Along with the coffee, one of the main reasons I will frequent a certain coffee house is because they play great music. I've discovered some great artists and records sitting in good coffee shops. I've also had nostalgic flashbacks and reawakenings.
I remember hearing the instrumental music of Friends Of Dean Martinez for the first time at my old Minneapolis hangout Moose And Sadie's. That listening experience inspired me to explore a whole new area of composition in my own music. Moose was a place where I could sit and write while the music of indie artists, jazz, blues or classical might be played. Always something to encourage the creative mind's activity. The playlist could range from Galaxy 500 and The Replacements to Natalie Merchant singing folk to an exploration of Miles Davis and John Coltrane.
After landing in Nashville I first found myself at Fido where a wonderfully quirky playlist could range from local rockers to classic hipster songwriters like Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen to country or just about anything...and somehow it just about always works.
For awhile I got my early education in the local Americana scene at Portland Brew where a certain barista regularly played the likes of Nashville alt country queens like Those Darlin's, Caitlyn Rose, Courtney Tidwell and classics like Loretta Lynn alongside some Jack White, Paul Burch, Waco Brothers and Lambchop. That's what a local coffee shop music experience is all about.
Today Bongo Java in Nashville is feeling retro and playing some great tunes from my pre-teen and teenage years. Some of the summertime pop and rock gems from The Loving Spoonful, The Monkeys, The Beach Boys, Jim Croce and some rocking Elton John. It might be some light fair but it's entirely appropriate during these beastly hot days and challenging times.
I'm a supporter of local independent coffee shops but I have to admit that Starbucks has always been a supporter of good music and when I'm out of town and all I can find is a Starbucks I'm always thankful for their music as well as the great brew.
The coffee you drink and the music you hear in the morning can set the tone for your entire day so be sure you're going to a cool place getting the right mix.
Happy listening and drinking!
Jer