Hi, we’re now living in Echo Park, which is really close to Downtown Los Angeles or DTLA.
This area is home of Dodger Stadium and as the team plays six out of seven days nearly every week, you see people decked out from head to toe in Dodgers gear. It’s also a super-diverse neighbourhood with many different cultures and age groups. It’s also the new hipster scene in the city with secondhand clothing stores, vegan and organic cafes and lots of clubs and bars.
First job was to find a rehearsal studio; as Echo Park is full of musos it was convenient to find a rehearsal studio just around the corner from our place. We lugged our instruments on foot, practiced for a few hours and caught an Uber cab home.
The same night we caught an Uber to a gig in DTLA because we are yet to rent a long-term rental car. This is not ideal, especially when Uber drivers with huge SUVs refuse to take drum kits because it might damage the carpet in the boot!
Anyway, the gig was at a bar called the Lexington and it was meet with a reception and we actually sold some CDs! In between gigs it has been sightseeing whether in Hollywood, Echo Park or DTLA. We went to the Grammy Museum for some inspiration – saw some of Tupac’s poems and rough drafts of raps, had dinner at a Hollywood’s best Thai restaurant in Thai town – where many stars hang out; after three years as LA/ Brisbane band pen pals, we finally saw our first PapaFish gig.
PapaFishPapaFish guitarist and manager Greg was also responsible for booking our weekend gigs – our first trip to the Valley in Tarzana at Maui Sugarmill Saloon (Dave Grohl’s local) and Trip in cruisy, beachside Santa Monica.
Finally, Monday 8 June was our big gig at the Whisky A Go Go! Famous for being the launching pad of many LA bands like The Doors, Guns N' Roses, System Of a Down, we were hitting the stage as one of the supports for Hugh Cornwell, formerly of The Stranglers.
Leilani and I were extra stoked to be playing with Hugh as we are Stranglers fans and he played great on the night. Our set was fun – being on a bigger stage and playing to a very enthusiastic crowd to a bill which featured bands from Japan, Texas, Britain and of course – Australia! Cheers until next time!
Read part one of Alla Spina's tour diary.
