In summation, rock and food go hand in hand, the more interesting and fun the food, the better!

@meghannbwright

GREG JACOBS

Greg Jacobs has managed Rocket From The Crypt, Drive Like Jehu, Big Drill Car, and Supernova; worked at SST, Cruz, and Cargo Records; and photographed musicians for print, the Death or Glory web series, and an upcoming TV show. Photo by: Rinzi Ruiz

What was the food highlight of your year?

I was on my annual baseball spring training trip with some friends in Scottsdale, AZ. We had just left a day game, we were hot, drunk, and hungry.  I saw Grimaldi’s and dragged our crew of 8 there hoping to find it as good as I remembered it in NYC, knowing full well that I would be subjected to serious hazing for the rest of the trip if my suggestion failed. We ordered salads, wood-fired pizzas, beer, wine - all fantastic, all friends satisfied, and I plan to return in 2014 spring training trip.

What was the music highlight of your year?

This is tough. This year I was lucky enough to attend and photograph 2 secret shows by bands that were way too big to play the venues I saw them in: First was Rocket From The Crypt on Easter night at Bar Pink in San Diego (150 people I’d guess), next was Foo Fighters at a pizza parlor in Moorpark, CA (guessing there were around 100 people there). But I honestly think my musical highlight of 2013 was at a festival, and I hate festivals. It was a weather-shortened, 15 minute set by FLAG! I saw them at Riot Fest in Denver. They were absolutely insane! Powerful, energetic, tight, and ferocious! The wind started blowing so hard during their set that it tore the giant banners off of the PA stacks. Then the rain started. It was raining huge Colorado rain drops (I swear the rain drops are smaller in Southern California). FLAG was about 15 minutes into their set when a voice came over the loudspeaker advising everyone that the National Weather Service have issued a storm warning and to “shelter in your car until further notice.” The festival continued after a weather delay, but FLAG was done for the day. They played for 15 minutes and it was the best show I’ve seen all year. I can’t wait to see them again (maybe Ron Reyes will join them on stage now that he’s been booted from Black Flag That would be awesome).

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

When I first read this question, I went totally blank and had no idea what I would say. Now I have a few ideas. The first is not 2013-specific, but it’s MY LIFE. Before I was married, I used to think that the perfect girl for me would be a “Casbah/Keva” girl, meaning, I wanted to find a girl who would go to a dirty rock show at The Casbah with me on a Saturday night and then feel equally comfortable at brunch with my parents on Sunday (Keva Grill was a place in La Jolla for brunch). I found her!

The 2013 collision was after the Rocket From The Crypt, show with my wife and our friends Josh and Mona, standing outside of Bar Pink after the show we made a plan and left for Roberto’s #10 on El Cajon Blvd. We ordered at the window, sat outside on the circular cement table, ate burritos, rolled tacos, nachos, drank Cokes from the can, and just talked. It was just like the old days and it felt great.

www.ribshots43.com

ERIK BRUNER-YANG

Erik Bruner-Yang is chef/owner of Toki Underground and Maketto in Washington D.C.

What was the Food Highlight of Your Year?

2013 was the first year I participated in Capital Food Fight, which is DC Central Kitchen’s largest yearly fundraiser. It was the first time I have ever done any type of competitive food competition and it was just an amazing experience. The food fight was the first time I have been on stage since I stopped playing in bands back in 2009. It brought back all the nerves and excitement that I haven’t felt in a long time.

But the best part wasn’t actually the battle but it was getting to meet the students and the mentors involved with the program. DC Central Kitchen really just does some amazing things and that was really inspiring. 

What was the music highlight of your year (and why)?

Hands down the Dismemberment Plan reunion. My favorite band of all time. The first mix tape I ever got had only two bands on it. Side A was Ice of Boston EP and half of “!”. Side B was the Pharcyde. 

To me, The Dismemberment Plan is easily one of the most important indie bands of all time and a band at their age should keep on keeping on.

