COLLiDE's LA City Guide 2016

LO S

A N G E LE S

C I T Y

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Featuring picks by Silversun Pickups Jason Bentley Grouplove Shirley Manson Fitz and The Tantrums John Doe Classixx Nite Jewel Gavin Turek Deap Vally + more

G U I D E

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ARE PUBLISHER Alan Miller EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Rachael Roth ART & DESIGN Gigie Hall

INTERNS Marina Williams, Cristina Pimentel, Gabrielle Costa CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Marina Williams, Kaitlin Scott, Gigie Hall MARKETING Wes Martin, Tristen Gacoscos, Molly Kodros, Todd Apmann, Ashley Aguirre ADVERTISING West Coast East Coast Maria Sauer maria@wearecollide.com

Monique Gilbert monique@wearecollide.com

Established in 2014, COLLiDE is a culture agency, editorial platform, travel magazine, and international festival founded by Alan Miller, the co-founder of FILTER magazine. Travel with Purpose is a biannual printed coffee table guide covering global travel through the lens of today’s most influential bands and tastemakers.

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CultureCollide.com

TRAVEL WITH PURPOSE is published by Collide Agency LLC, 5514 Wilshire Blvd, 9th Floor, Los Angeles, CA. City Guide Vol. 2, 2016. TRAVEL WITH PURPOSE is not responsible for anything, including the return or loss of submissions, or for any damage or other injury to unsolicited manuscripts or artwork. Any submission of a manuscript or artwork should include a self-addressed envelope or package of appropriate size, bearing adequate return postage. ©2016 COLLIDE AGENCY, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED TRAVEL WITH PURPOSE IS PRINTED IN THE USA cover photo by J Brew / Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

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C O N T E N T S 4 Welcome to Los Angeles 6 Meet your Guides 10 Trails 16 Dine out 22 Stages + Screens 28 After Dark 34 Hidden Gems 40 City Spirit: Randy Tarlow of Resident Creates the Mint Cookie Shake 46 Neighborhood Spotlight: A Tour of Echo Park with Deap Vally 52 Magic Giant’s LA Underground

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welcome to

L O S

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A N G E L E S

We all escape to Los Angeles for various reasons: to be near film and music execs in hopes that their success will rub off on us; for the small-town feel of cozy eastside neighborhoods like Silver Lake and Echo Park; to chase the forgotten dreams promised by old Hollywood; to walk down the boardwalk to the the end of Route 66 and see the green flash of the sun before it disappears into the ocean.

Whether myth or aspiration, for a weekend or a new life chapter, something has brought you to the land where dreams are (maybe, sometimes) made. If you’re looking for where to turn, we defer to the city dwellers who’ve long imbibed the LA Kool-Aid. In this insider’s guide, some of our favorite local artists and innovators reflect on how the city has shaped them as musicians, and where they go to soak in the best of its culture.

Los Feliz Photo by Kaitlin Scott

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M E ET

YOU R

GUID ES Classixx

Los Angeles-based producers Michael David and Tyler Blake, AKA Classixx, have been friends since childhood. Forming in 2008, their second studio album Faraway Reach was released on June 3 via Innovative Leisure. The city of angels has played a big part in the duo’s sound: “LA is a driving city, so at least a quarter of the day is spent in the car listening to and sometimes discovering new music,” they told us.

Deap Vally Punk duo Deap Vally has long been entrenched in the LA music scene. Forming in 2011, the story goes that Julie Edwards and Lindsey Troy met in a crochet class, but that sounds a little tame compared to their incendiary music. Playing their first-ever show at the Silverlake Lounge, Echo Park remains their stomping grounds. Their new album Femejism comes out September 16.

Dreamers

New to Los Angeles by way of Brooklyn, the boys who make up Dreamers have already found their niche in the city. Their perfect day in LA includes surfing and margaritas, plus a night out on the east side. Their debut record This Album Does Not Exist comes out August 26, 2016.

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Classixx/Nick Walker; Deap Vally/Bryan Sheffield; Deradoorian/Bennet Perez

Deradoorian

Angel Deradoorian is best known for her work with Dirty Projectors. She currently plays in a band called Slasher Flicks with Animal Collective’s Avey Tare, and released her debut, full-length solo album, The Expanding Flower Planet under the project name Deradoorian in 2015, to wide critical acclaim.

