hey mark, your thoughts are always welcome, so i don't want to dwell here too much (i had a feeling i was going to get shelled by someone). mentioning i did't like the band was indeed a disclaimer that i may be subconsciously bias here. so yes, my initial reaction upon reading the title was a groan, but i swear, the "boo" came after i read the article. branching out into the reasons for the groan would be drifting into the "general off topics" area, so i tried to be honest to the bean in my comments.
admittedly, i am incredibly far from nashville, so i have no idea how good a café their mentioned crema is, and i erred in not giving them props for doing charity work for africa. but honestly, i know lots of people who like "strong coffee" and the café scene and yet drink very bad coffee. relating back to the steve page article. . . after you drop enough buzzwords, doesn't it just mean you know what you're talking about? i felt there was much more in that interview that potentially raised the consciousness of a fan of their music who perhaps hadn't had an "epiphany moment" regarding quality coffee. stepping back from the "geek" side of "geekdom," i'm of the opinion that the more people are exposed to amazing things happening in a cup, the more people will see coffee as more than a commodity, strong / weak, roasty, not too bitter, etc. and then the respect those farmers deserve (most notably in the amount of money consumers are willing to pay) will follow. then everyone's happy (even the harshest music critic). : }
aww geez, i'm finding myself dwelling so i'd better make it count. i think too much of the plateau we've seen in the coffee scene (most notably in *$$), is coffee chains trying to create a brand, indy shops trying to create cozy cafés and maximize throughput, some of their consumers feeling proud about supporting fair trade organic, and yet so many shops just not serving up good coffee. the reality that so many people have never had a really good cup of coffee or really good cappuccino is actually kind of depressing for me. i love the reactions i get when i invite a noob over for a cup or a capp: "you drink this every day?!" joy spreading over their faces. i just want people to know what good coffee is -- that it exists. so i guess to clarify, i'd hope coffeegeek would emphasize the cup first, the gadgetry as a means to that end, and then everything else would follow.
just to play devil's advocate: flip the script -- maybe some geeks love the clay article because of how much they love the band and not because of the substance?
harry.
"i should pull up the hardwood to see if there's carpet underneath! . . . no, that's never the case."
morgan_greywolf Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2009 Posts: 155 Location: Hudson, FL Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: PID'd Hamilton-Beach Grinder: Infinity, Zassenhaus Vac Pot: I was told they suck. :-) Drip: AeroPress Roaster: Cattle Dog Roasters
Posted Wed May 13, 2009, 7:57pm Subject: Re: jars of clay - coffeegeeks?, the cafe stage
Well, I like lots of different styles of music, though I don't tend to listen to much Christian music, being non-Christian myself. Knowing how much skill and creativity it really takes to write, produce, and perform music (just ask our double-platinum songwriter, IMAWriter) I really do respect all those who choose to undertake the tasks involved.
I'll say the interview was pretty good. The questions were well thought out and well-targeted for this audience. Bravo, Jason!
Iluvdabean Senior Member Joined: 7 Mar 2005 Posts: 1,058 Location: California Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: La Nuova Era Cuadra/Gaggia... Grinder: Baratza Preciso/K-A Pro... Drip: Capresso MT 500/Pour Over Roaster: Nesco 1010/Behmor 1600
Posted Wed May 13, 2009, 8:52pm Subject: Re: jars of clay - coffeegeeks?, the cafe stage
I love thier music and was glad to see the interview here. Its hard for Christians to gain secular recognition often times because of the message.So many cross over and compromise to try to reach a larger audience..they dont give grammys away for nothing so when you get three that says something. Good job. That they love coffee was a nice part I enjoyed reading about. I bet heaven as the perfect espresso blend....:)
joshmcneilly Senior Member Joined: 13 May 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Columbus, OH Expertise: Pro Barista
Drip: V60, Beehouse
Posted Wed May 13, 2009, 10:31pm Subject: Re: Jars of Clay - CoffeeGeeks?, The Cafe Stage
JARS! I didn't know you guys liked coffee! Nice! I'm one of the riders on this year's Ride:Well Bike Tour, benefitting Blood:Water Mission and their work in sub-saharan Africa! I'll be keeping blogs on the way (check http://www.ridewelltour.org/profile/JoshuaMcNeilly to see the blog from the trip, which starts June 11th). Anyone who reads this may also be interested that I'll be talking a little about the good coffee I find along the way, as I'm a long-time barista/frequenter of good coffee shops. I'll be writing about several shops I'm excited about visiting, like Intelli's new Venice store, Cafe Luxxe, LaMill, Crema, and Blue Bottle. Look for those reviews/comments at www.pacificportico/blogspot.com . Thanks, guys. Keep writing dope music, and drink more spro. I hope I get to meet y'all somewhere on the tour!