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

I love making playlists for the restaurant. I would say 75% of the atmosphere at Toki is the music. But the best way music and food comes together for me every year is when we participate as a food component for Sweetlife Festival hosted by Sweetgreen. Since I don’t go to shows as much as I used to, I really seize the opportunity at this festival to get a year’s worth of music knowledge. I discovered Twin Shadows at Sweetlife 2012 and Haim there in 2013. 

This year Toki Underground/Maketto went ham at Sweetlife festival. We collabed with Chef Spike Gjerde and his whole Woodberry Kitchen crew and just did the craziest street dishes. We had a ramen shop, an izakaya, a shaved ice shop, and that was only half of the setup. 

tokiunderground

ALEX BACA

Alex Baca in a journalist and bicycle activist living in Washington, D.C.

What was the food highlight of your year?

I finally ate at Blackbird. A friend and I were in Chicago in 2011 for the Promise Ring reunion show and wanted to try it, but our only free day was Sunday, and it was closed then. I was back in Chicago in April 2013 for a conference, and after realizing I’d never even get a bar seat at Girl and the Goat, I posted up at Blackbird. I had a horrendous cold and my taste buds were only operating at about 40 percent, but it was a phenomenal meal. I recall there being quite a bit of fennel.

What was the music highlight of your year?

The World is a Beautiful Place and I Am No Longer Afraid to Die’s Whenever, If Ever has been pretty important to me. I listened to it endlessly when it came out in June. I love the way it sounds and, as a whole, it matches up well with the experiences I’ve had in 2013; “Gig Life” in particular really destroys me. While in Long Island with my boyfriend, he put Whenever, If Ever on in the car and, for the duration of it, I felt very young and very old. A few weeks later, I saw the band at D.C.’s Rock and Roll Hotel, which seems like an appropriate full circle.

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

On the first of the two Black Cat anniversary shows in September, Matt Cohen and I drank two bombers of pumpkin beer before ambling over. Neither of us ate dinner. At some point between Ted Leo’s super-high-powered “Me and Mia” and the beginning of a David Yow-ified Boys Against Girls, we looked at each other and said—or maybe brainwave-communicated, I’m not sure—”vegan lasagna.” I’ve drunkenly housed no small amount of Food for Thought’s vegan lasagna over the years, but this evening was a particular intersection of booze, Marlboro Reds, fake cheese, and D.C. punk. (A friend earnestly exclaimed, “There are, like, eight generations of scenesters here!”) Gray Matter played for an hour, but it felt like twenty minutes. 

alexbaca

MAX STERN

Max Stern fronts the bands Signals Midwest and Meridian.

What was the food highlight of your year?

I spent a month in Israel in January and what amazed me the most there was how good all the produce is. Dates, bananas, cucumbers, carrots, radishes - everything tasted completely different and fresh and sweet. There were no chemicals or preservatives or anything. I got to go to a strawberry and carrot farm near the Gaza Strip and just pick things out of the ground, clean them off and eat them. Completely different than buying produce at a grocery store here in the States.

The lowlight was probably a cheese calzone that our guitar player Jeff and I ordered at 2 AM in Hoboken, NJ in May. That thing was the saddest excuse for a calzone I’d ever seen. It looked like it had been run over by a truck and then someone had tried to cover it in parmesan cheese to distract from the disfigured blob it had become. Somehow, we still ate the whole thing. Tour diet. No rules. No regrets.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Our set at Fest 12 this year was wild. We had just released a new record a few days beforehand and were worried about playing new songs, but they were received just as well as the old ones, which was very validating. The entire set was just a total mess of crowd surfers and stage divers and people stealing my microphone. It was exactly what I had hoped it’d be. 

I also got to spend a week on the road with The Smith Street Band from Australia while they were out with Frank Turner in October. Their band is incredible and they were the nicest and most accommodating group of people. Definitely developed a few too many inside jokes and a bunch of really great friendships.

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

We went to Montreal on tour this summer. We’d never played in another country before and Montreal was great because it felt so European and foreign. We had an incredible, packed basement show and were all just ecstatic and buzzing the entire night. We’d been hearing about poutine ever since we booked the Montreal show, so the next day we had a day off and went on a search for the best example we could find. We found a great little spot in a cool neighborhood but right as we all got our orders, the skies opened up. There was no sitting or standing room left, so what I’m left with now is a very fond memory of the four of us huddled under an awning in a doorway in Montreal stuffing ourselves with french fries and cheese curds and peppers and various spiced meats.

