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Miscellaneous

Ending on a Good Note

Much of what has happened on this blog was from the creative mind I could muster up with an approaching deadline. As with everything to exist, nothing is complete without an ending. Perhaps the ending is a start of a new venture out in the virtual realm, a way to discover passion. This blog is the one outlet to bounce ideas off of and to keep on being better. Here’s what I’ve gotten from Coffee Shop Talk.

First, I’m going to start off with the numerical data to get a sense of how wildly popular this blog is.

The Scoop

Following the natural curve, the week of February 17th, was my most popular week. My first post got the most attention in the beginning because I was still promoting my website with the introductory post about Coffee Shop Talk. In that week, I amassed 28 viewers and since then has grown to 44 by today, May 10th. Any potential viewers would have to read what even this blog is about to decide whether or not this blog is for them.

In total, I’ve gotten 93 visitors and 272 views on my site. I think that’s fine, as I appreciate everyone who has taken the time out of their day to read some lines about a song or two. I mainly used Twitter as my main promoter since it’s really easy to gain views with their social media platform style. Native functions that make Twitter easy to network were most definitely the retweets. I wish I could have had a well developed Instagram page to help with relationship building with local coffee shops and really invested viewers.

I also had some viewers from China which I have no clue as to why but if you’re in China reading this blog, hello and thank you for reading this. I hope we can overcome a language barrier and one day talk about your own favorite music! I think it’s fine if the four people from China see this, in fact it means that the internet does its job by connecting people all over the world. Thanks internet.

Speaking of reaching people, the highlight of the blog was getting noticed by the band I wrote about! The day after I posted that blog, I got a notification saying they liked the tweet, which was unexpected but rewarding. It means people are paying attention to what’s written about them (a crazy concept, huh?). Thank you!

Potential

It’s a better way to lay it down in blunt terms instead of the “maybes” and “almosts”. I’m not saying that this idea wasn’t enough, but it has sparked fuel for myself to work on other projects in the digital world. It gives me the feeling of authenticity so I can create better content.

I know from talking to friends and classmates that this was a pretty interesting idea. But, I only got one person that wanted to be part of Coffee Shop Talk which was underwhelming due to the outcome that I first constructed. I had to work around that and potentially scrap the whole idea. However, I will say that the one person I met with was enough for me to realize that the show must go on.

In the perfect world, I would have wanted an array of different faces and stories.

If I do this again or similarly, I would simply seek out those people and put it in an issue. Utilizing social media is crucial for promotion but the human to human intimacy is what sells the idea. I want to meet those members in my community and hopefully gain social capital that way. It’s also important to me that I develop great story writing skills and refine my writing style to give my readers great tales. Perhaps capitalize off the idea to make a career out of it. Ventures can run wild in the west.

The way media is always evolving, I would have to do the same. Coffee Shop Talk could be a web video series, blog and physical issue. I could definitely see this in popularity for the right crowd, as it happened for the Minimalist.

Moving forward from this, I think I finally got the hang of these things. I did this for a class assignment and there’s nothing wrong with being transparent about that. But ideas must have came from somewhere that makes it on what new media companies to read upon. I can use this experience to iron out what went wrong and focus on what went right.

I continuously remind everyone of Covid-19 related issues as it has unsettled seemingly permanent day to day life. It was rough having to think of ideas and content when I couldn’t (and still shouldn’t) meet with people in public. Until recently, all businesses were closed unless essential. If they weren’t closed, I could only be six feet away from everyone. Not ideal for the blog. Nonetheless, stay safe and keep evolving into your own best self. Listen to some albums I’ve written about or discover new artists. Let me know where they take you.

Categories
Miscellaneous

Concerts, Coronavirus and Coffee Shop Talk, a Conversation

Most of the talk in the world lately has been around the Covid-19 pandemic. The virus has singlehandedly put daily life on hold in all aspects. From schools shutting down and issuing quarantines to unemployment, dynamics of living is on an interim for the foreseeable future.

For some weeks now, the public has now become homebound for their safety. Public spaces are empty and unable to operate due to the risk Covid-19 presents. Local businesses have shut down if they are not necessary for society. Corporation chains are also enforcing stricter policies regarding social distancing and operating hours.

Artist King Krule, had planned to tour the U.S. and U.K. this spring upon his latest album release, “Man Alive!”. There was a show for April 4th in Austin, but was rescheduled for September due to the coronavirus.

I was planning on attending this concert with friends and integrating the experience to the blog.

Another favorite artist of mine, The Garden, was planning on touring as they also released their album “Kiss My Superbowl Ring”. The duo has also revealed that they will postpone concerts from their spring tour until next year.

What does this mean for Coffee Shop Talk?

Initially, this was going to be a blog for myself to meet people in a cafe and have a conversation. However, concerts and gatherings altogether have been cancelled.

Concert reviews will be postponed, but I am still planning on interviews online and album reviews until further notice.

It is unfortunate that things are this way, however, I am doing my best to work around the quarantine for mine and everyone else’s safety.

Moving forward

I want to thank all public and private health officials for their dedication to humanity in trying times. As they work endlessly to serve the greater good, we should all do our part in keeping ourselves clean and sanitized, engaging in social distancing, covering our mouths when we cough and being mindful when in public.

For any of you reading, stay safe and adhere to your local and federal governments for information regarding the coronavirus. The CDC has guidelines online for all of our safety on this page.

Categories
Miscellaneous

Who and What is Coffee Shop Talk?

Hello all! My name is John and I’m a student at Texas State University in San Marcos. I was born in Denton, Texas and I moved to Austin in 2011. Growing up in the “Live Music Capital of the World”, with events such as SXSW and ACL, I was surrounded by music.

I would go to concerts in the city and become ecstatic, seeing my favorite bands. I would even have the chance to meet upcoming artists. In addition to those artists, fans and I would share our favorite songs, albums, eras, and genres of music.

Crumb lead singer, Lila Ramani, at Barracuda, Austin

Coffee Shop Talk is my platform where I bring that experience online. I’ll have invited a guest to a local café for some coffee (or any beverage, really), and I’ll chronicle what we discuss; which albums, songs, artists, or genres are their favorite, what they might not like, what they may think their favorite song of all time is, and so much more.

I chose a cafe, mainly because they exude an aura of comfort and lax. I find it the least intimidating way to get to talk to someone.

However, this isn’t bound to just those conversations. I’ll also post:

  • New album reviews
  • Concert highlights
  • Snack and beverage combos
  • Other things I may find interesting

In addition, I also hope to get some good recommendations.

I’m doing this as a way to get to know “strangers” on a more than surface level, in the sense that people tend to express their individuality through music. I can’t say I’ve ever met someone who actually doesn’t like music.

What’s great about this, is that you don’t have to be a music major or connoisseur on the subject. There are pretentious music lovers, but what’s great about every one is that they are their own person. They are an expert in their likes, tastes and style. There is no certain person that Coffee Shop Talk is looking for, trust me.

I plan to make a Spotify playlist for people who may be interested in listening to what music guests of my blog will like. If you or someone you know is interested, get into contact with me as soon as possible!

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