There’s something of an epidemic afflicting record stores across Los Angeles. They are dying off at an alarming rate, and it’s really starting to bum me out. Obviously, no one really knows why, but everyone seems to have a viable reason that it can be attributed to. The catch-all being our poor economy. Others prefer to blame the fucking… er, fluxing music industry. There are those who believe that with the rise of digital technology, The Record Store is becoming a thing of the past. Personally, I like to blame the overpriced juggernaut that is Amoeba Music in Hollywood. When Amoeba arrived in 2001 at the corner of Sunset & Cahuenga, Los Angeles was dazzled with its vast selection and uber-hip staff. So dazzled, that every small shop in a 50-mile radius immediately began to feel the burn. Rhino, Aron’s, House of Records, Vinyl Fetish… all shrank or disappeared. And frankly, I miss them.
The latest casualty, however, is personally a little more sad. Not only because I play poker every Tuesday night with its proprietor. Sea Level Records in Echo Park was truly one of the last honest “Record Stores,” a place where you could chat about music, catch live bands in-store that you’ve never heard of, find records from great local acts, and generally feel like your business actually mattered. The store was always scrappy… new releases didn’t always come in on time, and yeah, the couch smelled like barf. But it was perfect and largely a reflection of its owner, a man who has become a true friend in music and in life. Mr. Todd Clifford.
Imagine throwing a party that no one comes to. Then imagine doing that every single day since November 2001. That’s why Todd is closing the store. At best, Sea Level only ever broken even. It has endured shoplifters, fist fights in the alley, and most recently, a driver come through the front window (see above). Even when the store was packed for in-store performances, business was just never consistently booming enough to sustain positive morale. So with the end of June, we say goodbye to Sea Level Records.
But! The store is going out with a bang!
This Friday at Safari Sam’s, Sea Level’s having a giant farewell gala. Featuring performances from a couple of great local bands, Division Day and The Switch, several great DJs from around the city, and lots of L.A.’s most interesting folks stopping by to bid farewell to a store we all loved. If you’re going to be in Los Angeles this Friday (6.22), you know where to go.
The Switch was founded by the tall, lanky, and talented Aaron Kyle. He’s a charismatic and entertaining frontman and a wonderful songwriter. To see this band perform over the last year is to see a band hitting its stride, and doing it in tremendous strides. It’s such a marvelous thing to watch a band’s members coalesce into a single, rocking unit with every show they play and every song they write. Check out their self-titled e.p. that came out earlier this year, available on their website.
Division Day is also a band you may have begun to hear about. They released a full-length in March called “Bear-Trap Island” on Eenie Meenie Records. The record is heavy with great pop songs swathed in moody, compelling sonics. But, as great as their record is, it almost seems subdued compared to the spring-loaded intensity these guys bring live. Definitely check them out.
Everything is on sale at Sea Level until the end of the month. Lots of great deals are still sitting on those shelves. Stop by and pick something up. And remember to support your independent local music stores/bands/venues/etc. You just don’t realize what you’ve got until it’s gone.
Adios Sea Level.
Sea Level Records
1716 W. Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
213.989.0146.
Safari Sam’s
5214 W. Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90027
323.666.7267
New Releases 6.19.07: Lots of good stuff! I’m most excited about Maserati, but there’s something for everyone this Tuesday. On the electronic side: Boom Bip, Maps, and Tied & Tickled Trio. Also new stuff from Jennifer Gentle, Straylight Run, local band The Silver Daggers, and one more of Mike Patton’s 3,000 side projects Tomahawk. Oh, and for all you George Thoroughgood fans… there’s a new White Stripes album out on Tuesday as well.