Rob Thomas Talks Moving Labels After 30 Years on Atlantic: ‘Universal Saved the Day'
'It says a lot when I think I'm the person that's been at Atlantic longer than anybody else in the building,' Thomas tells Billboard via Zoom. 'As we got this record together I was literally having a conversation with the guys at Atlantic Records. We had the team on a Zoom and we're talking about the marketing, we're talking about the single, 'This is gonna be this' and 'this is gonna be this.' Then three days later I got an email…that basically came with an ultimatum for this record: 'We'd like to restructure your deal. We'd like to do this or this or this.' I said, 'I don't want to do that,' and they said, 'Well, how about if we just give you your record? It's yours, and we can walk away free and clear.' I was pleased; I was only bummed that it didn't happen sooner.
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'Luckily, as soon as the ink was dry on the docu-sign, I told Monte Lipman over at Universal, and literally in a minute I got a text back that said, 'Welcome to Republic,' and that started my new life on Universal Records.'
Thomas has no hard feelings towards Atlantic, where he released five solo studio albums and another six with Matchbox Twenty. And he's relieved about the lack of drama in securing a new deal. 'It was a very short period of worry — worry's not even a good word,' says Thomas. 'I'm one of the only artists I know who after 30 years has been on the same label and hadn't made a move to something independent or a different label. (All Night Days) was very important to me. I knew I had made something that was special, something I think my fans are really, really gonna love, so you want to make sure this is gonna have a chance to be heard. That's where Universal came in with a f–kin' cape and saved the day.'
Thomas has been working on All Night Days, co-produced by Gregg Wattenberg and Grant Michaels, since during Covid. He had intended to put it out during the early 2020s as the follow-up to 2019's Chip Tooth Smile (and 2021's Something About Christmas Time). But as Matchbox Twenty's planned tour continued to be postponed, the group decided to make its first new album in 11 years, 2023's Wattenberg-produced Where the Light Goes.
'On that record there's maybe three songs that would've been on the solo record, and then two or three songs that didn't make the Matchbox record that moved their way over to (All Night Days),' Thomas says. Matchbox Twenty's other members, in fact, appear on the solo album track 'I Believe It,' which drummer Paul Doucette didn't want to include on the band album. 'I had a long time to curate this record; someone asked me the inception date for 'Hard to Be Happy' and I looked at it and it was 2020. It was five years ago I had started writing that song. I had more time to sit with those songs and write better songs and go, 'Let's replace that with this.' I think it became a better record for it.'
Thomas wrote 'Hard to Be Happy' with Todd Clark and Derek Fuhrmann and says it was 'born out of a joke' during a Covid Zoom session. 'We'd all been writing a bunch of depressing sh-t, and we were just like, 'It's hard to write a happy song. It's hard to be happy,'' he says. 'So we started with that line, 'It's hard to be happy,' and we wrote, I think, what's musically one of the happiest sounding songs I've written, ever. It's very positive, very fun. I think there's elements of Harry Nilsson and 'lime in the coconut' going on, some weird Caribbean vibe that mixes with a little George Michael 'Freedom' and a little David Bowie 'Young Americans.' All that was in there.'
Thomas collaborated on the B-side, 'Thrill Me,' with Tim Lopez from Plain White T's. 'It's a love song that couldn't have been written by somebody not my age,' Thomas explains. 'This is a song you play at your recommitment ceremony after 30 years of marriage. It's a song about how after all this time the other person still excites you and still thrills you.'
Thomas expects to release other singles before All Night Days' release. (The title came from a conversation with a friend in which Thomas said, 'I think my all-night days are over.') He'll be previewing songs during his All Night Days Tour, which begins Aug. 1 in Atlanta. 'I haven't gone out solo since 2019,' he notes. 'It's been a long time since I've gotten to have a lot of fun with all these other songs here in solo world. And it's the 20th anniversary of the first solo record, so it seems this is a perfect time to go out.' The touring band, which also played on most of All Night Days, will include Thomas' son Maison Eudy on guitar
'It's a weird thing to think it's been 30 years with (Matchbox), 20 years solo,' says Thomas, who anticipates some special performances with the band for next year's anniversary, followed by a full-scale tour during 2027. 'Everything about it feels simultaneously like it's happened forever and it just started a couple days ago. Every now and then it just pops up on you; there's certain hard truths when we look in the mirror, or that our knees are telling us at certain times. But otherwise, creatively, you just feel like there's gonna be something really great around the bend if I just keep working at it. There's gonna be something around the corner that's gonna be great.'
