Every week, we’re turning to a trusted tastemaker and Talking Taste in all its forms. From favorite meals to must-have music for eating, drinking, and making things happen, we want to know what makes creators and influencers tick—don’t you?
For our taste-driven playlists and more great food-inspired music, follow us on Spotify .
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Illustration by Paige Vickers
TJ Orscher is the drummer for the indie rock band Bear Hands . These boys from Brooklyn are setting out for their summer tour, featuring their new album, You’ll Pay For This . TJ’s respect for the arts stretches beyond music and into the culinary world—so we had to pick his brain about his belief that taste is not only important, but personal.
Name: TJ Orscher
Age: 34
Day job: Musician
What you’d do if you weren’t doing your day job: Chef/bartender or a pilot
One food or drink you couldn’t live without: Linguine bolognese or French 75s
What do you have great taste in? Food and drink, I feel, everyone should have great taste in. But for me, women—just ask my fiancé.
What do you have bad taste in? Chips. I had some hot dog-flavored Pringles the other night in a drunken stupor. A+.
Who, to you, is an influential tastemaker, and why? Gordon Ramsey seems to be at the top of his game at every turn.
How do you expand and refine your sense of Taste? (i.e. where do you go for inspiration) Exploring local eateries, walking around New York, and keeping up on new food happenings.
What is the best-tasting thing you’ve ever eaten? The brown butter lobster roll at Eventide in Portland, ME.
What does taste mean to you? I feel taste is an incredibly personal thing, even though it’s something people are judged by all the time. Taste is really just what you know, what you like. Your preferences that you have acquired through your experiences. You could absolutely hate something critics have raved about. That’s your taste, and that should be fine. Who’s to judge, really? Keep your oppressive taste opinions to yourself!
TJ’s playlist is great for daily motivation and strutting through the city. Listen here:
