Long Live The Culture.
Photos by Jeremiah Iglesias
It’s the day after another solid local diy show in the pacific. i attended the secret show (thank you long live) in a small clothing shop packed to the brim with eager music listeners and lovers alike. so many of us sharing a history of treading these waters. amongst the friends and familiar faces were a bunch more people I don’t know personally. what I do know is that every single person there is connected by a love for this art. the scene is growing.
I am witnessing culture within this room. stories in the belly. All of us consumed by something so creative and honest, that we meet up in secret to enjoy what we want on our terms. these bands. juiced, dogs in dededo, gssp grrls, and in bedrooms represent on the night what so many of us pour ourselves into. that’s where we find understanding.
None of this would be possible without the dedicated individuals that collectively make this place one cool-as-fuck paradise. i wonder how many in the audience truly know how much dedication it takes to help make it all happen? That’s why I could go on about how places like ll and everyone that lends a helping hand are really the backbone to this artistic operation.
being there yesterday showed me how far we’ve come since I moved back from san Francisco 10 years ago. when i moved back and started my indie band, to the hill, we almost felt like we had to hike up one just to make the general public get where we were coming from. being a cover band meant a lot and original music was seen as a gimmick by promoters and hacks alike. then there are the people that get it. always.
now i’m watching the new wave of young listeners do more than just listen to these local alternative bands, they sing their lyrics too.
That’s progress.