The track list for All Night Days includes:
Hand In My Hand
All Night Days
Hard To Be Happy
I Believe It
Thrill Me
Picture Perfect
Machine
No Good At Loving You
Ghost
Losing My Mind
Back To The Start
Thomas' All Night Days Tour dates include:Aug 1- Atlanta, GA – Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain ParkAug 2 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily's PlaceAug 3 – Boca Raton, FL – Mizner Park AmphitheaterAug 5 – Nashville, TN – Ascend AmphitheaterAug 6 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat AmphitheaterAug 8 – Richmond, VA – Allianz Amphitheater at RiverfrontAug 9 – Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at the MannAug 10 – Washington, DC – The Theater at MGM National HarborAug 12 – New York, NY – Rooftop Pier 17Aug 13 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts CenterAug 15 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank PavilionAug 16 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare AmphitheaterAug 18 – Dayton, OH – Rose Music Center @ The HeightsAug 20 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly IslandAug 22 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State ParkAug 23 – Cincinnati, OH – PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music CenterAug 24 – Detroit, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom HillAug 26 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino AmphitheaterAug 27 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight TheatreAug 29 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music FactoryAug 30 – Houston, TX – Smart Financial Centre at Sugar LandSept 2 – Denver, CO – Bellco TheatreSept 4 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial TheatreSept 5 – Las Vegas, NV – FontainebleauSept 6 – Los Angeles, CA – YouTube TheaterOct 24 – Perth, AU – PCEC Riverside TheatreOct 25 – Perth, AU – PCEC Riverside TheatreOct 27 – Adelaide, AU – AEC TheatreOct 29 – Melbourne, AU – ForumOct 30 – Melbourne, AU – ForumNov 3 – Sydney, AU – Enmore TheatreNov 4 – Sydney, AU – Enmore TheatreNov 8 – Brisbane, AU – Sandstone PointNov 11 – Auckland, AU – KTK TheatreNov 13 – Christchurch, NZ – Te PaeNov 15 – Wellington, NZ – Michael Fowler Centre
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- Travel + Leisure
This Small Beach Town Was Just Named the Best in the U.S.—and It's Only 90 Minutes From NYC
The annual, two-day music, surf, art festival held each September. The Sunday night Boardwalk Boogie with DJ Foggy Notion at Low Dive. Low Dive, but specifically Sunday nights for Boardwalk Boogie with DJ Drinks at Harry's, the new bar at the St. Laurent Social Club helmed by cocktail maestro Ricardo Rodriguez, formerly of Miami's Broken Shaker. The striking beaux arts Carousel Building on the boardwalk now houses many of the Wooden Walls Project works. The loft suites at the Asbury Ocean Club have 11-foot ceilings and landscaped dune grass terraces or ocean-view balconies. I grew up on the Jersey Shore, about 10 miles south (or four parkway exits) from Asbury Park. During my youth, in the '80s and '90s, it was still mostly known as the stomping grounds of Bruce Springsteen, whose 1973 album, "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.," put the town on the global music map. Celebrated rock photographer and New Jersey native Danny Clinch photographed Springsteen and many other notable musicians on the then deserted Asbury Park boardwalk. 'Back then bands wanted a gritty album cover with some vibe but they didn't want a city record,' he says. 'Asbury is a block from the beach and you can't get more vibey. We'd say it was the type of town where you wouldn't stop at a red light, you just slow down.' The town's rebellious spirit and dreamy beach backdrop attracted a who's who in music, from Duke Ellington in the 1920s to Led Zeppelin, who skipped Woodstock in 1969 to play the Asbury Park Convention Hall. For years, only die-hard music fans made the trip to Asbury Park in hopes of scoring tickets to shows at legendary venues like the Stone Pony and now-shuttered Saint. A string of setbacks, including economic dips, race riots, and Superstorm Sandy, made it feel like music was the shore town's only future. But in the early aughts, the LGBTQ+ community invested heavily in the town, restoring its Victorian colonial homes. 'Their investments in real estate and business start ups helped fuel the rebirth which we see exploding today,' says Deb Masco, an employee at the Asbury Ocean Club hotel. The historic boardwalk has been completely reimagined and rivals the coolest street in Brooklyn. 'The diversity is incredible,' says Clinch. 'You can walk down the boardwalk and see gay, straight, black, white, tattooed, conservative, you name it, types of people,' he says. The diverse community has fostered creativity that extends beyond music, to the arts, food, and design scenes. 'There's a raw, creative energy that's hard to describe unless you've spent time here,' says Shauna Lagala, complex hotel manager at the Asbury Collection. 