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Sea Level Records Bites The Dust
The Wherehouse, Licorice Pizza, Rhino, Tower, Moby Disc, Aron's, Penny Lane, db Coopers... and now you can add Echo Park's Sea Level to the list of once-essential local record stores that have thrown in the towel.
The LA Times Buzz Bands blog has the scoop:
the independent outlet that in 5 1/2 years had become a locus for Los Angeles' Eastside music scene, will close June 30, owner Todd Clifford said. "It's not so much competition as the fact I want my life back," said Clifford, 32, who runs the store, at 1716 Sunset Blvd. in Echo Park, with the help of just one part-time employee. "Yes, it's been a struggle. But each year has been better than the last. It just got to be too much for me."
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Doesn't that sound like all those athletes who say they want to hang 'em up so they can spend more time with their family? Hopefully this too will be as fleeting as a Roger Clemens retirement, though it's hard not to think that Amoeba, iTunes, Best Buy, and Amazon isn't partially to blame.photo of Sea Level in March via Myspace
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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