@signalsmidwest

MIKE FADEM

Mike Fadem is a drummer (Kevin Devine, Youngman Grand, The Jealous Girlfriends) and 10-year veteran of the NY food industry. He currently works at the Marlow & Sons group.

What was the food highlight of your year?

I went to Paris in October to visit my longtime bandmate who recently moved there. We ate amazingly well while I was there, which in its entirety was the highlight of my year. But the highlight of the trip was the dinner we had at Bones in the 11th. The space is serious yet comfortable, and feels very alive and vibrant. The food is pure, balanced, warm, beautiful.  The wine list and house-made bread take it over the edge. It’s a perfect restaurant. 

What was the music highlight of your year?

I think the comeback of Nine Inch Nails is pretty amazing. The new album is probably one of their bests and they put on the best live show. Trent Reznor is untouchable right now. I also love Kanye’s Bound 2, and the new record I made with Kevin Devine, Bubblegum. 

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

Spiritualized came in to Marlow & Sons for food and coffee. In Brooklyn you see a lot of musicians but having Jason walk in was surprising and awesome. Getting to serve your heroes is usually great, and he and his band were really nice.

@mikefadem

JONAH BAYER

Jonah Bayer is a music journalist who’s served as music editor of Alternative Press and head writer of Stephen’s Untitled Rock Show (MTV). He is co-host of the Going Off Track podcast and co-creator of the Sound Advice web series.

What was the food highlight of your year?

This is a tough one for me since I mainly subsist on take-out within a two-block radius of my apartment, but earlier this year I ventured to Asia and had some amazing meals in South Korea. I got extremely lucky by making some friends who lived there on my connecting flight from Taiwan and they helped me have some super authentic dining experiences that ranged from Korean BBQ joints to nondescript food stalls on the street. From my experiences you can’t go wrong with anything that’s served on a stick. Plus you don’t have to deal with utensils, which is a huge bonus for me. 

What was the music highlight of your year?

Seeing Saves The Day play a super late secret show at Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn was pretty incredible. I wrote my first cover story on them for Alternative Press over a decade ago so it was pretty surreal to be able to hear them play a lot of that material again live in a small club setting. They performed Through Being Cool in its entirety and Chris even dedicated my favorite song “Banned From The Back Porch” to me since it was my birthday. I still kind of can’t believe this happened but I’ve seen a bunch of photos from that night so I’m pretty sure it did. 

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

A few months ago my band United Nations played Fest in Gainesville and had some amazing meals at a place called The Jones, which served a ton of delicious local food. Better yet since so many bands were in town for the festival, every time we went we’d run into someone that we knew and hadn’t seen in a while. I remember one meal in particular where I had some amazing biscuits alongside the guys from Paint It Black and Octaves. Oh also some band called Knapsack played at one point, you should check them out. I think they’re pretty new. 

@mynameisjonah

HOLLY MUÑOZ

Holly Muñoz, formerly of the band Aviette, is recording her debut solo album with John Vanderslice.

What was the food highlight of your year?

My 2013 food highlight was a two-way tie (I know, I know.) between a meal including sweet potato casserole, greens, roast beef, cornbread and butter, fried catfish, hush puppies, mac and cheese, green beans, hot pepper chocolate pie, and more cornbread and butter at Arnold’s Country Kitchen in Nashville and two memorable chef’s choice dinners at Ichi Sushi in San Francisco. I guess that’s technically three. But these meals were AMAZING. Why? Because Arnold (who I didn’t meet, but I’m sure is a badass) and Tim and Erin (who I know well, and are, badass) from Ichi use food as a delivery vehicle for endless, boundless, ceaseless love.

What was the music highlight of your year?