'It's weird in the best way—a mix of old-school Jersey, artists, punks, surfers, and people who just don't want to live anywhere typical. It's the kind of town where you can grab a cold brew at a café run by someone in a band, then walk five minutes and end up in a tattoo shop or an art gallery.' With Netflix establishing a major production hub nearby, Asbury's popularity and entertainment cred is only likely to rise. I know I still find myself flying back each fall to attend Clinch's Festival, a gathering of top musicians who also have connections to surf culture and art. The 2025 festival sold out months in advance, so plan ahead. The exterior of the iconic Stone Pony. Alessandra Amodio/Travel + Leisure Asbury Park delivers both big city culture and small beach town charm. In recent years, the revitalized Shore town has seen a surge of boutique accommodations, indie shops, art galleries, and fantastic restaurants debut along the boardwalk and downtown. Some of the biggest names in music and surf descended here for the annual festival, held each September, and it's not uncommon to have an award-winning musician perform an impromptu jam session in one of the town's iconic music venues or even a local watering hole. Panoramic ocean views from the pool deck, and a common space at the Asbury Ocean Club Hotel. Alessandra Amodio/Travel + Leisure Locals credit the 2016 opening of the Asbury Hotel with kicking off the shore town's recent wave of tourism. Co-owner David Bowd, of SALT Hotels, masterminded the transformation of a 1950s red brick Salvation Army building located a block and a half from the beach into a retro cool space that draws just as many locals as visitors with its calendar of live music performances in the lobby, rooftop movie nights, and seasonal pool parties. The 100 rooms range from standard doubles to suites and group-friendly bunks for up to eight. The Asbury's sleek 54-key sister hotel opened in 2019 and wouldn't feel out of place in South Beach with its rooftop pool and wellness offerings including a spa, gym, and meditation terrace. The vibe is quiet luxury and a bit dressed up. 'It's the kind of place you go when you want to feel a little bougie, but still be in Asbury,' says Lagala. In 2002, the adults-only St. Laurent Social Club infused new life into a hotel that dated to the 1880s. Each of the 20 minimalist-modern rooms is decorated with a custom surfboard by local artist Lana Macchiaverna and comes with complimentary beach passes and access to the backyard pool. Judy, the hotel's new restaurant from Top Chef alum David Viana, serves Italian dishes with a Jewish twist. Beachgoer enjoying the day at the Asbury Park Beach. Alessandra Amodio/Travel + Leisure 'It's hard to beat our beaches,' says Clinch. 'I'd put them up against any in the country.' The combination of boardwalk patio bars and dining venues, lifeguarded waves, and wide swaths of sand make the mile-long Asbury Park Beach one of the most popular on the Shore during the summer. Arrive early to stake out a spot and remember you need to buy a beach badge (from $7 to $10) between Memorial and Labor Day. Home to the country's oldest saltwater fishing club, Asbury is a mecca for anglers. 'I caught a 500 pound tuna off the beach here,' says Clinch. Throughout summer, the area between the jetties on Deal Lake Drive and Eighth Avenue is designated for surfing. Sign up for a lesson with Summertime Surf. 'Fall is best for great waves,' says Scott Szegeski, a local artist and surfer. 'The crowds thin and the entire beach is open for surfing.' The boardwalk has been luring vacationers since the 19th century. Travel back in time playing old-school pinball, '80s video games, Skee Ball, and more at the Silverball Retro Arcade, then get your fortune read at Madame Marie's Temple of Knowledge. The tiny blue booth has been in business since 1932 and is now run by Marie's granddaughter. Amusement rides have long disappeared, but that's part of the appeal, according to Viana. 'Most Shore boardwalks feel kid- and family-focused, but the lack of rides draws an older crowd and there are great options for dining and shopping,' he says. Don't miss new oceanfront venues like AP Rooftop, Mutiny Beach, and Palmetto Southern Kitchen + Bar from Jersey native and Hell's Kitchen star James Avery. Music pulses through Asbury Park. You can catch a live show nearly anywhere, from the local bookstore to the beach. Music fans make pilgrimages to the Stone Pony, the legendary venue that launched the careers of Bruce Springsteen and Southside Johnny. 'The Stone Pony opens its backyard right off the beach for Summer Stage and they get great acts, like the Head and the Heart,' says Bob McLynn, co-founder of Asbury Park Brewery and Crush Management, which represents bands like Green Day. Wonder Bar and the revamped Asbury Lanes, a bowling alley and music venue, are other classics that bring in big acts. Murals along the walls of the historic Asbury Park Carousel. Alessandra Amodio/Travel + Leisure Asbury Park's art scene has become as dynamic as its music culture. 