Inspiration from Unlikely Places

  There is something about mid-80s hip-hop that is just so fucking cool. It is essentially barebones minimalism at its finest. The beats are pretty much nothing more than a 12-bit drum machine & a pair of turntables, yet they create a sound that is larger than life. A perfect example is Sucker MCs by Run DMC. Just a drum machine and two MCs. No frills & no bullshit. 
  One of my favorite stories in music is when Sucker MCs was 1st recorded, the label was asking when they were gonna add guitar & bass and Run DMC was like "what do you mean? this song is done." Everyone thought they were crazy at the time, but it changed music forever. I have always tried to apply that philosophy to my drinks when I am behind the bar. Keep it simple & let the spirit shine.
  That does not mean that the drink cant be complicated. It only means that it cannot be complicated for no reason. There is a big difference. We use all kinds of fun techniques at the bar. Everything from nitrogen lines, sous vide, fat-washing, etc., but only to make a simple drink better. Always remember, "The technique should never be more interesting than the drink itself." 
  So long story short, I just want to say thank you toRun DMC, Rick Rubin & the whole 1980s Def Jam Recordings crew for influencing me on the way that I make drinks behind the bar.