I recently relocated from Minneapolis, MN to the Bay Area to work with the San Francisco Symphony. Much to my surprise, it’s difficult to move from a city where you’ve lived for 15 years and know lots and lots of people to somewhere you’ve lived for zero years and know like, four people. So this summer things are pretty down, like down to the point of embracing chaos theory. And one morning I wake up and remember that I have to work the Bobby McFerrin concert. And I’m like, “Seriously, universe? Another 14-hour day that will not involve getting lost in my couch with Season 1 of Grey’s Anatomy? And it’s the Don’t Worry Be Happy guy? Classic.

But then I go. And I’m listening to this man who is a MUSICAL GENIUS. Like, HOW DID I NOT KNOW THAT BOBBY MCFERRIN IS A MUSICAL GENIUS?! And he’s exuberant and warm and singing about Jesus. And his band is exquisite. And pretty much everyone at Davies is floored. I can seriously say that in that moment Bobby restored my faith in humanity. FOREVER.

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

Last weekend I played a living room concert in New York City to promote a new record I’m making with John Vanderslice. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it ended up turning into one of those all night amazing people/beautiful potluck deals with a couple kale salads, veggie tacos, homemade Vietnamese spring rolls, flourless chocolate cake (four ingredients: coconut oil, cacao, vanilla, and maple syrup), a selection of some of Bedford Cheese Shop's stinkiest/finest, popcorn, more chocolate, and traditional Kashmiri lentils and meatballs compliments of the visiting mother of the guy who lives on the 6th floor and, it turns out, is a killer musician in a band called, Zerobridge.

@iamonteamholly

MICHAEL SLABOCH

Michael’s resume touches on nearly every aspect of the music industry from live event (Pitchfork, Wilco’s Solid Sound festival), to label (Numero Group), to studio/film/TV (producer, mixer, mastering engineer), to educator (Columbia College Chicago), and judge (The Grammy Foundation).

What was the food highlight of your year?

I’m very lucky that I got to travel to many of my favorite American cities this year — San Francisco, LA, NYC, New Orleans (twice!), Portland, Austin — and had some pretty tremendous meals in each city.

I’d have to say that on the more humble Mom and Pop side of restaurants, going to eat BBQ at The Original Dreamland in Tuscaloosa, Alabama was pretty remarkable.  They only serve a few items: slabs of ribs with a fantastic BBQ sauce that has a ton of depth, a smoked half-sausage, potato salad, baked beans, and nilla wafer banana pudding.  Needless to say we got everything and it was all really delicious.  They smoke everything with hickory wood right on the side of the bar in this tiny little kitchen and it smells amazing in there.  I’d be a regular if I lived with a couple of hours of that place. 

On the more elaborate side of meals that really stand out, lunch at Torrisi Italian Specialities lived up to all the hype.  Seven perfect courses, impeccable service, a memorable Pinot Blanc from Lieb Cellars, and easily the best fresh mozzarella I’ve ever had in my life. 

What was the music highlight of your year?

Getting to stand 15 feet away from Prince and a 22-piece NPG band was easily the musical highlight of the year.  I’ll forever be thanking George Lucas for having Prince & NPG as his wedding band here in Chicago this summer, which resulted in this crazy after-party Prince threw at City Winery from 2am-4am.  

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

I got to go down to New Orleans for the Ponderosa Stomp this October which is an amazing festival that features old soul, garage, and rockabilly musicians from the 50s - 70s.  As excited as I was to see the Stomp, I was more excited to eat at the new Donald Link restaurant, Pȇche.  I’m a huge fan of his other restaurants and had some pretty high expectations walking into Pȇche, all of which were exceeded.  I went with some friends so we ordered a ton of dishes, but the whole grilled fish for the table with an herb sauce was the highlight of the meal.  

@mslaboch

CHARLES HODGKINS

Charles Hodgkins has written about music for over fifteen years and began Burritoeater in 2003. He recently reviewed is 1000th and final burrito, pictured above. Photo by Jonathan Lifeson Smith.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Without question, my bow-out burrito at La Espiga de Oro on December 7 (conveniently, also my birthday). I was at about 980 burrito reviews when I announced my Autumn 2013 farewell tour spanning a handful of San Francisco taquerias, with the clear intention of calling it a day with Burritoeater once I reached 1000 reviews. #1000 was a true epic: 9.25 mustaches of carne asada-laden, spice-fueled, avocado-driven radness, made all the more memorable by the surrounding presence of several amigos — one of whom turned the whole silly spectacle into a featured piece on KALW radio. Perhaps I’m a kook for making such a hullaballoo out of putting my burrito review site out to pasture, but to review a thousand burritos and not actively seek out validation from my adoring public seems like a foolishly missed opportunity to cement my status as a local folk hero (or a lunkheaded stooge, whichever).