'When the city was just coming up Jenn [Hampton] raised money to fund artists to paint over dilapidated warehouses around town that just looked crappy,' recalls Clinch. Her efforts led to the Wooden Walls Project, a public art nonprofit responsible for the collection of permanent murals—many by internationally recognized artists—decorating the once empty walls along the boardwalk. Cookman Avenue has become home to town's top galleries, including Hampton's Parlor Gallery, which showcases work from emerging and established talents, along with Art629 and Whitepoint. Hand blown glass beach decorations from Hot Sand. Alessandra Amodio/Travel + Leisure When the town's beloved indie bookstore, Words!, was on the brink of closure in 2020, the local community created a cooperative to keep the business alive. The nonprofit is run by about 50 volunteers and hosts free concerts, author events, and a queer book club. 'There is a real sense of community there,' says Lagala. 'It's one of those places where you end up making friends just browsing.' Co-founder Phil Browne is locally known as the 'Surfboard Man.' His shop stocks 20 to 30 handmade boards, along with wetsuits and responsibly sourced, coastal-inspired apparel and accessories. Glide Surf Co. is the only spot on the East Coast that carries boards made by acclaimed shaper Ryan Lovelace. Mike Pimco, former frontman of punk pop band Kid with Man Head and co-founder of Asbury Park Brewery, runs this clothing and accessories boutique at the south end of the boardwalk. The store frequently hosts DJ performances and fashion shows. Grammy-nominated photographer Danny Clinch displays and sells his prints of rock n' roll icons including the Boss (aka Bruce Springsteen), Eddie Vedder, and Debbie Harry at this gallery space that frequently doubles as a music venue. The tomato carpaccio, caviar cake, summertide refresher, tutu, and fire and rain cocktails from Homesick. Alessandra Amodio/Travel + Leisure The team behind sustainably sourced seafood shop Local 130 recently opened this intimate oyster bar on the boardwalk inside Convention Hall. In addition to a rotating selection of east and west coast oysters, the menu features fish sammys and Jersey-caught crudos. Viana ranks their dayboat scallops brought in from the nearby shore towns of Point Pleasant and Barnegat Light as some of the 'best in the world.' Husband and wife Steve and Shanti Mignogna's backyard pizza oven inspired this Asbury Park institution known for its sourdough crust pies and vegan-friendly menu. 'They pioneered a culture for whimsical food that prioritized ingredients and taste and they still do it really well,' says Viana. Asbury Park Brewery opened in an old warehouse in 2016 and instantly earned a cult following with beer nerds and touring bands. Last May the brewery debuted shiny new downtown digs inspired by Japanese listening bars. A wall of 8,000 vinyl records frames 12 taps that pour both seasonal (Watermelon Summer) and signature beers (Sea Dragon IPA) and a mural by local artist Porkshop pays homage to the town's musical roots. Live bands play here regularly, so check their online events calendar. 'This is the quintessential Jersey diner,' says Viana, noting the thick, laminated menu, formica-topped booths, bottomless black coffee, and cash-only policy. When the late Anthony Bourdain visited Frank's, he ordered the No. 4 sub (salami, ham, capicola, pepperoni, provolone, and hot peppers). Viana prefers breakfast. 'Their corned beef hash is second to none,' he says. Szegeski sends friends for the pork roll, egg, and cheese, Jersey's unofficial state sandwich. Sunset Landing, a locally loved luncheonette housed in a historic cabin on the shores of Deal Lake at the entrance to town, was reopened last year by an alum of Asbury favorites Porta and Talulas. 'It's the new hot spot,' says Masco. 'With awesome sunset views, the deck is the place to be. Order the Big G burger and a mocktail.' Take note: The restaurant is walk-in only and BYOB. No longer a seasonal destination, Asbury Park's businesses now largely stay open year round. 'As a local, I probably shouldn't say this, but local summer is the sweet spot,' says Teresa Dantone, referring to September and early October. The senior food and beverage managers at Asbury Ocean Club notes that by then the crowds are gone, the kids are in school, the beaches are free, the humidity fades, and it's easy to nab a parking spot anywhere in town. Part of Asbury Park's appeal is its accessibility. It's about a 90-minute drive (exit 102 on the Garden State Parkway) from New York City and Philadelphia. Avoid the inevitable summer traffic and take New Jersey Transit's North Jersey Coast Line from New York City's Penn Station or Newark Liberty International Airport directly to town. At just 1.6 square miles, nearly everything is walkable or bikeable once you've arrived.
