Pink TV

“In each episode of Hospitality Budget, we’ll take a band that’s on tour, cook them great food, make them great drinks, and take them to do something in San Diego they wouldn’t normally get the chance to do,” says production manager Peter Graves of the TV show pilot taping July 21 at Bar Pink. The program’s debut headliner, Austin pop duo Deep Time, will also be filmed performing at the North Park venue. “After entertaining them, they get to entertain us.”

According to Graves (who also plays with New Mexico and Roxy Jones), “Before they arrive to San Diego, we’ll already have plenty of correspondences, so we’ll know what they like to do, what they like to eat, or food that they miss on tour. The whole experience is tailor-made for each band.”

Graves is producing and directing the first episode, “with the help of a few talented friends. Billy Gilchriest is the main food guy, with his girlfriend Elodie Daley. He’s the head chef at Tartine in Coronado, and she’s the best pastry chef I’ve ever met. Phil Dupasquier is a genius when it comes to cocktails. The four of us have been brainstorming this idea for years. We always throw these great parties where we cook and drink with friends...afterwards, we’d say, ‘Wow, we should just film this!’”

Hospitality Budget is so far self-financed. “Our lead camera guy does a lot of skating videos and works for a major network in L.A. He’s bringing down all this pro gear from his job, so I can’t say who he is.” Graves laughs. “I don’t want to get him in trouble. Maybe he’s just, uh, borrowing the equipment for a couple days.”

Starting in September, Graves hopes to tape one half-hour episode each month. “We’re discussing different options for licensing and release, but if nothing works out, we plan to self-release [episodes] through one or more online avenues.”

As for upcoming episodes, “I think it would be really cool to do some outside San Diego, more of a traveling thing. We’re planning one next year where we’ll be recording on a houseboat. I’ve always wanted to do that.”

The July 21 event at Bar Pink will also include the Scepters, featuring players from Monsters From Mars, Jungle Fever, and Wild Weekend. Peter Graves appears with New Mexico at the Casbah on July 26.