Fitz and The Tantrums

Fitz and The Tantrums achieved widespread success with their debut album Pickin’ Up the Pieces, and recently released their self-titled album in June.

The album’s first single “HandClap” was in the top 5 of Spotify’s US viral chart, and in the top 10 of the global viral chart. Band member Noelle Scaggs lives in Silver Lake, a neighborhood she calls, “our version of Williamsburg.”

Noelle Fitz/Saam Gabbay; Gavin Turek/Stephanie Bassos; Grouplove/James Marcus Haney; Jason Bentley/ Dustin Downing

Gavin Turek

Singer/songwriter/producer and professionallytrained dancer Gavin Turek was born and raised in LA, and at 15 she borrowed her sister’s ID to see live music at places like The Echo. “LA keeps me hungry and pushes me creatively,” she says. Turek collaborated with Mayer Hawthorne for his band Tuxedo, and the disco-pop queen also released the EP You’re Invited with LA-producer TOKiMONSTA.

Grouplove Grouplove drummer Ryan Rabin was born and raised in LA, and says the city is responsible for shaping everything in his life, including, of course, his music. The band’s first gig was at El Cid in Silver Lake where Rabin still resides. The ‘70s-style indiepop group will release their next album Big Mess on September 9.

Jason Bentley Jason Bentley is the soothing voice behind Morning Becomes Eclectic on KCRW. His encyclopedic knowledge of the current indie music scene makes his show an LA radio staple. Bentley also coordinated the music for all three Matrix films, and currently lives in Venice, where, he says, “art meets crime.”

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John Doe

John Doe is the cofounder and an active member of the band X, one of the most influential outfits in the 1970s LA punk scene. Currently based in San Francisco, Doe co-wrote a personal history of the LA punk scene entitled “Under the Big Black Sun,” which was published this year by Da Capo Press.

Joyce Manor Four-piece punk band Joyce Manor formed 30 minutes outside of LA proper in the South Bay, which The Pixies’ Frank Black, The Beach Boys, and the Descendants all have ties to. “I like to think that we are keeping with that tradition not by choice, but because we can’t help where we come from,” says the band’s founding vocalist/guitarist Barry Johnson.

This month and through the fall Joyce Manor will tour with Diet Cig, Crying, and The Hotelier.

Magic Giant

Nite Jewel

Ramona Gonzales AKA Nite Jewel sprung onto the scene with her ‘80s-inspired electro/disco tunes in 2008. Born in Oakland and raised in Berkeley, the now SoCal-based performer records mainly on a portable eight-track cassette recorder.

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John Doe/Jim Herrington; Nite Jewel/Jose Wolff

Nomadic hippie-folk trio Magic Giant is Austin Bisnow (vocals), Zabricki Li (fiddle, banjo), and Brian Zaghi (upright bass, guitar). The three met in Los Angeles where they currently reside. Their recording studio and practice space is an abandoned underground 1940s bunker in Silver Lake.

Ozomatli

Each member of Ozomatli was born and bred in LA, and the city’s diverse range of cultures has had a major impact on their sound. Utilizing elements from genres like reggaeton, latin, cumbia, jazz, rap and more, the six-piece has released seven studio albums since forming in the mid-90s. Influenced by seminal LA ska band Fishbone, Ozomatli has been active in social justice throughout their career.

Phoebe Bridgers Featured on pivotal LA radio station KCRW as part of their program, “Today’s Top Tune,” Los Angelesbased indie folk songstress Phoebe Bridgers just wrapped up a tour supporting Julien Baker. LA plays a huge role in her music, and mentions of the city can be found throughout her tunes.

Shirley Manson

Ozomatli/Sandra Dahdah; Shirley Manson/Joseph Cultice

Shirley Manson is the frontwoman of iconic ‘90s altrock group Garbage, whose self-titled debut album, released in 1995, sold 4 million copies worldwide.

Born in Edinburgh, Manson currently resides in Hollywood. Garbage is on tour now in support of their latest LP Strange Little Birds, with Kristin Kontrol (DeeDee of Dum Dum Girls) opening for them for their US shows.

Silversun Pickups Forming in 2000, Silversun Pickups got their start at LA clubs, performing most often at the Silverlake Lounge and Spaceland. The current lineup is Brian Aubert, Nikki Monninger, Christopher Guanlao and Joe Lester. They’re currently touring North America and Europe in support of their latest album Better Nature.

