Fresh off the release of her band’s second single, Katie Ortiz shares her favorite bar, bodega, breakfast and more
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Described as “your depressive episode personified, sweet and sour and wrapped in a dirty-bubblegum aesthetic,” Debbie Dopamine is the new songwriting project of artist Katie Ortiz (also of the band Batsbatsbats Ghostghostghost and one of the not-actually-elderly bookers behind Booked by Grandma), featuring bassist Dylan LaPointe on bass and Zach Rescignano on drums.
Following the release of the trio’s second single “Get Better” and the music video for “Eat Cake” (filmed at BK venue Purgatory) and ahead of the release of the forthcoming EP Pets (out later this month), we asked Katie to share her favorite spots in Brooklyn—and beyond.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE…
VENUE:
I love TV Eye (you just can’t beat the dramatic potential of a curtain reveal) and Purgatory (which is probably not a surprise, since we shot our video there. I just love the energy of the space).
BAR:
I like activities, so Wonderville for arcade games and Milo’s Yard for pinball. I got locked out of my apartment in the freezing rain one time and spent, like, 30 bucks in quarters waiting for Zach to get home.
BODEGA:
Al-Yemeni on Woodward and Gates. They have an impressive selection of baklava and different kinds of dates, plus all these crazy foreign chip flavors.
PIZZA SPOT:
I know it’s nothing new, but the Two Boots “V for Vegan” remains one of the best vegan slices I’ve found. Paulie Gee’s vegan slice is a close second.
COFFEE SHOP:
Technically it’s in Ridgewood, but Cute Cat Cafe is my favorite spot to work and read at! They take care of their neighborhood strays, so there are frequent feline visitors. There are usually bags of treats on hand inside to bribe them into loving you.
SUBWAY STOP:
Prospect Park station. I love that it’s outside, and in the rain it looks like something straight out of a Studio Ghibli movie.
BREAKFAST:
Knickerbocker Bagel. Tofu scallion cream cheese on a pumpernickel everything with tomato. The after-breath is not for the faint of heart, but it’s worth every savory bite.
PARK:
Does Fort Tilden count? If not, Forest Park is huge and insanely pretty. There are full-on hiking trails that feel a million miles away from the city.
RESTAURANT:
Sushi Noodles is my go-to, but I also love While In Kathmandu for something unrelentingly spicy.
RECORD STORE:
Deep Cuts!! I’ve been crushing on a Britney Spears record there for weeks now.
HANGOVER CURE:
Coconut water, kombucha, crying in the shower, and drunken noodles. In no particular order.
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Follow Debbie Dopamine at @debbiedopamine, buy music on Bandcamp and add songs to your Spotify playlists!
Feature image provided by the artist.