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-desert-el-centro-ca-lead-ELCENTROCAABST25-31d2b45605264d34abd8b5e6d6b04113.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
11 minutes ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Tiny Desert Town Was Just Named the Best in the U.S.—and It's Surrounded by Hot Springs, Hiking Trails, and Great Mexican Food
Top 5 Can't Miss The annual Bombay Beach Biennale, a Burning Man-esque gathering held on the receding shores of California's largest lake, draws artsy types from as far as London. Spend a day hopping between the mineral pools at Jacumba Hot Springs. Shop for vintage finds at Tiendique and Vintage & Coffee. Enjoy craft beers and live music at Mexca Brewing Co. Hike the trails of Anza-Borrego State Desert Park, the largest state park in California. The first time I visited El Centro, California, the temperature soared to a blistering 114 degrees and I watched a tumbleweed roll down the sleepy main street. I was passing through in hopes of grabbing a quick bite en route to the famed public art installations near the Salton Sea. I unexpectedly ended up spending the better part of the afternoon discovering awesome indie boutiques, stellar tacos, and a warm, creative community. Just over two hours east of San Diego and 15 miles north of the Mexican border town of Mexicali, El Centro has grit and charm. 'Five cars is considered traffic in El Centro,' jokes Mark Silva, owner of the new Gateway Gallery in nearby Ocotillo. 'The town constantly seems to be on the verge of emerging.' I think the time has come. The region's first hotels have popped up in the past year, including an Insta-worthy hot springs hotel midway between San Diego and El Centro, and a handful of makers and chefs are setting up shop in town. The annual Bombay Beach Biennale, a word-of-mouth gathering of creatives, will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year, and a shocking amount of musicians come through this remote desert area that delivers one surprise after another. Why El Centro Is the Best Desert Town in the U.S. for 2025 A resident artist at Gateway Gallery. Chelsea Loren/Travel + Leisure This desert town's gems don't jump out. You need to be looking to discover the cool vintage and vinyl stores, craft beer bars, and artisanal coffee spots. It's fresh off its first-ever restaurant week and given its proximity to the border, the Mexican food is sensational. Plus, hot springs, hiking trails, and funky public art installations are all just a drive away. Where to Stay The entrance to Jacumba Hot Springs. Chelsea Loren/Travel + Leisure Jacumba Hot Springs Opened in 2024, this hip hot springs hotel was revived by three friends and has brought fresh energy and a cool Cali crowd to the desert. It feels reminiscent of Pioneertown in California's High Desert near Joshua Tree. Mexico, the Med, and Morocco design influences can be found throughout the common areas, 18 rooms, two palatial suites, and five nearby guesthouses. Anyone can buy a pass to the pools and healing waters, and the hotel's moody saloon hosts an exciting line-up of musicians and DJs. Cambria Hotel-El Centro The Imperial Valley welcomed its first full-service hotel last November. Rooms are decorated with murals that pay homage to the area's agricultural roots, and the colorful restaurant, 1905 Bar & Grill, has already earned a loyal following with locals. 'My family loves the burger and the burrata,' says Quintero. Modern Airbnb This three-bedroom, three-bathroom Airbnb in El Centro looks like it belongs in Palm Springs with its mid-century modern architecture and palm trees swaying in the front yard. Unanimous five-star reviews rave about the attentive host (a local wildlife biologist), spacious modern rooms, and most of all the gorgeous tiled bathroom with a soaking tub and rainfall shower. Things to Do A large sculpture in the East Jesus neighborhood. Chelsea Loren/Travel + Leisure Check Out the Art Scene There's a mystical allure to the desert that attracts a wildly creative set of thinkers and artists. Architect and San Diego native Mark Silva couldn't resist the pull. His mom, an archeologist, was instrumental in opening the Imperial Valley Desert Museum (worth a stop) in Ocotillo, a town about 30 minutes east of El Centro. When he learned the Valley lacked a commercial art gallery, he opened the Gateway Gallery in Ocotillo. The grand opening last February drew 250 art enthusiasts and featured the works of around 10 artists. 