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T r a i l s

Mishe Mokwa Photo by Joe Decruyenaere/CC Flickr 10

Griffith Park

Mishe Mokwa

Temescal Canyon

FAVORITE HIKING TRAIL: “I’M KEEPING IT SECRET BUT I WILL SAY IT DOES LURK SOMEWHERE DEEP IN GRIFFITH PARK.” — SHIRLEY MANSON

BALDWIN HILLS SCENIC OVERLOOK: IT’S AN EASY TO MODERATE WORKOUT, AND YOUR REWARD IS SPRAWLING VIEWS OF THE LA BASIN FROM DOWNTOWN TO THE PACIFIC AND SOUTH BAY. — JASON BENTLEY

Griffith Park/Andy Blackledge CC Flickr; Mishe Mokwa/Courtesy of the National Park Service; Temescal Canyon/Claumoho CC Flickr

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ny Angeleno that loves a good hike or weekend trip can confirm that LA is the perfect home base for adventure. Yes, there are beautiful beaches, but the mountains and desert are also just a short drive away. As the entertainment capital, LA makes it easy for artists to escape and find the inspiration they need, whether that means hiking into the Angeles Crest forest, or holing up in a Joshua Tree homestead.

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Griffith Park photo by Anson Chu

“WHEN I HAVE FRIENDS FROM OUT OF TOWN STAYING WITH ME, THEY LIKE TO GO TO RUNYON CANYON SO THEY CAN GIGGLE AT HIKING CELEBRITIES. THAT CAN BE FUN.” — SILVERSUN PICKUPS

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best of Mishe Mokwa Trail recommended by Classixx Grif fith Park recommended by Deradoorian, Dreamers, Gavin Turek, Shirley Manson Parker Mesa Overlook Trail recommended by Nite Jewel Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook recommended by Jason Bentley Hollywood Lake Reser voir Path recommended by Grouplove Topanga State Park recommended by Silversun Pickups Malaga Cove recommended by Joyce Manor Temescal Canyon recommended by Phoebe Bridgers

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d i n e o u t

L&E Oyster photo by Devin Pedde

Xoia

Go Get Em Tiger

Homestate

“HOMESTATE IN SILVERLAKE IS MY FAVORITE TACO SPOT. THEY ALSO ASK INDIE MUSIC FOLKS TO CREATE SPECIAL TACOS EACH MONTH WITH PROCEEDS BENEFITING LOCAL CHARITIES.” — JASON BENTLEY

“I LIVE IN LARCHMONT SO MY FAVORITE SPOT FOR LUNCH/DINNER IS DEFINITELY PRADO, WHICH HAS INCREDIBLE CARIBBEAN FOOD. FOR COFFEE/BREAKFAST, IT’S GO GET EM TIGER. THAT MACADAMIA/ALMOND MILK IS SOOOOOO GOOD.” — GAVIN TUREK

Xoia/Gigie Hall; Go Get Em Tiger courtesy of; Homestate/Sarah Gim

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he Los Angeles dining scene is subject to trends, and we must admit the rumors are true: we love our avocado toast, breakfast tacos, and artisanal coffee shops. Beyond that, no matter what part of the city you’re visiting, you can find anything from cheap eats to exorbitantly priced oysters and everything in between. So aside from the essential stop at In & Out, we’ve asked our local experts to name the best place for a bite in their neighborhoods.

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L&E Oyster photo by Sidney Bensimon

“I LIKE L&E OYSTER BAR ‘CAUSE I LOVE OYSTERS, AND IT’S A SUPER RELAXED ATMOSPHERE THAT IS WALKABLE FROM MY HOUSE.” — GROUPLOVE

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best of Pine & Crane recommended by Nite Jewel Kogi Korean BBQ recommended by Gavin Turek, Shirley Manson Homestate recommended by Jason Bentley Go Get Em Tiger recommended by Gavin Turek Xoia recommended by Dreamers Loteria Grill recommended by John Doe L&E Oyster Bar recommended by Grouplove The Cof fee Cup Cafe recommended by Joyce Manor Ramayani recommended by Classixx Masa of Ec ho Park recommended by Phoebe Bridgers Mariscos Quatro Viento recommended by Ozomatli House of Pies recommended by Fitz and The Tantrums

