flowers in the front seat
Just as a barista can get out of a coffee’s way, so can they get out of the music’s way. Its rare form to find a coffee shop where music isn’t played and even more, where it doesn’t play in a competition setting, although both scenarios exist. Given the standard custom of a coffee shop to play music, from personal collections, app algorithms to entire vinyl records at a time, its a delight to see a barista competitor choose their music and allow it to speak as much and as loud as the coffee and content itself. In this year’s 2016 competition, themes of coffee as a vibe; as a lush life, as some[thing] to lean on and as a prototype of community and collaboration filled the air. Put your coffee down and press play.