'I really wanted to do something that inspired and gave back to the community,' says Silva, who hosts three exhibitions a year. 'There's even a covered patio I named the Friendship Patio that I turned into a concert venue. Locals can bring chairs and coolers.' Less than an hour north of El Centro is California's largest lake, the Salton Sea. Its shores have become a pilgrimage spot for art lovers who come to see quirky landmarks like Salvation Mountain, a 50-foot-tall, hand-built folk art installation, and East Jesus, a 30-acre sustainable sculpture garden with works crafted from bicycles, plastic bags, and other discarded items. Next year marks the 10th anniversary of the Bombay Beach Biennale, a mutli-day festival of art installations, concerts, film screenings, dance performances, community dinners, and more. Dates are only spread by word of mouth, which adds to the intrigue. Hit the Hot Springs 'Jacumba has transformed the region with its events,' says Quintero. Spend a day lounging in a poolside cabana and soaking in three mineral-rich pools. The restaurant serves light, fresh fare like Baja ceviche and pozole and cocktails such as the Sonoran highball, mezcal mixed with grapefruit aperitif, serrano bitters, and mineral water. The first Saturday of each month, the owners host a makers market in the old bathhouse. About a half-dozen local vendors, like leather workers and ceramicists, set up pop-ups on property. The bathhouse doubles as a concert venue that hosts acts ranging from Nigerian rock to country blues. Explore the Trails Anza-Borrego State Desert Park has more than 100 miles of hiking trails. 'It's one of largest state parks in the lower 48 and the most biodiverse park in California,' says Jeff Osborne, co-owner of Jacumba Hot Springs. 'More rare species only exist there than anywhere else and it's one of the quietest places I've ever been.' Popular routes include the Slot Canyon hike and the 2.8-mile Palm Canyon Loop which winds through the third-largest palm oasis in California. Leave early and bring plenty of water. Where to Shop Racks of clothing at Tiendique. Tiendique Tiendique This vintage boutique in the heart of town wouldn't be out of place in Brooklyn. Racks are curated with styles ranging from modern denim jeans to a mint-condition 1940s hostess gown that Lucille Ball might have worn on I Love Lucy. 'People are always surprised to find someone with great style living here,' says owner Elizabeth Rodriguez. 'I love to travel and am always buying pieces for the shop.' Discordia Records The vinyl collections in the rooms at Jacumba Hot Springs were sourced from this extremely well curated record shop on El Centro's main drag. Rodriguez says she recently spotted the drummer from alt rock band Sixpence None the Richer browsing vinyls there. Simply @ Home The Imperial Valley's largest antiques store is a treasure trove of weird and wonderful finds, from retro Star Wars toys and sports jerseys to vintage Hawaiian Aloha shirts and electric guitars. Where to Eat and Drink The exterior of Humble Farmer Brewing Co. Chelsea Loren/Travel + Leisure Smashed Pitmaster Daniel Hughes recently shuttered Saltcedar BBQ in Imperial to open Smashed, an artisanal burger spot on El Centro's main drag. Imperial Valley beef is the star ingredient, and he has plans to open a small-batch distillery in the same space. Mexca Brew Co. 'Mexca feels like a punk rock dive bar,' says Melissa Strukel, co-founder of Jacumba Hot Springs. Slightly tucked away on the town's main drag, Mexca (pronounced mesh-ka) brings in an eclectic mix of local and international bands ranging in genre from country cowpunk to garage rock. Owner and El Centro local Ernie Quintero serves craft beers from his brewery in neighboring Imperial, but his best seller is his Jamaica Fuerte, a hard hibiscus tea served like an agua fresca. D'Poly Taco Grill and Beer Silva makes a point to detour to this humble Mexican restaurant located in an unassuming shopping plaza in El Centro for the made-from-scratch chimichangas and addictive carne asada fries. They also have a great happy hour and creative drinks, like tamarindo mezcalitas and jalapeño margaritas. Humble Farmer Brewery This community-focused brewery and taproom in neighboring Imperial is known for its live music, trivia nights, and farm-to-tap craft beers. 