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Stag e s

+

S c r e e n s

Petite Noir at theEchoplex photo by Gigie Hall

Teragram Ballroom

The Echoplex

Hollywood Forever Cemetery

“THE ECHO IN ECHO PARK IS A GREAT PLACE.” — DREAMERS

“HOLLYWOOD BOWL IS SUCH A HISTORIC VENUE AND WE ACTUALLY GOT TO PLAY THERE. IN HIGH SCHOOL I USE TO SPEND MY SUMMERS BEING AN USHER THERE TO SEE FREE SHOWS SO THERE’S DEFINITELY A CONNECTION.” — ULI BELLA, OZOMATLI

Teragram Ballroom courtesy of; The Echoplex/Gigie Hall; Hollywood Forever Cemetery/Marina Williams

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he days of rock and punk bands infesting the Sunset Strip may seem like they’re over, with the closing of the classic House of Blues venue, as well as The Masque, Starwood, and Larchmont Hall which John Doe cites as having a major influence on the punk scene.

But many institutions continue to hold their ground, while new venues continue to crop up, and unconventional spaces get repurposed to host live music.

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Los Feliz 3 photo by Kaitln Scott

“I’VE BEEN ABLE TO SEE ALL MY FAVORITE BANDS SEVERAL TIMES, AND THERE’S AT LEAST ONE OR TWO LA REFERENCES IN MOST OF MY SONGS.” — PHOEBE BRIDGERS Movie Theaters In the 1900s, filmmakers flocked to Hollywood for its perfect weather and varied terrain. With the birth of the “movie star” in the 1920s, the village’s history as a film hub is a long and storied one. And though cities like Atlanta and Montreal have begun to rival LA as filming destinations, the city continues to attract industry hopefuls year after year. In the city there are boundless spots to see a flick any night of the week, in any neighborhood.

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best of The Lyric recommended by Nite Jewel The Smell recommended by Deap Vally Teragram Ballroom recommended by Jason Bentley The Ec ho recommended by Dreamers, Fitz and The Tantrums, John Doe, Phoebe Bridgers Hollywood Bowl recommended by Gavin Turek, Grouplove, Ozomatli Troubadour recommended by Classixx, Gavin Turek, Grouplove, Joyce Manor El Rey Theater recommended by Silversun Pickups Hollywood Forever Cemeter y recommended by Shirley Manson Pehrspace recommended by Joyce Manor ArcLight Hollywood Theater recommended by Grouplove, Shirley Manson, Silversun Pickups The Vista Theater recommended by Gavin Turek, Silversun Pickups Los Feliz 3 recommended by Phoebe Bridgers

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A f t e r D a r k

Davey Wayne’s Photo by Frank Ishman

The Varnish

La Descarga

Davey Wayne’s

“COCK TAILS AT VARNISH IN DOWNTOWN OR BAR STELLA ARE GREAT.” — GROUPLOVE 30

“DURING THE DAY I LIKE TO GO TO JOE JOST’S WHEN IT’S NOT TOO CROWDED. THE INSIDE IS BEAUTIFUL AND YOUR BEER COMES IN A BIG FROSTY GLASS. AT NIGHT I LIKE 4TH ST VINE. WHAT UP, JIM!”

The Varnish/Dylan + Jeni; La Descarga/Andy Keilen; Davey Wayne’s/Frank Ishman

— JOYCE MANOR

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round 8 p.m. during late summer, Los Angeles sheds its oppressive layer of heat to give way to a nightlife that is both glittery and grimy. We suggest starting with a happyhour cocktail to eventually find yourself at a singing room in K-Town, and later stumbling onto the street for a late-night hot dog from a sidewalk vendor.

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Cafe Brass Monkey photo by Marina Williams

“FOR A CLASSIC, DIVEY, AWKWARD KARAOKE EXPERIENCE I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND BRASS MONKEY. NO ONE CAN SING AND NO ONE TAKES THEMSELVES TOO SERIOUSLY, WHICH MAKES IT AWESOME.” — GAVIN TUREK

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best of Taix recommended by Nite Jewel Big Foot Lodge recommended by Deap Vally Davey Wayne’s recommended by Jason Bentley Har vard & Stone recommended by Dreamers The Varnish recommended by Grouplove Edendale recommended by Classixx, Gavin Turek, Grouplove, Joyce Manor Tonga Hut recommended by Classixx 4100 Bar recommended by Deradoorian, Fitz and The Tantrums Brass Monkey Karaoke recommended by Gavin Turek Smog Cutter recommended by Silversun Pickups

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h i d d e n g

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LA River Photo by Kaitlin Scott

Stories

Miyako Hotel

Pa Ord Noodle

Club Tee Gee

“I DON’T KNOW HOW UNDISCOVERED IT IS, BUT THE TEE GEE IN ATWATER VILLAGE WAS A VERY IMPORTANT PLACE FOR ALL OF OUR BANDS AND ARTIST FRIENDS TO MEET UP. SO MANY THINGS AND SO MANY IDEAS BURST FROM THOSE LATE NIGHT CHEAP DRINKING EVENINGS. SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY...”

