The Thousands

Lately, Rob from The Commons has become our reference for ‘man’. He always smells like firewood and the other day we saw him climb out on the roof in the pouring rain to fix a gutter, then come inside and keep on working like it was nothing. This mixtape he made us is pretty bloody manly too.

What makes a great mixtape?
A great mixtape maps out a journey, with simple directions, and attention payed to weather conditions. This mix tape is made for rainy conditions. It maps out somewhat of a history of American music that we have on vinyl in the bar this winter. I was thinking of a river course when I made it. Simple and raw at the beginning, swirling in the middle and dispersing at the end, well generally anyway. I’m going to play it in the car on the way to my friend’s farm on the Hawkesbury this weekend with my girlfriend.  

What’s your favorite song on the mix?
I think James Blood Ulmer’s ‘Satisfy’. I saw him play at sunset at All Tomorrow’s Parties and I can still hear that voice in my head, see his old hands on that guitar, and smell the harbour on that boiling hot day. I felt incredibly lucky to live in Sydney at that moment.

Three words to describe the new bar at The Commons?
Hidden&Calm&Beautiful

Any drink specials you wanna share?
Colin makes amazing classics. In fact we don’t make any cocktails post 1950. Ask him to tell you what you want. He’ll often match it to the music anyway. This album is for Whisky, Sazeracs, and quality Bourbon. Other vinyl we have better suits a Martinez, Old Fashioned, Manhattan, or Cognac. Boutique wines and beers are there as always. Wednesdays and Thursdays usually have a featured cocktail special and are turning into our favorite nights.  

Favorite album for when you wanna get (ahem) ‘frisky’?
WTF?