What was the music highlight of your year?

Among my top discoveries this year, I’ve been wearing out William Tyler’s instrumental folk masterpiece Impossible Truth since first hearing it several months back, and I’ve been listening to a hell of a lot of No Joy, whose two LPs shoot the new My Bloody Valentine record right out of the sky as far as I’m concerned. And the random act of dialing up Bringing It All Back Home while walking through Parque del Retiro in Madrid one day in May sent me on a summer-long Dylan binge that even helped eventually make sense of Self Portrait for me. But topping the heap was the opportunity to catch five performances by singer/songwriter/guitarist/rad dude Will Johnson: two solo living room shows in the Bay Area, one Overseas show at Bottom of the Hill, and most special of all, two hellacious Centro-matic shows in the band’s home country of Texas.

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

The time toward the end of the year when my friend Colby asked me to write about food and music at the same time. I yammered on way too long about both, albeit individually.

burritoeater

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

SEAN TIMBERLAKE

Sean Timberlake is the founder of Punk Domestics.

What was the food highlight of your year?

There were many things that stick with me: Revelatory kombucha (which I previously hated) at Kookoolan Farms in the Willamette Valley in Oregon; hauntingly delicious parsnip cake from Fable in the Castro; super-umami zosui at Nabe in the Sunset; mind-bending fermented tofu that was reminiscent of bleu cheese at ICHI Sushi; eating worms, grasshoppers and ant eggs in Guadalajara. But two of my favorite meals were in our own home, honoring two food legends who left us this year. In October we commemorated Marcella Hazan with an Italian dinner featuring lasagne with bolognese from her recipe. Then just over a week ago we made Zuni roast chicken and caesar salad to pay respect to Judy Rodgers. Our friend made the gateau victoire, the recipe for which she long ago wrested from the staff at Zuni. (It’s not in the cookbook.)

What was the music highlight of your year?

Two things: We went to see Caravan Palace perform at Bimbo’s 365 in July. I’ve enjoyed their music just generally, but they brought incredible energy to the stage. Infectious and imminently danceable. On the opposite side of the coin, we attended the funeral services for Jose Sarria, a.k.a., the Widow Norton, at Grace Cathedral. It was a moving affair, full of the most illustrious and illustrated folks San Francisco has to offer. At the end, though, for the retiring procession, the organist played Jean Langlais’ “Incantation pour in Jour Saint,” which is the most apocalyptic piece I’ve ever heard in my life. Deeply discordant, it shakes your body to the core. 

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

We went to Juhu Beach Club, Preeti Mistry’s restaurant in Temescal, Oakland, shortly before it opened to the public. As we entered and sat, “I Will Survive” was playing. Preeti came over to our table and said that she had told the hostess to quickly put on the gayest music possible to make us more comfortable. 

@punkdomestics

JUSTIN SCURTI

Justin Scurti is a bar owner (Saint Vitus, Brooklyn), tour manager (Spritiualized, Texas Is The Reason), guitarist (I Hate Our Freedom), and rock photographer.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Touring all year made this tough but I’d have to say Mission Chinese Food in San Fransisco.  Scott Winegard and I ordered every vegan dish on the menu and it was only lunch time. It’s also a tie with having the tasting menu paired with wine at Chateaubriand in Paris when Scott, John Hiltz, and I took a road trip from Groezrock Festival in Belgium to Paris just to eat and drink.  

They had a dessert made with an egg yolk poached in simple syrup on top of malt cookies. But then there’s also every time i get home from tour and my girlfriend Elena makes me the best brunches and dinners.  She’s a chef so i pretty much eat amazing every day of the year!

