Lost in Los Angeles: A Drummer's Dizzying Dive

okay, so. los angeles. right? everyone’s got an opinion. i’m just trying to keep a beat, you know? i’m leo, by the way, touring drummer. been bouncing around for… well, let’s just say a while. landed in la for a gig, and somehow ended up… here.

it’s… weird. like, intensely weird. i just checked and it's hovering around 25 degrees, feels like a bit less thanks to that coastal breeze. hope you like that kind of thing. the humidity’s low, which is a blessing for my drums (and my hair, let’s be honest). pressure’s high, which probably explains the general anxiety i’m picking up from everyone.

spent most of my time wandering around *Echo Park. found this amazing little vintage shop - “Retrograde Records & Threads” - seriously, check it out if you’re into anything remotely cool. https://www.yelp.com/biz/retrograde-records-and-threads-los-angeles - the owner, this woman named esme, is a trip. she gave me this cryptic warning: “don’t trust the pigeons. they’re watching.” i’m not even kidding.

and the food! oh man. i stumbled into this taco truck near Silver Lake - “El Jefe’s Tacos” - and it was life-changing. seriously. someone told me that the al pastor is the only thing worth ordering, and they were not wrong. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g32811-d12345678-Reviews-El_Jefe_s_Tacos-Los_Angeles_California.html

“apparently, if you go to Griffith Observatory at the right time, you can see the hollywood sign and a spaceship. i’m not sure if it’s true, but it’s a good story.”

my neighbors? well, if you get bored, Santa Monica and Long Beach are just a short drive away. i’ve been trying to scope out some potential recording studios - gotta keep the hustle going, you know? found a few promising leads on https://losangeles.craigslist.org/mus/.


gear list, because, drummer. gotta keep it organized, even when i’m not.

my trusty tama starclassic maple kit (obviously)
vic firth 5a sticks - can’t live without ‘em
noise-canceling headphones (la is loud)
portable metronome (essential)
a ridiculously oversized tote bag for all my random stuff


pro-tips, because i’m feeling generous:

wear comfortable shoes. you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
learn to navigate the freeways. seriously. it’s a skill.
don’t make eye contact with anyone on the metro. trust me.
always have cash. some of the best spots are cash-only.
embrace the chaos. la is what it is.


heard a drunk guy at a bar rambling about a haunted theater downtown. said it was the Pantages Theatre*. apparently, a former performer still roams the backstage. https://www.pantages.com/ i’m not usually into that stuff, but… hey, a drummer’s gotta have a hobby, right?


anyway, gotta run. got a rehearsal. los angeles… it’s a lot. but it’s also… something. i’m still figuring it out.