Haylie Ecker’s Soundbites: Food And Music Are A Match Made In Heaven!

The connection between food and music is oh-so-magic. It’s been explored from many angles – ranging from comments about Mario Batali’s choice of music at Babbo to recommending music for a dinner party. And excitingly, cyber-activity joining these two disparate forms of art together is on the increase.

San Francisco-based food and music blog, Turntable Kitchen, are trending with their Pairings Box, ‘a curated food and music discovery experience’, which is delivered to subscribers’ mailboxes every month. Their latest recommendation marries Crispy Broccolini, Chickpea and Ricotta Salad with the song Thao & The Get Down Stay Down – We The Common. And Food Is The New Rock tweet a free weekly podcast under the guise of a “Fat guy (@midtownlunchLA) and a music geek (@chuckp8) talking to chefs about music, and musicians about food.”

I especially love author and chef Michael Ruhlman’s thought provoking collaboration with Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra from last year. And Huffington Post Food’s Songs About Food Spotify Playlist is fun for everyone, that is, if you’re able to access Spotify; here’s praying for HK access soon! But the conclusion between food & music must come from Heston Blumenthal and Charles Spence. Yes, there is strong evidence that music can dramatically affect taste.

So I had a crazy idea. Joining in with the food & music global buzz, and fueled by a love I have for making music mixes, I wanted to try a playlist-collaboration geared specifically for Hong Kong.

And the timing is perfect! New York’s revolutionary string quartet – Brooklyn Rider – are flying to HK this week to perform concerts. And Chief Executive Chef Vinny Lauria recently opened Stone Nullah Tavern, where he’s on a crusade to introduce Hong Kong to “New American” cuisine in the heart of Wan Chai. The idea of combining these extremely talented artists is like fireworks!

Vice likens Brooklyn Rider to “motocross daredevils who never screw up a stunt.” And through creative programming and global collaborations, Brooklyn Rider’s “down-to-earth demeanor… demystifies contemporary classical music and invites everyone into the tent.” Time Out New York and Wonderchef Vinny Lauria is from the same book-of-cool. With 2 years experience as Sous Chef at Mario Batali’s New York flagship restaurant, Babbo, he knows exactly how to set the vibe we’re all in search of; his music mixes are as edgy and awesome as the dishes he creates. Vinny recounts, “One of the cool things about Babbo is that they just play Mario’s or the GM’s iPod for service. And that’s one of the things that made me pick the music at SNT.”

So here it is. A playlist to whet the appetite of you and your little ones alike! It’s a Vinny Lauria meets Brooklyn Rider meets Lovehaylie compilation of lush tunes, especially put together for you and your kids to vibe to. #Take out: Play it in the kitchen for cooking with the kids for an ambience of cool. #Dine in: Play it to further enhance the flavours of that meal you just created with the kids. #Whenever: Play it for pure vibe, any time of the day, to introduce a piece of lush eclectic New York to your home in Hong Kong.

1. MILES DAVIS – So What
2. LJOVA – Plume (performed by BROOKLYN RIDER)
3. THE ALLMAN BROTHER’S BAND – In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed
4. JAMES BROWN – Super Bad
5. NINA SIMONE – Feeling Good
6. SOULIVE- Steppin’
7. STEVIE WONDER- Superstition
8. TAME IMPALA – Feels Like We Only Go Backwards
9. JENNY SCHEINMAN – Ali Farka Touche
10. ME PHI ME – Revival!
11. GRATEFUL DEAD – Sugar Magnolia
12. (BEETHOVEN- String Quartet No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op 131: II Movt: Allegro molto Vivace (performed by BROOKLYN RIDER)
13. DAVE BRUBECK – Take Five
14. CHRISTINA COURTIN – Foreign Country
15. PHILIP GLASS- String Quartet No. 3 “Mishma”: VI Movt: Mishima/Closing

Enjoy to the max!

Love, Haylie

Brooklyn Rider performs PLAY!’s next concert this Friday evening, April 19, 6-7pm, at HK Jockey Club Amphitheatre, HK Academy Of Performing Arts. Address: 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai . 

Tickets are available from http://www.pphk.org and www.hkticketing.com