Ben Dorenfeld, Anomaly
💭 Thoughts on 1010benja, the best type of coffee & where to get it, and having unparalleled dedication to your craft.
Ben Dorenfeld is the director of music for creative agency, Anomaly, where he oversees all things music supervision, licensing, and artist partnerships across brand clients. He has worked in advertising for over 10 years and began his career in the live entertainment industry at ICM (now CAA.) He loves other people's dogs, aimlessly walking around New York, and sharing meals with friends.
🤝 Connection is inspiration
Community is top of mind for me and so that's my plug. Whether I'm connecting with a friend of 10 years, a friend of 10 months, or someone I don't know, for me, connection is inspiration. Living in New York, we're surrounded by dreamers, some who may be sleeping just feet away from us. I think that energy is such a gift. A "how are you?" has opened me up to the wonders of so many lives and it brings me great joy.
I’d have to say "H2HAVEYOU" by 1010benja is one of my favorite songs right now. I've been following 1010benja since I stumbled upon his track "Boofiness" on SoundCloud in 2017. I arrived in LA when this new single dropped and first heard it when my friend ran it as we drove around the city. It was a religious experience. A few other tracks in heavy rotation are "How many miles" by Mk.gee, "Commas" by Ayra Starr, and "Hell of A Ride" by Nourished by Time.
🛣️ "If the path before you is clear, you're probably on someone else's."
I saw someone share this recently and it deeply resonated with me. No matter how many times I've heard, "we're all on our own journeys," I manage to forget that each time I go through a period of self doubt. This quote hits different though.
🤌 Having unparalleled dedication to your craft
One person who I definitely look up to is [the founder of AdHoc] Ric! Although not directly in my industry per se, I met Ric Leichtung in my formative years in New York over 10 years ago. I spent most of my weekends at 285 Kent, where you could catch everyone from Odd Future & Trash Talk to A$AP Rocky to DJ Rashad. Unforgettable shows would leave me in a sweaty state of euphoria every time thanks in large part to Ric, who would always be there. Their dedication is unparalleled. I admire the career that they've built and the indelible impact that they've made on live entertainment and beyond.
🇲🇽 Traveling to Mexico City for the first time
I'm looking forward to going to Mexico City for a wedding in a month. I've actually never been to Mexico before and everyone has told me that I will love it so I'm very stoked. I'm also excited to celebrate the love of two dear friends of mine and be surrounded by the love of more amazing friends in attendance.
🚲 La Bicyclette in Fort Greene for a cappuccino
Morning coffee is a bit cliché but it's crucial. I like to go outside first thing. Rain or shine, it lifts my spirits and I head to my local coffee shop. I replicate this wherever I go. There's always a new walk to take, a new face to meet, and a new coffee to try.
My favorite type of coffee is a cappuccino. The care put into a good cappuccino is warming both figuratively and literally. It's like drinking a hug. I love having a laugh with the baristas at my shop, La Bicyclette in Fort Greene. They're the best! It's such a fun way to start each day.
Follow Ben on Instagram & Linkedin and check out his website here.