A golden triangle of food, beer and music
FAT FREDDY’S DROP musician Iain Gordon is swapping his keyboard for a chopping board this month.
Gordon is teaming up with Wellington music venue San Fran to cook for its entry into this year’s Wellington On a Plate festival.
Over four nights, San Fran will host Music2Brew2, a live music event celebrating the ‘‘magic triangle’’ of food, beer, and music.
Gordon, who is best known as the keyboardist in Wellington band Fat Freddy’s Drop, says he sharpened his cooking skills while touring with the band.
‘‘When we are on the road, we like tasting all the flavours from the areas we are visiting,’’ he says.
‘‘We also do a lot with food in the studio, we will often cook a meal before we start recording.’’
Gordon says he is drawn to the creativity that cooking offers, and unlike music, it does not take months to serve up a good idea.
‘‘I love food, fishing, hunting, and all the rest of it. It’s just another creative outlet.
‘‘It is the process of having an idea, then creating a dish, and then eating it.
‘‘Unlike an album, you can create something and cook it quite easily.’’
Four of Wellington’s bestknown breweries – Tuatara, Panhead, Garage Project, and ParrotDog – are showcasing new beers at Music2Brew2.
San Fran owner Tim Ward says the event is about matching these beers with the perfect concoction of food and sound.
‘‘It’s the magic triangle of food and beer and music,’’ he says.
‘‘Guests can taste the beer from these breweries, taste the food that Iain has created, and all the while they get a great live gig.’’
Ward says over four nights Music2Brew2 will pair a different brewery with a different band. Music2Brew2 is at San Fran, Cuba St, on August 20, 21, 27, and 28. Tickets are $52, from Ticketek. August 20 – Teeth, a psychedelic-rock band including Luke Buda of the Phoenix Foundation. Paired with ParrotDog brewery. August 21 – The Nudge, a folkrock fusion band. Paired with Panhead brewery. August 27 – The Garage Project Grunt Ensemble, which features members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Paired with Garage Project brewery. August 28 – The Richter City Rebels, a New Orleans inspired jazz-funk band. Paired with Tuatara brewery.
‘‘Each brewer chooses a music style that inspires them to brew, and we help to find a band in that music style.
‘‘They brew a unique recipe for that beer, and then Iain comes in and cooks up something to accompany it.’’
ParrotDog founder Matt Kristofski says they will be bringing their new ‘‘Rarebird’’ brew to the event.
‘‘It’s something we’ve had in the back of our minds for a while now,’’ he says.
‘‘I guess the timing with Music2Brew2 was just perfect.’’