Posted Thu May 14, 2009, 1:08am Subject: Re: Jars of Clay - CoffeeGeeks?, The Cafe Stage
I have no idea who Jars of Clay are (maybe I'll take this opportunity to check them out), so I can't be accused of having a bias, nor should it really matter.
While it's always nice to see some new content on Coffeegeek (big c), I will say this - the interview didn't suggest to me that Charlie Lowell was a coffeegeek (small c). Either that or the bar for coffeegeek has been set pretty low.
+1, i think it was just a promotion for their new album. i guess everyone has their own idea of what "good music" is. it is like coffee. i think if this was a music site they would be looked at more like starbucks or dunkin doughnuts. just like some people are fine with mc donalds coffee, some are fine with crappy music. it is not their fault they don't know any better or don't want too. just because someone sells a million albums or has a million views on you tube or sells a million cups of coffee does not make them or it good. this is all just my opinion though.
"You can write down how to make the perfect cup of coffee. But to make it really good, you have to play something fictional, you have to dress up, you have to think, This is the most important thing."
Posted Fri May 15, 2009, 1:32pm Subject: Re: jars of clay - coffeegeeks?, the cafe stage
Wow. Don't know where to start with this one. Hmmmm, let's see. First off, at no point was this a promotion for their new album, and I wonder how out of all the questions that were coffee related, you tried to pull that out. Second, this interview was not about their music, it was about their love of good coffee, and how what they do with Blood:Water has everything to do with that, especially seeing as alot of the places they are helping to get clean water wells dug and HIV and Malaria help in are coffee producing areas. Again, at what point did you think it was about their music? Also, what kind of person makes a comment like that not knowing the facts? Have you heard their latest album. My friends will tell you, I listen to some of the best indie/rock/alternative music out there, and I think that their latest CD is one of the best this year, so far. But again, this is not an interview or article about music, it's about coffee.
I don't care if you don't like their music. Not at all. If you listen to their new stuff and think it's crap, that's cool. it's your opinion, but don't relate your bias towards their music, or perceived genre of music towards an article about coffee, which is what this site is about. And for the record, again, I thought about doing this because since I have known them and of them, they have been into good coffee. I remember almost 7 years taking them around downtown Athens, and all that wanted to know was where was the best independent coffee. I took them to Blue Sky Coffee, at that time the best shop in Athens, and they loved it, bought stickers to put on their gear, and would still remember it. I read their tweets everyday, and they are at CREMA almost everyday, one of the best, if not best, coffeeshops in Nashville. (If they're not on the road, of course.) They talk about the drinks they get there from Rachel with unabashed passion. Also, what are your favorite bands doing to help coffee farmers in Africa? Or people in Rwanda?
So, thanks for your comments and opinion, although I don't agree, and feel they are misguided and inaccurate. And again, let's try to remember that this is not an elite club people have to be asked into. This coffee community has to be open and accessible to all, because good coffee is accessible to all. There are no gatekeepers into our world, and shouldn't be. Anyone who enjoys good coffee and espresso, making it or drinking it, is open into the community. Whatever style music they play or listen to. That's what a coffeegeek is. All about respect, and that's all I'm sayin.
Bitches_Brew Said:
+1, i think it was just a promotion for their new album. i guess everyone has their own idea of what "good music" is. it is like coffee. i think if this was a music site they would be looked at more like starbucks or dunkin doughnuts. just like some people are fine with mc donalds coffee, some are fine with crappy music. it is not their fault they don't know any better or don't want too. just because someone sells a million albums or has a million views on you tube or sells a million cups of coffee does not make them or it good. this is all just my opinion though.
