What’s In Your Fridge is where the Straight asks interesting Vancouverites about their life-changing concerts, favourite albums, and, most importantly, what’s sitting beside the Heinz ketchup in their custom-made Big Chill Retropolitan 20.6-cubic-foot refrigerators.

On the grill

Matt Kohlen

Who are you

I’ve bartended, unsuccessfully played golf for a living, received employee of the month at Wendy’s, been in love I think, travelled far and wide, and maintained most of my sanity. I currently own a brewery with my buddy Adam and the bank. Day to day I do all of the visual stuff for Superflux…so labels, merchandise and other pretty things.

First concert

Charlotte Diamond. Really have no idea my age at the time or where it was, however, I remember bragging to friends around town. One of her albums was always in my parents’ Sony 100 disc carousel CD player, in the slot right after Enya I believe. I’m currently listening to “I Am A Pizza” on Spotify. Totally forgot half of this song is in French—what a trip.

Life-changing concert

Lilith Fair in 1999. My childhood friend, Paul, and I took a 12-hour Greyhound bus from Salmon Arm to Vancouver. I remember it being super hot and just packed with people. We were there for Sheryl Crow I think. Maybe Sarah McLachlan. Who knows. We took a certain psilocin ester upon arrival, which probably contributed to my foggy memory. It also made this outing one of the highlights of my youth and sparked my interest for music, art and creativity.

Top three records

I’ve secretly been wanting someone to ask me this for a long time. So thanks. Every so often I’ll re-evaluate my list and make the necessary adjustments.

Tool Ænima  This has always been at the top for me. Just an honest, raw, sweeping, heavy, melodic, precise, emotional display of music and art. It’s still growing on me and, more often than not, I’ll hear something I hadn’t previously picked up on. I listen to this album in its entirety at least once a week….ongoing since the early 2000’s.

Opeth Ghost Reveries  Such a cool and unique album. Kind of a blend between folk and black metal. Songs are punchy, long and dramatic with soulful melodies and punishing riffs and screams. Same as Ænima, this album is still growing on me.

David Gray White Ladder  Obviously on the other side of the spectrum sonically. This album does a great job of blending electronic samples with acoustic instruments. His voice is also really unique—somehow inspiring yet mournful. And he recorded the entire thing in his apartment I believe. I was also in love at the time and would put this on repeat during monthly road trips from Southern California to B.C. and back. An emotional period. I never cried. I don’t cry.

All-time favourite video

Phil Collins “In The Air Tonight” I vividly remember sitting in the backseat of our family Astro van sometime in the early ’90s. I had just been gifted a Sony “Sports” Walkman—the yellow one. Remember? First cassette was Phil Collins. Couldn’t even tell you the album name. But the opening track is “In The Air Tonight” and I don’t think I ever made it past that first song. Play. Rewind. Play. Rewind. Play. I did end up with the VHS of this video somehow, a staple in our household. It’s long gone now but I’ll binge watch on YouTube from time to time.

What’s in your fridge

Smirnoff Ice. No, I didn’t get “iced”. Yes I enjoy the flavour. Refreshing citrus taste is what it says on the package, I concur. They actually make 1L bottles now so you can share with your friends if you want I guess.

Arugula. Sunrise market has these massive bags for like $6. Maybe 10 salads worth? Toss in some fresh-made caesar dressing, Parmesan, and black pepper. My buddy Miles made me a small planter pre-seeded with a few different types of Arugula. Crazy the varying peppery/spice levels you can get. Takes a solid 20 minutes to pick enough for a full salad but worth it.

Valentinas. The regular spice-level one. I don’t handle spice very well so about 10 years ago I started having a spoonful of hot sauce daily to build some tolerance. Pretty sure my tolerance is the same today but am now addicted to Valentinas. Spoon is still my preferred delivery method, sometimes on tacos.

Superflux Brewing Company is located at 505 Clark Drive in East Vancouver. Go here for more into.