David Patrick, Andrew Aulenbach, and Luke Reitz, three fifths of Temple’s hip-hop ensemble CHOCOLATE MILK discuss their music, dream collaborations, and who is the biggest heartthrob of the group.
Parched? Indulge in some Chocolate Milk: a band with a smooth hip-hop mix infused with a jazzy-rock kick.
Chocolate Milk has been cranking out tunes since the members were freshmen entered Temple University in 2009. The hip-hop band, which consists of lead rapper David Patrick, producer Andrew Aulenbach, drummer Justin Davis, bassist Luke Reitz, and saxophonist Curtis Arnett, released their first EP, “Drink Up Life” soon after their start. Since then, the band has been playing shows and parties all around Temple’s Campus and Philadelphia.
However, the root of the band’s beginnings came a little while ago in Harrisburg, Pa.
“Andrew, Justin, and myself started making music together in Justin’s bedroom in a home studio, and we all more or less came together in high school,” Patrick explains.
“Some time after 10th grade we recorded our first mix tape,” Aulenbach adds. The trio decided to take their music savvies to Temple, where they met Reitz and Arnett.
“I creeped on them, and went up to them and was like, ‘hey, if you’re looking for a bass player, let me know, because I’m going to be at Temple playing bass,’” Reitz says. After a few weeks of showed interest, the bassist easily became the newest member of Chocolate Milk.
But not all decisions have been that simple. Their namesake has been a subject of much debate between band members. “It’s not a bad name, but there was a funk band from the ‘70s with the same name,” Aulenbach says.
But as they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
“At least people know on Temple’s campus, like ‘oh it’s Chocolate Milk!’ People know it, so there’s no point in wrecking what we have going,” Reitz says.
Where did the name even come from to begin with?
“I was like [to Patrick], ‘Why don’t we call ourselves Chocolate Milk, because you’re black, Dave, and I’m white.’ And stupid as this sounds, it worked and it stuck for five years,” Aulenbach says.
The hip-hop band takes a lot of its inspiration from bands like The Roots, A Tribe Called Quest, and N.E.R.D. Their own individual inspirations harmoniously make up the band’s unique, eclectic sound as well.
“I’m really into Ray Charles right now,” Aulenbach says, “I’ve always been into big band sounds. I’ve been doing some production sampling and stuff like that.”
As a producer, Aulenbach would love to work with the late and great producer J Dilla. “I’d love to bring [him] back to life and just select samples for him to make a beat out of, that would probably make me incredibly happy.”
Reitz’s bass inspiration has some Philly beginnings. “I’m obsessed with The Roots, that’s like my gimmick,” he says, “that’s probably why I love going to school in Philadelphia, even though they don’t live down in Philly anymore.” Naturally, his dream collaboration would be to play bass with Questlove on drums.
Patrick, as the lyricist of the band, appreciates artists who bring innovation to the hip-hop world. “A Tribe Called Quest is one of the first bands that I connected with,” Patrick says, “[They] had something speak to me in terms of music.” The hip-hop band from Queens, New York “kick started” Patrick’s love for hip-hop and encouraged him to develop eclectic lyricism.
Even though the guys are pleased with playing various gigs throughout Philly and Temple’s campus, it’s not to say that they have bigger dreams too. Patrick would love to be a headliner at Glastonbury, while Reitz would love to play a “ huge, free show in New York or Philly.” Aulenbach, perhaps the quirkiest of the group, hopes to play at a rave in—of all places—the Czech Republic.
And his eccentricity does not limit his inhibitions.
“I get very sweaty and these guys make fun of me for taking my shirt off,” Aulenbach says in joking defense.
Which begs the question…does that make him the band’s number 1 chick magnet?
“Oh, definitely. Well, I think he’s really going for it,” Patrick says.
But Aulenbach has a different idea. “No, I think if anybody, it’s Luke! I mean, [he’s] my twin but the ladies love Luke,” he says.
Reitz modestly denies it, and it seems like all the guys get the love they deserve. “It’s been weird for me personally, I got people taking pictures with me, which is something new,” Patrick says.
With a full-length album in the works, Chocolate Milk has been hustling to get their name out in the Philly music scene, in hopes that their new material will be well received. The ensemble has not come out with new music since the release of their first EP, but they do not intend to rush the recording process. “When it’s out, it’ll be right. I guess the main thing is to not put something out there recklessly,” Patrick explains.
All to satisfy listeners with the perfect cup of Chocolate Milk.
For more information on the band, check out their Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/chocolatemilkmusic?sk=info