Bitches_Brew Senior Member Joined: 4 Feb 2009 Posts: 764 Location: indiana Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: yes Grinder: yes Vac Pot: no Drip: no Roaster: yes
Posted Fri May 15, 2009, 3:22pm Subject: Re: jars of clay - coffeegeeks?, the cafe stage
jdominy Said:
Wow. Don't know where to start with this one. Hmmmm, let's see. First off, at no point was this a promotion for their new album, and I wonder how out of all the questions that were coffee related, you tried to pull that out. Second, this interview was not about their music, it was about their love of good coffee, and how what they do with Blood:Water has everything to do with that, especially seeing as alot of the places they are helping to get clean water wells dug and HIV and Malaria help in are coffee producing areas. Again, at what point did you think it was about their music? Also, what kind of person makes a comment like that not knowing the facts? Have you heard their latest album. My friends will tell you, I listen to some of the best indie/rock/alternative music out there, and I think that their latest CD is one of the best this year, so far. But again, this is not an interview or article about music, it's about coffee.
I don't care if you don't like their music. Not at all. If you listen to their new stuff and think it's crap, that's cool. it's your opinion, but don't relate your bias towards their music, or perceived genre of music towards an article about coffee, which is what this site is about. And for the record, again, I thought about doing this because since I have known them and of them, they have been into good coffee. I remember almost 7 years taking them around downtown Athens, and all that wanted to know was where was the best independent coffee. I took them to Blue Sky Coffee, at that time the best shop in Athens, and they loved it, bought stickers to put on their gear, and would still remember it. I read their tweets everyday, and they are at CREMA almost everyday, one of the best, if not best, coffeeshops in Nashville. (If they're not on the road, of course.) They talk about the drinks they get there from Rachel with unabashed passion. Also, what are your favorite bands doing to help coffee farmers in Africa? Or people in Rwanda?
So, thanks for your comments and opinion, although I don't agree, and feel they are misguided and inaccurate. And again, let's try to remember that this is not an elite club people have to be asked into. This coffee community has to be open and accessible to all, because good coffee is accessible to all. There are no gatekeepers into our world, and shouldn't be. Anyone who enjoys good coffee and espresso, making it or drinking it, is open into the community. Whatever style music they play or listen to. That's what a coffeegeek is. All about respect, and that's all I'm sayin.
i respect their love for good coffee and ESPECIALLY the work they do. i'm sure they are a bunch of great guys. i just don't like their music and was making a comparison with coffee. like espresso machines and cars. like i said everyone has different tastes in music and coffee. sorry for any offense.
"You can write down how to make the perfect cup of coffee. But to make it really good, you have to play something fictional, you have to dress up, you have to think, This is the most important thing."
Posted Fri May 15, 2009, 3:36pm Subject: Re: jars of clay - coffeegeeks?, the cafe stage
No worries. Again, all about respect, and I respect your opinion, as well, just wanted to make sure people didn't misunderstand my motives for the article. I can't wait to give them the Aeropress and coffee tomorrow in Asheville. (And as much as the music goes, i ask you to give their new music a spin on iTunes. It's leaps better in terms of quality than most of their older stuff.)
Bitches_Brew Said:
i respect their love for good coffee and ESPECIALLY the work they do. i'm sure they are a bunch of great guys. i just don't like their music and was making a comparison with coffee. like espresso machines and cars. like i said everyone has different tastes in music and coffee. sorry for any offense.
Bitches_Brew Senior Member Joined: 4 Feb 2009 Posts: 764 Location: indiana Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: yes Grinder: yes Vac Pot: no Drip: no Roaster: yes
Posted Fri May 15, 2009, 4:04pm Subject: Re: jars of clay - coffeegeeks?, the cafe stage
jdominy Said:
No worries. Again, all about respect, and I respect your opinion, as well, just wanted to make sure people didn't misunderstand my motives for the article. I can't wait to give them the Aeropress and coffee tomorrow in Asheville. (And as much as the music goes, i ask you to give their new music a spin on iTunes. It's leaps better in terms of quality than most of their older stuff.)
right on.:) i'm sure they will love the aeropress. i'll bet it will come in handy on the road.
i started a thread titled good music for good coffee. you should post a link to one of their songs or a video from youtube on there.
"You can write down how to make the perfect cup of coffee. But to make it really good, you have to play something fictional, you have to dress up, you have to think, This is the most important thing."
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