Since I grew up in and around L.A., I have a different appreciation for this city, outskirts and all. So when I read a post like this one, illustrating the worst of stereotypes, it's disheartening. You'd think that all L.A. has to offer are trips to Fred Segal, getting your hair done and running into celebrities (all of which I've done, mind you). If you prefer this insipid Instyle tourist version of the city, well then knock yourself out because there's plenty of it. But if you want to experience a rich culture of immigrant communities (San Gabriel, East L.A.), indie music and fashion (Downtown, Los Feliz, Hollywood) and amazing architecture (Venice, Silver Lake, Hollywood Hills), then all you have to do is drive past Brentwood and Beverly Hills, stop and look around. L.A. is more than a company town. Good, bad, beautiful, ugly, sunshine, earthquakes--I love it all.
Art Brut - "Moving to L.A." (mp3)
The Decemberists - "Los Angeles, I'm Yours" (mp3)
Rufus Wainwright - "California" (mp3)
Phantom Planet - "California 2005" (mp3)
LL Cool J - "Goin' Back to Cali" (mp3)
11:36 PM // Sunday November 20, 2005 // permalink
« The world looks like a mathematical equation which--turn it how you will--balances itself. Every secret is told, every crime is punished, every virtue rewarded, every wrong addressed, in silence and certainty.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson |
a valentine »
