Victoria Winters was fascinated with the past, so much so that she ultimately got lost in it while chasing after a guy that she picked up during an 18th century witch trial. The Collins clan of 1960s Maine would never see her again and Victoria’s story never reached its logical conclusion— that the foundling-turned-governess was actually the daughter of wealthy family matriarch, Elizabeth— during the television run of Dark Shadows.
Some might scold me for spoiling one of the gazillion plot lines that drove Dark Shadows between 1966 and 1971, but we’re talking about a daytime soap that aired more than 50 years ago. The expiration date for spoilers passed before the Watergate scandal pre-empted ABC’s daytime programming and sent housewives into a tizzy. Besides, there’s a point to this reference. Like Victoria, I spent much of 2023 with one foot in the present and one the past as I worked my way through the 1200+ episodes that comprise the original series and are streaming. Unlike Victoria, I still exist in the present timeline and am here to tell you what I learned from the past.
There are no DJ gigs for me this week. Maybe I’ll work on a new mix, while getting ready for New Year’s Eve at Club Underground, where I’ll be playing with Larry G. and Malvada. Early bird tickets are available now on Dice and Eventbrite and, if you plan on going, the sooner you get your tickets, the better. As for this week, check out one of the following L.A. music events listed here.
Included in my top 10 albums of 2023 are (top row) Taleen Kali “Flower of Life,” Grey Factor “1979-1980 A.D.” (bottom row) Optometry “After-Image,” Decisive Pink “Ticket to Fame”
I don’t know if the annual “best of” lists are necessarily fair. There is still a virtual pile of 2023 albums on my Bandcamp wishlist and running list in my head of albums that I need to hear. There are likely new albums from bands I follow that I don’t know about because, well, you know how social media works these days. Then there are the albums and bands who aren’t even on my radar, but will be next year, or the year after that, or maybe a half-decade down the line. Still, I made a list of my top 10 albums of 2023 that include music you may have heard in my DJ sets IRL, on Mixcloud or a few of the radio appearances I’ve done this year.
I don’t have any club gigs this week, but you can catch me on Sunday, December 17 in “The Conversation” with Mike Regalado at 8 p.m. on Boyle Heights radio station KQBH. It’s a talk show about music, so tune into 101.5 FM if you’re in Boyle Heights or listen online outside of the neighborhood to find out what we discuss. As for actual L.A. music events, I have some suggestions for those of you who aren’t heading to Crypto.com Arena (ugh, can they change that stupid name soon?) to see Depeche Mode this weekend. Keep reading for more info.
Dave Gahan and Martin Gore of Depeche Mode with Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez at Los Angeles City Hall for Depeche Mode Day on December 13, 2023 (Pic: Liz O. )
“This is incredible,” Martin Gore said from the steps of Los Angeles City Hall before thanking Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez for declaring December 13 Depeche Mode Day and the crowd for showing up on the occasion. Over the roar of cheers, he spoke of Depeche Mode’s connection to L.A., how the band played their first stadium show here and about “the Wherehouse fiasco.”
“Sorry we didn’t sign the records, but thank you,” he added. “It helped our career a lot because we made nationwide news.”
First, thanks to all of you who came out to Club Underground on Friday night for Depeche Mode Night and my birthday party. I’m really happy to have been able to have the chance to celebrate at Grand Star Jazz Club with Larry G., Malvada and all of you. (Sorry for not posting the set list, but I accidentally deleted part of it and couldn’t remember much aside from a couple songs.)
I’ll be back at Underground on Sunday December 31, 2023 to celebrate New Year’s Eve with all of you at Grand Star Jazz Club, where both floors of the venue will be open. Early bird tickets are available now on both Eventbrite and Dice at a discount from the price at the door. Plus, last year’s party sold out, so the sooner you snap up your tickets, the better. Head to Underground’s website, or follow Underground on Instagram, for more info when it’s available.
It’s a good week or two to be a Depeche Mode fan in L.A. Kick off the weekend this Friday, December 8, with Depeche Mode Night at Club Underground, which is also my birthday party. Both floors of Grand Star Jazz Club will be open with Larry G., Malvada and me, Liz O., on the decks. Tickets are available now via Eventbrite or Dice.
On December 3, I’ll be at The Grand Star with my pals Jus’ B and Hoseh for another round of Disco Matinee. Join us from 3 – 7 p.m. for an afternoon of disco classics and more. I’ll be bringing my favorite disco Christmas jam from Charo as well as a bunch of other records that I can’t wait to play for you. Check out the previous Disco Matinee post for details, including how you can RSVP for discounted early entry. As for the rest of the week, here are a few of the shows, parties and other L.A. music events that are I think are worth checking out.
A few years ago, I finally got over my fear of tequila (we’ll save that story for another day) and realized that I love margaritas. They’re tart and salty with just a hint of sweetness underneath, all qualities I appreciate in everything. The Mermaid, where I play (more or less) monthly as part of L.A. Industrial’s party Dolce Vita, is home to a very good margarita. In fact, I would say, no matter who is bartending on any given night, it’s consistently the best classic margarita I’ve had. I don’t know the secret. I just know that it’s so good that I keep going for the margarita instead of working my way through The Mermaid’s ample menu of cocktails, even though I know from experience that their specialty drinks are delicious.
That time in 2022 that I found the 12″ single for Charo “(Mamacita) ¿Donde Esta Santa Claus?” at PCC Flea Market. (Photo: Liz O.)
The 12” appeared in the midst of a deep dig through crates set up inside a Pasadena City College parking garage during the monthly PCC flea market. I had already excavated records by Harry Nilsson, Tangerine Dream and Patrice Rushen when a friend, whose visit to Los Angeles was the catalyst for this adventure, called me over to a booth filled with soundtrack albums and soul records. I flipped through As the Record Turns ‘ vinyl selection and paused when I noticed “(Mamacita) ¿Donde Esta Santa Claus?” the 1978 disco Christmas single from Charo, “A Tom Moulton Mix” released as an extended 12” single on Salsoul with a stamped note on the backside of the cover that read:
“In all my life, the most happy time of the year is Christmas and I want to share it with you. When you play this record I’ll be with you. Merry Christmas. Love and cuchi cuchi, Charo.”