What was the music highlight of your year?

I think seeing one of Rocket From The Crypt’s first shows back from the dead in Europe. They played a secret show at a community center in a little town about an hour away from Brussels. Then getting to see them the very next day at Groezrock along with Turbonegro and Texas Is The Reason.  There was also the very last Texas Is The Reason show at the Electric Ballroom in London.  After a year of touring it was pretty spectacular to see them do it all one last time in front of 1200 people who were just as grateful as i was to see it for the last time ever.

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

Food and Music are always together for me.  The last year of touring with Texas Is The Reason we were very fortunate to be in some great places with some of the best restaurants. When we were in Chicago back in January, Graham Elliot invited us all out to Graham Elliot Bistro for a dinner at the chef’s table.  Instead of us ordering off the menu, he said he was gonna just send out food till we said we were full.  We never said we were full.  I think we had close to 20 courses!!!  Every cocktail on the list and lots of wine all finished with a full bottle of Fernet brought right to the table.  Graham is a huge 90’s indie/emo music fan and loves giving back to the bands he’s listened to over the years.  

@squish108

CARLOS FORSTER

Carlos Forster’s latest album was produced by M. Ward and features a guest appearance by Jonathan Richman.

What was the food highlight of your year?

I would have to say my favorite food experiences involve finding good cheap restaurants in the Excelsior District of San Francisco. My wife, two kids, and i moved here about 5 years ago and still find these little gems like Hilda’s Mart and Bake Shop were you can get amazing hopia for dirt cheap. It reminds me of the Mission before it got Google-fied. 

What was the food highlight of your year?

I work quite bit as a therapist now, so I don’t get out as much anymore. But I did see John Murry play a mind blowing set at the Make Out Room. Marty whom owns the Make Out has been great supporter of interesting stuff over the years and deserves credit for that. Nice guy to…. John and Marty!

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

My friend Brian Belknap does a monthly show at a place in the Mission called The Lost Church. The music is great but my favorite part is Brian makes these insanely tasty pot pies. There is also this red velvet couch that I sit on during the show and the combo (food, music, and couch) is quite perfect. 

JEFF TAKACS

Jeff Takacs runs and hosts the punk podcast Rocket Fuel. 

What was the food highlight of your year?

For me, the best part of this year for food has been stepping out and trying local restaurants that I haven’t been to in my own backyard of Tallahassee.  Believe it or not, Tallahassee is actually a pretty great food town and we have a lot of options of locally owned and run places to eat.  So this year, I wanted to go to more of them and see what they had to offer.  My favorite is Voodoo Dog, which has amazing hot dogs (duh) as well as hamburgers, fries, etc.  I absolutely love their Jefferson dog, which is a bacon-wrapped dog topped with mac-n-cheese.  My arteries hate me, but it sure is delicious.  Another great thing about the place is their décor.  It’s totally kitsch with awesome items from the 80s and 90s.  How can you not love a place with framed portraits of each of the Golden Girls?  

What was the music highlight of your year?

Getting to see a reunited Rocket From The Crypt in a 400-person club in Chicago.  I only got to see them once before they called it quits in 2005, so getting to see them again was not only unexpected, but really special.  The venue was packed with die-hard fans who were singing along with every word.  The band ripped through their set with the energy and their patented big sound as I had remembered them doing when I saw them some 17 years ago.  Reunion shows are always a gamble, but it was one that I was definitely willing to take and was ecstatic with the show.  It was icing on the cake for me when a month later, I got the chance to interview Speedo (John Reis) on Rocket Fuel when he was in Florida for Fest 12 with one of his other bands, The Night Marchers.  

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

Every year, food and music come together in an amazing way for me when I travel down to Gainesville for The Fest.  Not only do I get to see a ton of my favorite bands and friends from across the globe, but the restaurants in downtown Gainesville make it an even more memorable experience.  Whether it’s the authentic Cuban food at Flaco’s, to the amazing island flavors of Reggae Shack to the outstand gator burritos at Boca Fiesta, the food choices at Fest are always the perfect complement to a weekend filled with the best punk rock and PBR.

@rocket_fuel