Offbeat L.A. news: A Bizarre Buzz – Coffee from David Lynch

A sample of David Lynch’s witches brew (photo by Nikki Kreuzer)

Looking for an unexpected jolt? Ready to throw down the shackles of your mind and bring your ordinary coffee break into strange, new, perhaps surreal territory? Well, frankly,  I’m not sure if merely switching your coffee brand is capable of doing that, but I suppose if you are going to try you should start with the newly released Signature Cup Coffee Line by the master of the Offbeat himself, David Lynch.

Meeting David Lynch through a caffiene fogged haze (photo by Nikki Kreuzer)

Mr. Lynch, an eclectic and always busy Los Angeles resident, has hooked up with mega grocery chain Whole Foods to create three organic, fair-trade blends exclusively for release in its 20 Southern California stores. To celebrate this new partnership, David Lynch appeared Saturday at the West Hollywood location to sign bags of coffee as well as his newest music release and to give out delicious free samples of his liquid gold, served dark and over ice.

Bagfuls of ideas… (photo by Nikki Kreuzer)

This Offbeat L.A. column tries to avoid covering anything that reeks of consumerism, but the opportunity to meet this brilliant, multi-faceted auteur face-to-face while sampling his smooth and tasty joe was a magnetic pull too strong for this mere mortal to resist. So drawn by an overwhelming Lynchian fascination and a thirst deeper than could be satiated by French Roast, this author braved the jam-packed parking lot at the corner of Fairfax and Santa Monica Boulevard.

The author wrapped in caffeinated Lynchian comfort (photo by Michael Eivaz)

After downing a cup of Lynch’s tasty House Blend I was no closer to Jesus, nor the devil, nor midgets who speak in parablistic riddles, but I was a little peppier in my step and ready to meet Lynch himself.  I opted to have him sign one of his CDs and a creepy 1970’s Russ Berrie statuette that reads “Have I Told You Lately that You’re Special.” The CD seemed more bang for my buck because at $15.99 for a 12-ounce bag, the Whole Paycheck joke kind of prevails.

Have I told you lately that you’re Special? David Lynch’s penmanship practice (photo by Nikki Kreuzer)

The winter snow-haired Lynch was flanked by assistants on each side, but took the time to chat briefly with each person waiting. He was as affable and intense as his work would lead you to imagine. Each person that showed up to greet him was given an Eraserhead poster and some David Lynch coasters.  Try his coffee, I do recommend it. The espresso was particularly good, but he has also created a decaf version as well. Maybe swing by one of L.A.’s giant doughnuts, pick up a dozen and make it a surreal meal. Hopefully the spell of the caffeine crafted by the captain of the curious will weave its way into your subconscious and have you writing, performing, creating, working, living and playing in new and oddly enchanting ways. After all, as the advertising clearly states, there are ideas in every bag…