— SILVERSUN PICKUPS

“THERE IS A VIBRANT ART THEATRE, MUSIC AND FASHION SCENE, INCREDIBLE FOOD, AND A VERY TANGIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. ON THE EASTSIDE OF THE CITY ANYWAY!” — SHIRLEY MANSON OF GARBAGE

Miyako Hotel/Prayitno CC Flickr; Stories/Marina Williams; Pa Ord Noodle/Ed Kwon CC Flickr; Club Tee Gee/Kaitlin

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A is full of overlooked places that, on second glance, bear signs of a significant social history, whether in the realm of art, politics or architecture.

They’re easy to miss by car, but on foot, these places become much more apparent, and they are endless, making the city forever a place of discovery and exploration. So hang up your keys, pick a neighborhood and start walking.

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Carroll Ave photo by Kailtin Scott

“I’M AN LA RIVER GUY, EVEN THOUGH IT’S KIND OF UGLY IN CERTAIN SECTIONS [LAUGHS]. THERE’S SOMETHING TO IT — I FEEL LIKE WAY BEFORE ANYBODY WAS HERE, THE NATIVE AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ALWAYS LIVED OFF THAT RIVER, SO IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT.” — ULI BELLA, OZOMATLI

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best of Miyako Hotel recommended by Nite Jewel Ye Rustic Inn recommended by Shirley Manson Self-Realization Fellowship recommended by Deap Vally Stories recommended by Deap Vally, Dreamers Squaresville recommended by Dreamers, Deradoorian Pa Ord Noodle recommended by Gavin Turek Sushi Nishi Ya recommended by Grouplove Club Tee Gee recommended by Silversun Pickups Carroll Ave recommended by Ozomatli L A River recommended by Ozomatli Future Music recommended by Phoebe Bridgers

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CITY SPIRIT

Randy Tarlow of Resident Creates the Mint Cookie Shake

by Rachael Roth photos by Gigie Hall

“

I’m

the

a

huge

Los

proponent

Angeles

of

cocktail

community, and just cocktails in general. We try to educate consumers and teach industry people about this whole trade.

Randy Tarlow likes a challenge.

As the bartender and head of the beverage program at Resident, an industrial-chic beer garden/ music venue/bar in the Arts District, he uses ingredients that some might call esoteric, finding a way to make everything work together. Some of his signature cocktails on Resident’s menu include the Oaxacan Razor Blade, which combines mezcal and orgeat, and Daddy Issues, (“we always get a chuckle out of that”), mixing vodka with Campari, vermouth, and more.

So when we asked him to make a delicious summer drink that uses High Brew Coffee as a main ingredient, we knew we’d come to the right place. The resulting concoction, inspired by the green label on the High Brew can, some Girl Scout cookies, and mint chip ice cream consumed earlier that week, is Tarlow’s “Mint Cookie Shake,” which combines High

Brew’s Dark Chocolate Mocha Coffee, Frenet, vodka from a local LA distillery, Borghetti (to give the coffee flavor a kick) creme de cacao, and heavy cream.

Having tended bar around the world in places like Germany, Australia, Italy, and New York, Tarlow found himself in Los Angeles in 2007. He’s now a board member of the USPG, the founder of natural syrups company Liquid Alchemist, and a self-described advocate of “better drinking.” Find him slinging cocktails during Resident’s eclectic music program all year long. Upcoming acts this summer include a night with DJ sets from Nite Jewel and Justin Gage, plus Jake Bellows, a shared bill with Tele Novella, Summer Twins and Samira’s Infinite Summer, and more. Check out their full calendar here and visit them at 428 S. Hewitt St.

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In a shaker add: 1 oz. Fernet Branca Menta ½ oz. Vapid Vodka from The Spirit Guild (local) ¼ oz. Tempest Fusion Creme de Cacao ¼ oz. Borghetti to give the coffee flavor a kick ½ oz. Heavy cream to froth it out 4 oz. High Brew Dark Chocolate Mocha

Use 1 ice cube + spring to manually whip milkshake in shaker without diluting.

