As a New Yorker (well, I've lived here for 15 years) who hangs out a lot in Austin, I find many agreeable things about "The Live Music Capital of The World" and yet there are always those little things that one misses ... the noise, the dirt, the bagels. Bagels? Yep, fact is that the best ones come from the Big Apple. But now, when he is not beating the skins, Joe Humel wants to change all that ...
Joe is no stranger to stages around Austin, where he plays drums with the likes of Dustin Welch, Kacy Crowley and Charlie Faye. Born and bred in Queens, NY, he first moved down Southwest in 2002 and toured with Danni Leigh for three years, including relocating to Spain and touching down again in NYC. Then he returned to Austin in April 2007, still drumming, though he's also produced an EP for Jamie Thomas.
Fast forward to the beginning of 2009 and Joe found himself broke with no big payday gigs lined up. And he also found himself increasingly wanting of decent bagels, having eaten plenty growing up. In fact, despite having no culinary experience, he'd already begun to research how to make them to an authentic recipe for himself. Then he made a test batch and offered them to friends who gave the thumbs up. Then to a local cafe, who wanted to buy some. And so Joe realized he had a hit on his hands.
It was then that inspiration struck and Joe looked to monetize his new art, as the music suits might say. With a small loan, he started Rockstar Bagels and has been at it working every day, with more research and experimentation, finally settling on a pretty traditional recipe.
It's still early days and the heavy workload means he is not playing the drums so much, but Joe is looking to expand the distribution so that Austinites are no longer bagel-deprived, and he also plans to get back to the music.
Rockstar Bagels is selling to local outlets and also direct to consumers.
Great to hear about your new endeavor, Joe. Congrats and best of luck. No doubt I will see you on Throwdown with Bobby Flay! ~John
Posted by: John D | April 27, 2009 at 08:23 PM