Kid From Decatur + The Beautiful People
An April 2021 Coffee Release by Tio Fallen
Co-owner of Three Keys Coffee & DiGiTiTiON Roasting Champion 2020
This project represents a personal yet familial journey of spirituality, energy, love, and inspiration.
“Kid from Decatur” (click this link to go to the curated Spotify tracklist) is the story of me, Tio Fallen, the roaster born and in raised in Decatur, GA, on the East Side of Atlanta. Some may know that the greatest influence on my life to date has been my grandfather, a southern Pentecostal pastor who introduced me to my first sip of coffee, placed a trumpet in my hands for the first time, and always pushed me to do better and be better in everything I committed myself to. But many may not know that I wasn’t the only grandchild or person strongly influenced by Elder Paul Grant.
“The Beautiful People” (click this link to go to the curated Spotify tracklist) is inspired by the singer and songwriter RAHBI who is my first cousin, friend and just one of many examples of the creative energy that was nurtured and bloomed within our family, and by my grandfather. RAHBI has inspired me since we were kids when I would sing backup to him in the church choir. But he continues to inspire me with his fearless spirit, infectious energy and provocative enthusiasm. I admire his messages of love, self-confidence and finding the beauty from within.
An image of RAHBI
So for this spotlight, I wanted to connect our origin stories in the Church and explore the complexities of spiritual foundations transposed against the secular and material culture seen growing up in Atlanta. Those two co-existed and mutually shaped me. The values and sense of love and encouragement shaped by one side fueled the drive and sense grind and ambition shaped by the other.
Drawing from the double-album of Atlanta’s own Outkast, “SpeakerBoxxx/The Love Below”, my “Kid from Decatur/The Beautiful People” project comes with an accompanying double-playlist via Spotify, curated by myself and Rahbi respectively, representing the personal soundtracks of both of our journeys. They are divergent at times with KFD representing more of a nostalgic story of perseverance and motivation and TBP representing the freedom of expression. But they converge around the themes of love, spirituality, and energy which have characterized both of our passions—his in creating music and mine in creating coffee.
This Catimor Natural sourced from Finca Un Regalo de Dios which translates to “A Gift of God.”
The name hearkens back to my theme of spiritual exploration and communicates the reverence that farmer Luis Alberto Balladarez has for his crop and the blessings it has provided him. I’ve had the opportunity to visit Nicaragua and was in awe of its amazing beauty. The terroir is predicated on mineral rich volcanic soils, lush forests, fresh lakes and tropical micro-climates that allow for complexity of flavor in its coffees. Some volcanoes in Nicaragua are still active and I one of my fond memories was that I hiked up to a volcano summit, taking in the smell of sulfur emanating from geothermal energy below. I’d like to think that same geothermal energy manifests itself the coffee.
Coffee to me is about connection and when this project came about, I felt it was the perfect opportunity to use this spotlight not only to give a window into me as person and roaster but also into the key people who have influenced me. Truth be told, I hate to be the center of attention and I’m not a big fan of standing in a spotlight. But I am thankful for it and thankful for the opportunity to reflect my story through coffee.
From the hands that cultivate the coffee, to the community of baristas and consumers, this “Kid from Decatur” wants to connect “The Beautiful People” along the chain in a fun and energetic way.
So let’s share and celebrate that connection. And damnit have fun, smile and own the day. ☺
Tio Fallen (he/him)
Tio is co-owner of Three Keys Coffee in Houston, Texas with his wife Kenzel, and the first-ever Glitter Cat DiGiTiTiON Roasting Champion!