Editor: Every now and then the Union Tribune publishes a puff piece about Ocean Beach. They did it again – and this time it was about OB’s music and the CD Waves with music from OB bands.
I say “puff” because since the Seventies, mainstream media have done these pieces on how cute and nostalgic OB residents are, how quirky the neighborhood is, without ever attempting to address issues and problems that at times grip the community. For instance, often these puff pieces describe OB in nicey-nice terms, without discussing the process of gentrification that is taking place or how city services are falling by the wayside. Anyhow, here we are again, this time about the expanding music scene that is taking place.
Where surf meets song
Quirky, music-loving Ocean Beach even has its own soundtrack
By Mike Lee / Union-Tribune / originally published August 15, 2009
Ocean Beach in San Diego is known for its Bohemian vibe, a very long pier and, of course, its foamy curls.
But to “OBceans,” music is the heart of their community – the force that connects and galvanizes. Ever since surfing movies inspired baby-boomer bands in the ’60s, music has been as much a part of life here as peace signs, organic food and tattoo parlors.
Today you can find guitarists strumming chords on sidewalks leading to the sand, bands performing each week at the coastal farmers market and the husband-and-wife duo of Blair and Kymythy Schultze, who serenade beach-goers at sunset.
In recent weeks, the town’s merchant association worked with a local music producer to compile a CD titled “Waves: The Sound of Ocean Beach, Vol. 1.” The disc features the eclectic stylings of O.B. artists who highlight the neighborhood’s quirky nature, its pulsing main street and its seemingly spiritual link to the water.
For the remainder of the article, go here.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO OUR SONG,(repeat:)… WE WROTE IT SO IT WOULD SOUND ALLRIGHT BUT THEY MADE IT SOUND ALL WRONG…WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO OUR TOWN,(repeat)…WE PLANNED IT SO IT WOULD TURN OUT RIGHT BUT THEY TURNED IT OUT ALL WRONG, WHAT HAVE THEY…(:)
49 Comments to the UT article and everybody misses the point> “The owners (business/property) of our community are THE OWNERS of our community!” The OB Mainstreet Association is a link in the national chain of “MainStreet Associations” that will bring corporate exploitation of arts/artisans to local communities (anybody been to Lexington and 125 lately?) to boost revenues and property values(economic development)
The archetecture of 4719 Newport et. al are the next to fall in this scheme of gentrification. ‘Nuff said!