We’re continuing with our series featuring some of the creative people that we know. Every Tuesday we will introduce them as they share with us the ten things they can’t live without. Today we are introducing our dear friend and musician, fellow blog writer [AudioADD], Apple geek, hamburger enthusiast Keaton Branch [@kbranch]

Location: Houston, TX

[one] coffee

Quitting smoking recently left me itching for a new drug, and I’ve found that coffee fills that void fairly well. I have every intention of following in the steps of my grandparents by guzzling a full pot before starting each day.

[two] concerts

Musicians are in their prime when they’re on stage. Some of my favorite albums didn’t mean much to me until I was in the same room hearing the songs live and sharing those emotions with the people who created them. Concerts are invigorating, cathartic, and often surreal.

[three] grilling

Some men work with wood and metal to create something that they’re proud of. I use a grill. Give me a basket of veggies, a pile of meat, and some charcoal, and say goodbye to your respect for anyone else’s grilling skills.

[four] happy music

Remember that part in Fight Club where the main character is having his hand burned with lye and he goes to his happy place to find his “power animal”? Music is my power animal. When I need to calm down or forget about a stressful day, I put on some Polyphonic Spree or some James Taylor and it all melts away.

[five] headphones

I have a bit of a sweet tooth for headphones. It’s pretty rare that you’ll find me without a set of headphones within arms-reach. If I want to hear music I want to experience it, and you simply can’t do that without a good set of cans.

[six] ipad

Mobile technology has always been fascinating to me, and the iPhone has revolutionized the way I approach my day-to-day. With the advent of the iPad, the interface that I’ve learned to know, love, and be productive with is now so much more immersive.

[seven] passion

Everything I choose to do in my life I choose out of passion: blogging, music, relationships, work, etc. Life is too short and too full for anything that you’re not passionate about.

[eight] style

It’s no secret, and I’m not ashamed. I am an admirer of style and I put effort into it. One of my favorite books is “The Modern Gentleman: A Guide to Essential Manners, Savvy, and Vice.” I want to exemplify the modern gentleman, and I do my best to show it through the way I dress, speak, and carry myself.

[nine] vinyl

There’s something nostalgic about dropping a needle down between the grooves on a fresh record. The warm crackle of dust in the analog sound is the subtle imperfection that is too often polished out of albums these days.

[ten] writing

I was 10 when I attended my first poetry reading with my mom. I was 13 when I wrote my first song, and 14 when I started my first blog. Writing has always been an outlet for me. It’s my soapbox, my language study, and my creative outlet.

Stay tuned for text Tuesday when we feature our dear friend and designer, photographer/owner of Chippora Photography, Alicia Spaete.

Until next time!

dc