Coffee Break

Marika Hackman
marikahackman.com

English singer Marika Hackman recently released Big Sigh on January 12, 2024, her first studio album in five years. This was the “hardest record” that she’s ever made, in her own words.

The preceding single for this record is called “No Caffeine”, which seemed to be about anxiety and panic attack: “Occupy your mind, don’t stay home, talk to all your friends, but don’t look at your phone. Scream into a bag, try to turn your brain off.”

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Jazmin Bean
jazminbean.com

Singer-songwriter and globally acclaimed multimedia artist Jazmin Bean new single, “You Know What You’ve Done,” is out now. This is the fourth single from their debut album, Traumatic Livelihood (Island Records / Interscope), set for release on February 23, 2024.

This huge anthemic pop song, with a hint of rock, is an ode to heartbreak. Jazmin says “This song is about feeling remorseful, revengeful and getting payback on a lover who didn’t take accountability.”

 

We saw Jazmin Bean in 20 Nov 2023 and said, “Jazmin Bean, along with guitarist Ben Simon and drummer (CJ Evans?), exploded on stage. Bean was so excited to play that through hard movements for the first song, “Worldwide Torture”, managed to lose the feedback earpiece. “I can’t hear myself,” Bean commented. As they were looking for the missing earpiece, it was clear that fans did not care for the technical difficulties. “You sound great!” they shouted back.”

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Delilah Montagu
delilahmontagumusic.com

London-born, LA-based pop singer-songwriter Delilah Montagu’s released a new single called “Coffee.”

Described as in the styles of Joni Mitchell and Maggie Rogers, “Coffee,” is about friendship and loving someone: “If you want me, I would be there in a heartbeat, call me and I’d bring you coffee, and tell you there’s nothing to lose… Tell you there’s nothing to choose.”

Montagu comments, “Something I have been learning this year is how important friendship is and how simple it can be, just being there for the people you love is enough. This new body of work I have been making is the most authentic and real music I have ever made and being able to share it with the world is so exciting. Chapter one of many is starting now!”

 

 

 

Black Coffee
realblackcoffee.net

South African house music DJ and producer Black Coffee (aka Nkosinathi Maphumulo) is making a rare appearance at the CRSSD Festival in San Diego on March 2, 2024.

Black Coffee is most famous for “longest-ever DJ set”, according to Guinness World Record, when he DJed for 60 hours nonstop. Since then, he won the Breakthrough DJ of the Year at the 2015 DJ Awards in Ibiza and Best African Act at the 2016 BET Awards in Los Angeles.

Drake took noticed and promoted the DJ on his playlist, resulting in collaborating with John Legend, Usher, David Guetta with Delilah Montagu (see above!) for the song “Drive”.

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Michael Lane
michaellanemusic.de

One of Starbucks’ favorite musician is German/American Michael Lane (famous for “Liberty”, the official song of the Four Hills Tournament 2015/2016). Lane’s new single, “Blind”, recently came out January 19, 2024, via Berlin based record label Greywood Records.

Talking about the new single, Lane said, “In ‘Blind’, I explore the emotional journey of navigating a world veiled in shadows and monotony. The song delves into the search for vibrancy within a colorless existence, capturing the longing for connection and meaning amidst broken moments. It reflects on the unseen beauty within life’s symphony, inviting the listener to find solace in the midst of the dimming light.”

We wrote about Lane in 2021 when he released his “Moon & Sun” single.

Speaking of Germany, their finance minister recently said on Friday, that his country is just a little tired and in need of a “cup of coffee.”

 

 

 

Ionmug
tzumi.com

You might remember how excited I was to pay $50 for an Ember Mug in October 2023. I think the biggest problem (for me) is my inability to return the cup to the wireless charging plate… so I often have a “dumb” mug.

Recently, I saw these Ionmug at Walmart, selling for $40. I bought it as my backup mug. I now have a charging plate at the coffee maker and one at my working desk. The Ember and Ionmug plates are not compatible, so that is annoying (so only the Ionmug can use the Ionmug plate).

Comparing the Ember vs Ionmug at full retail price, I’m going to say that neither of these mugs are worth the $170+ asking price (the manufacturer’s page lists the Ionmug for $180). The Ember is the original and has an App for full temperature control, as well as made from ceramic and better material. The Ionmug is plastic and very light and only has three temperature options. The only improvement that the Ionmug offers is the no-splash lid, which I found incredibly useful. Not only does it keep from spilling accidentally, but help keeps the coffee hot.

I think the $40 price is fair ask for something like this: a mug to keep your coffee hot (for two hours). If you can find either the Ember or Ionmug for that price, I think it’s a good purchase. If you are deciding between the two (if they were at the same price), I would recommend the Ember, as it’s just made with better material.

At the end of the day, a standard mug at Dollar Tree will work just as well… you just have to drink your coffee within 15 minutes.