'The 80 Acre Carrot Ale sounds weird but it's award winning,' says Rodriguez. They also serve really tasty pub food, she says. Local favorites include the corn dog bites and buffalo chicken sandwich. Vintage & Coffee Levi's, Lees, and lattes are the specialty at this newly opened vintage shop and coffee bar on Main Street. Browse vintage barware, classic watches, and racks of pre-loved denim as you sip artisanal coffee drinks. The Best Times to Visit Right: Outdoor patio at Jacumba Hot Springs; Left: A sculpture in East Jesus. Chelsea Loren/Travel + Leisure Summer temperatures in El Centro and the surrounding Imperial Valley consistently exceed 100 degrees. 'Locals joke we hibernate in summer,' says Rodriguez. Jacumba is only 45 minutes west, but it has a unique ecosystem and is typically 10 to 15 degrees cooler. Spring and fall offer more tolerable temps and events like the Bombay Beach Biennale, which takes place in spring, and the annual Brawley Cattle Call Rodeo, held each November. How to Get There A painted car at Salvation Mountain. Chelsea Loren/Travel + Leisure An easy trip from San Diego, El Centro is just under a two-hour straight-shot east on Interstate 8 from the airport and Jacumba is a nice midway stop just over an hour into the drive. Part of the appeal of El Centro is the surrounding desert trails and attractions so you'll want a car to explore.
Forbes
13 minutes ago
- Forbes
Aaliyah Charts Her First New Top 10 Hit In More Than 20 Years
It's been almost a quarter-century since Aaliyah passed away tragically at the age of 22 in an airplane crash. The R&B singer rose to prominence before the new millennium, and her career was seemingly just getting started when she passed away. Decades after her loss, Aaliyah's legacy remains a powerful one, and her estate has carefully doled out a handful of posthumous tracks in the past few years – tunes which have become clear successes on a handful of Billboard's genre-specific lists. This frame, the late superstar even manages to score a new proper smash, her first in many years. 'Gone' Rises Into the Top 10 R&B musician Tank joined Aaliyah on'Gone,' which dropped in May, and the tune reached a number of radio rosters in America upon its promotion. This week, the two genre favorites push 'Gone' from No. 11 to No. 7 on the Adult R&B Airplay chart, and the track cracks the top 10 for the first time on the list of the most successful songs on R&B stations across the United States that cater to a more mature audience. Aaliyah's Fourth Top 10 Smash As 'Gone' ascends, Aaliyah claims her fourth top 10 hit on the Adult R&B Airplay chart, and her second posthumous win. The new collaboration joins 'At Your Best (You Are Love),' 'Back & Forth,' and 'I Care 4 U,' which peaked at Nos. 4, 6, and 8, respectively. Two Decades Since Aaliyah's Last New Top 10 It's been more than 20 years since Aaliyah scored a new top 10 on the Adult R&B Airplay ranking. 'I Care 4 U' reached the highest tier in late 2002, more than a year after her death. Both 'At Your Best (You Are Love)' and 'Back & Forth' found their way into the uppermost region more than 30 years ago in 1994. Tank's Sixteenth Top 10 Hit Tank has now scored four times as many top 10s on the Adult R&B Airplay chart as his collaboration partner. That roundup includes nine No. 1s out of the 27 tracks he's pushed to the roster throughout his lengthy career. 'Gone' Holds on one Billboard Chart and Climbs on Another As 'Gone' hits the top 10 on the Adult R&B Airplay list, the duet holds on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. 'Gone' is steady at No. 28, which remains its best showing on the similarly-composed radio tally. Aaliyah's Posthumous Album Unstoppable 'Gone' is the second single taken from Aaliyah's upcoming posthumous album, which is reportedly titled Unstoppable. There have been many delays that have kept the set from the public, and neither tune pushed from the project has performed very well. In 2021, 'Poison,' which also credits The Weeknd, was also unleashed, but it too failed to make much of a commercial impact in the U.S.