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Pour over Kold Craft Ice Cubes.

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Garnish with cookie crumble.

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I tried to heavy-up on the sweetness. What I’ve learned is that the actual taste of coffee is not for everybody.

”

It’s more about the result from drinking the coffee.

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Neighborhood Spotlight: A Tour of Echo Park with

Deap Vally

by Rachael Roth photos by Gigie Hall & Marina Williams

Driving through LA’s Echo Park neighborhood emphasizes the city’s sprawl; colorful storefronts and pizzerias exist in clumps along Sunset Boulevard with long stretches of road in between, making it hard to pinpoint the exact epicenter. Echo Park preceded Highland Park as the poster neighborhood for gentrification; comprised of both long term residents and a semi-recent influx of creatives, it is ever-developing but maintaining of its character and diversity. Wandering beneath the underpass on Glendale Boulevard and back up towards Sunset around Mohawk Bend, Deap Vally unveils Echo Park’s pockets of culture, and the underground network of musicians and artists who dwell here. It’s clear the scene in Echo Park is tightly woven, and that Deap Vally is an essential fabric running through it.

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“I remember in the old days there was a nice tight scene of buddies and you’d run into everyone you knew.”

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1.BURRITO KING

Tip from Deap Vally: Try the basic nachos.

2. STORIES

“[Stories] used to be a record shop, called Sea Level. And I was in the local hero band that was once the top seller.” — Julie 3. LOLLIPOP RECORDS

“It’s an awesome little used and new record shop, and also a cassette tape and record label, attached to a recording studio where a lot of the bands that are on the label record, basically an awesome little closet industry. The Lollipop Empire. Our friends Mystic Braves are the co-owners of this label. We toured with them awhile back.” — Lindsey 4.TAIX

“Back in the day, [Taix] had this weekly dinner special where for $8 you got a three-course meal with chicken, and sorbet at the end. My ex-boyfriend and I used to come and eat here every Thursday night.” — Julie 5. SPACEDUST

“We design it together based on what they want and what I can bring to it. We just collaborate altogether,” says Michelle Jupiter, the owner of Spacedust who creates custom clothes for Deap Vally’s tours.

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c i g Ma s ’ t n Gia

L A U n d e r gr o un d

Los Angeles folk trio Magic Giant has been trotting across the country and Canada for festivals like Wanderlust and Electric Forest in a retrofitted, solar-powered Volkswagen van. Using the van for power, they’ve stopped off in scenic locations along their route to record music videos and new tracks. “We wanted to get the ambience and atmosphere of some of these other places, because you can be in a bus, and that can be anywhere, but this barn outside of Toronto? There’s only one of them. The wildflowers in Crested Butte? It’s just unique, you know? You can’t replicate it,” they told us.

Forming in LA, the nomadic band, Austin Bisnow (vocals), Zabricki Li (fiddle, banjo), and Brian Zaghi (upright bass, guitar) make good traveling companions, as they discovered from their 40-plus days of touring and adventuring. At the end of July they returned home, playing a sold-out show at The Troubadour in West Hollywood, and retreating back to their unique recording space — an underground bunker built in the 1940s, which Li discovered on Christmas Eve of 2015.

B E

F O R E

“I think it just came from classic fear of world annihilation,” Li explains of why it was built in the first place. What they describe as the ideal studio, the bunker in Silver Lake is one of the only two that they know of in the city, the other being right next door. “The [people selling the house] were like, oh yeah, there’s this thing underground, but like don’t worry about it. They didn’t even think this was a good selling point,” Bisnow tells us. Aboveground is Li’s house, a cottage where other traveling artists can stay, as well as the band when they are pulling late nights in the studio.

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“We can rehearse at any hour of the night and it’s totally soundproof. When he discovered it, it was definitely more in shambles, there were puddles on the floor, there was no electricity, there was no anything,” Bisnow says of the bunker before the band completely renovated the space.

Previously owned by landscape artists and gardeners, the scenic outdoors surrounds the retrofitted interior, which they say holds enough supplies for about 30 people to survive for three days, should it come to that. “If you’re gonna have it, it might as well be a party,” Bisnow says, laughing.

I think it just came from classic fear of world annihilation.

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