Brent Rademaker would like to think that GospelbeacH’s Pacific Surf Line is a celebration of our country’s two left coasts—though maybe he would’ve preferred a bit more Old Florida charm to counter the L.A. swagger. “I really wanted to make this album sound like the kinds of music I listened to growing up in the ’70s,” says Rademaker, a native of the Gulf Coast. By and large, though, Pacific Surf Line celebrates Rademaker’s return to Southern California. For a collective ef fort, the LP is surprisingly lean, with more refined nods to the Flying Burrito Brothers twang that informed Rademaker’s former group, Beachwood Sparks. GospelbeacH—Rademaker, Neal Casal, Jason Soda, Kip Boardman and Tom Sanford—isn’t afraid to broach the breezy accessibility of yacht-rock mainstays like the Eagles and Loggins & Messina, either. The band will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our new feature on them.
Rademaker: Is it cool when your neighborhood becomes the talk of the town? Nearly four years ago when we moved into our hillside home in Highland Park, we thought we were “getting away” from things a bit. Wrong. But it’s good thing. I’ll tell you why: Highland Park, specifically York Boulevard between Ave 50 and Ave 53, has become the latest extension of the Los Angeles East Side expansion of cool. And by cool, I mean convenient, comprehensive and colorful. I’m not gonna get into the whole “gentrification” debate. “This land is your land, this land is my land” (it’s not even really “our land,” but that’s a whole other blog … respect to Native Americans).
Lets start with our kids (three chihuahuas) and their favorite shop. Rosie Bunny Bean (urban pet provisions) named after their albino chihuahua who looks more like a genetic farm animal experiment gone cutely array. Jillian and Mike are quite sentient when it comes to the needs and wants of the modern pet owner. Mexican serape blankets and leash/collar for every mood. Chicken feet, lamb rib and Himalayan yak treats that the dogs go beserk for. They know their stuff when it comes to feeding your pet right and responsibly. You’ll hear everything from Neu! to classic country cranking over the sound system. This ain’t PetSmart by any means; it’s a dream come true. More than just some hipster pet-supply store, they have a heart and an amazing assortment of provisions. We adopted our Mexican hairless/chihuahua mix Littleman from a posting on their community board. Ask for the “Pet Corrector.”
Turning the corner on York, you’ll see Town Pizza serving up slices to long lines of locals like Kyle (a.k.a. King Tuff). This place is rad! I heard it’s part owned by one of the Foo Fighters or maybe RATT. A bunch of cool local musicians work there, so that makes it extra fun to get a slice. Go next door to Scoops (super nice servers) or Donut Friend for indie desert wild flavors of ice cream and crazy indie-rock band named donut creations (Rites Of Sprinkles?). Walk a few more steps and get your threads at the most charming and rustic of shops: Honeywood Vintage. Cowboy and Southwestern vintage/new galore run by Vanessa and her man Charlie, who re-shapes old Stetsons and the like into his amazing Lone Hawk Hat creations. (Check out Charlie‘s California Kid EP.) This place is cowgirl/cowboy rock ‘n’ roll heaven—my favorite shop in the world. Right next door is another incredible vintage boutique, Possession Vintage, owned and operated by your friendly neighborhood glam-rock bassist Dan Sandvick from the band Hammered Satin. They even put on shows in the alley behind the shop!
Take a few more steps, and you’ve hit vinyl paradise: Wombleton Records. Ever wonder what became of all your ’80s import 12-inches? They are here! Ian Marshall has curated the greatest collection of rock ‘n’ roll vinyl out there. Jay walk, and you’ll find Future Music, run by Jack of ’80s Los Angeles Paisley Underground band Green On Red. A ton of used gear from quirky old stuff to vintage museum pieces and everything in between. Total swap-meet feel and totally rad! Get your coffee at Elsa’s Bakery, a charming little Guatemalan joint that has transformed from what looked to be a run-down ’50s bakery that had been abandoned to the friendly colorful breakfast, lunch and dinner joint that is our got-to coffee joint. (There’s a bunch on the street.)
You got your two newly sprouted fresh juice joints and your gastro pub and little cafes. Super-cheap dry-clean/alteration joint run by friendly folks who have been there forever. There’s a brand new children’s park and a cool little parcel (that keeps getting destroyed by the local vandal). It’s great having it all within walking distance. For a city like L.A., that’s rare. There’s more, too, I’m forgetting some joints and my fingers are tired, but come see for your self. There’s a new place popping up every month. Come down for the NELAart Second Saturday art walk, or come for a morning stroll and shop. Just don’t pop in. “I don’t like the pop-in.”
Video after the jump.
