A MUSICAL OASIS BETWEEN THE CITIES OF LA AND SD: WHY THE T-TOWN SCENE IS SO IMPORTANT
Temecula, CA – As a witness to the birth of a ‘scene’ here in T-town, the recent outbreak of the new music culture happening here, as lately seen by the Link’s Hip-Hop Workshop featuring LA’s DJ Wise and Power106 battle champion, Hawthorne’s own RedCloud (7/29 @ Temeku Theatre #7 FREE show), and the growing list of restaurants in the area presenting live music, only proves what I’ve known for a long while. This area which lies between San Diego and Los Angeles/Hollywood has a raw energy that is conducive to making music as well as listening to it. For years wannabe footstompers and line dancers have trudged down from Beverly Hills to T-town’s The Stampede to work up a sweat Richard Simmons would be proud of. Why come down here when so much entertainment is at hand up in LA.
Their answer is simple, to get away from the Paris Hilton types who exude plastic money and attitudes. When you come down here to let your hair down, it feels natural because the folks here aren’t as rich or as self absorbed. Although attempts were made though the years to keep a lid on the scene so only a few could cash in on it, it was only a matter of time before a Stretch Armstrong attitude prevailed and kicked the ‘swinging doors’ wide open to let all the local rockers, not just the shitkickers, have a turn at proving that ‘live music is your best entertainment value’ AND that you don’t need to get drunk in order to have a good time.
As we stroll into summer, FVE (Full Value Entertainment), Ivan Promotions, The Vault, and Java Jo’z/Cuppy’s are dedicated to bringing ‘the sounds of music’ echoing off the granite rich hills of T-town, joined by all the eating/drinking spots that play the songs you’ve grown up on, also live. If 1969 was the ‘Summer of Love’ then 2007 will be the Summer of Music for this valley as more young bands get off at this ‘stagecoach stop’ on their way to play shows in LA and SD. This valley which has seen phenomenal human growth in the past 10 years is now starting to see a creative music scene growth spurt. The no ‘noise ordinance’ will stunt its growth because by being between LA, the West Coast capital of music and art, and San Diego with its beaches and music scene, this valley is poised to be the next ‘Seattle’ for the reason that the area is young – 40% of the valley is 25 or younger – and thriving, within a 25 mile radius of T-town there are 2000 bands. And this festival attitude is spreading as the Faith Bible Church of Corona presents a free 4th of July Fest featuring Francisco the Man (Hotel Underground), The Trade, and Jeprocket (with others TBA), all bands that have appeared and delighted new music lovers very recently around T-town.
For a music lover who has seen the ‘scene’ start, I can only say that all this happening really warms the cockles of my heart, laddie. If left up to the wants of the aforementioned new music scene-sters, then this valley and T-town will be to new music what Jo Moulton and the TVIFF is to Hollywood. And that’s important for the economy and the local culture.