THE RIDER: Dan Murray's Top 10
Ahead of the second-annual Danstock™ this Monday, the musician (and Arlene's head booker!) on Fast Fret, magic pants and "god's perfect way to discreetly eat a block of cheese"
HAPPY SUNDAY! A long weekend deserves double the newsletters, so we’re dropping by with some bonus content via another addition of THE RIDER — this round, courtesy of BdBK BFF /Arlene’s Grocery’s head booker /#1 wig rocker… the man/myth/musician… genuine delight-of-a-dude Dan Murray, who is here to invite YOU to Danstock 2: Electric Boogaloo!
This is the second annual festival — at where else but Arlene’s! — and word on the street is it’s “better than 10x Coachellas.” (And requires neither a plane ride nor $2000.) SO! Get properly pumped via the playlist below and read on to discover Dan’s Top 10 list, which features sweet recs for snacks, shots, shoes and more—
Plus one absurd old-school YouTube video. Enjoy!
DAN MURRAY’S TOP 10
1. Aisle Seat at the Concert
A strategic move for any avid concert goer. Maximize your real estate & avoid that awkward little shuffle when someone down the row needs to piss.
2. Pre-Show Jagerbomb OR Green Tea Shot
I am honestly relatively new to Jagerbombs. Historically I have been a green tea shot advocate (the most welcomed shot to return to a table of friends & business associates with). A few months ago I admitted to an Arlene’s bartender (Hi Kayte!) that I had never taken the dive. Three jagerbombs later I was in an Uber on my way to Sun Ra Arkestra at TV Eye, sailing through the cosmos. Be the reason your friend is late for work the next morning and let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic.
3. GHS Fast Fret
Hate changing guitar strings constantly? Get a can of fast fret, put it in your gig bag & smother your fretboard before taking the stage. Always remember: it’s not the notes you play, it’s how smoothly you can glide out of that part of the solo you fucked up.
4. Sunday Morning Minimalist Candle by Brooklyn Candle Studio
Appropriately titled, most Sunday mornings before heading to work at the studio I have made a routine of lighting up one of these at my apartment. Pairs well with spinning Andre 3000’s New Blue Sun on your turntable & hanging with my cat Elvira whose smelly litter box brought about the need for this godsend of a scented candle.
5. Vintage Women’s Big Bud Press Striped Bootcut Pants
You can catch a glimpse of these miracle pants in the above photo. Thrifted when working a shift at Main Street Beat. Originally owned and worn by BOTH the store owners Jen & Amy. They are magical. Wore them at the last Danstock and honestly may run it again. What a journey these pants have had.
6. Liquid Death (Refrigerated)
Simply put, nothing has ever remedied a hangover the next morning as effectively as a freezing cold can of Liquid Death. Not sponsored, just doing my part.
7. Caminos
Post-smoke paranoia? Afraid to take the gamble on a bodega edible with a skull & crossbones logo? Take one 5mg Camino and thank me later.
8. Mozzarella Sticks
God’s perfect way to discreetly eat a block of cheese. You can fuck up french fries but it is somehow actually harder to screw up mozzarella sticks. Enjoyed by the youngest family member at the restaurant dinner table & stumbling drunk night owls alike.
9. Doc Martens Chelsea Boots
As someone with a size 14 foot you have limited options of footwear that doesn’t resemble clown shoes. I have two pairs of Doc’s, the same exact boot in brown (casual) & black (formal). Personally not a fan of the model with the classic yellow stitching because I’m no longer a liberal arts college student, but to each their own.
10. “You can shop at five or six stores… or just one”
Found this YouTube classic in high school and have been hooked ever since. Absolutely mesmerizing. If you’ve never indulged I recommend revisiting number seven on this list and making a night of it. If you are already familiar I guarantee it’s even funnier than your memory allows. Could write another top ten on just quotes from this video. Over the years people have tried to explain the context & origin of this and I refuse to pay it any mind. I love that this video exists and would never want to spoil the magic of something so absurd.
The Top 10 above written + provided by Dan Murray. Follow the artist at @danthedeadhead.
Feature image provided by the artist.