Selecting a Music System for Your Restaurant

In the song "L.A. Woman," did you ever wonder to whom Jim Morrison, the late lyricist and lead singer of The Doors was referring, when he sang "Mr. Mojo Risin', Mr. Mojo Risin'"? Many of us from the baby boomer generation remember the tune well, even if we didn't know the identity of Mr. Mojo Risin'.

The music style of The Doors and other bands that originated in the '60s and '70s may not appeal to everyone, yet it certainly inspires a certain mood in the listener, providing a familiar comfort zone to an audience that shares similar affinities. Music, regardless of style, has that special means of creating ambience and setting the mood. It is for this reason that restaurateurs should carefully consider the music played in their establishment.

As with the music of the legendary Doors, it is not so much the lyrics that we appreciate as it is the melodic sound, mood and tempo of the music. After all, who among us knew that "Mr. Mojo Risin'" is simply the result of rearranging the letters of the lyricist's name (J-I-M-M-O-R-R-I-S-O-N = M-R-M-O-J-O-R-I-S-I-N)? Though some may relish uncovering the hidden meaning in a song, diners simply want the music to match the dining experience.

The ambience (environment, mood, vibes, setting and atmosphere) of a restaurant is a critical component of the dining experience. Planning the décor, lighting and sound for your startup is both challenging and fun. The challenge is to create an environment that complements the food and service. In this article we'll focus on how sound quality and music selection affect the ambience.