Sometimes you’re 5,000 miles away from home and it’s the little things that make you So Cal sick.  You know- the fact that avocados take a week to ripen here, that tortilla chips need to be found in the ethnic food aisle, and the fact that ranch dressing doesn’t even exist here.  Newsflash, it’s not a brand London land, it’s a type of salad dressing- and a magical one at that.  Then there’s the announcement of Sunset Strip Music Fest’s line up for twenty-eleven and you already have the Virgin Atlantic website up booking your return trip.

In case you live in the dark ages (or the pacific standard time zone) and you haven’t gotten the memo yet, the lineup is peppered with audio tricks and treats from new and old greats.  I’m talking Bush, Public Enemy, Matt & Kim, The Dirty Heads, Cobra Starship (I’m still having issues with the fact that William Beckett no longer makes an appearance in the group- but their addictive song aspect is undeniable,) Voxhaul Broadcast, Purple Melon, Deluka, Imagine Dragons, and Semi Precious Weapons.

Need I mention another reason for me to export myself straight back to sunny So Cal?  Oh, ok- you don’t have to twist my arm- if you have no idea what the SSMF weekend is like, think an unrelenting overdose of musical mayhem, an effortless way to stay sun soaked and get that back to school golden gleam, and hello- great music.  SSMF is upping the ante every year, so I’m going to stress that you invest in a little end of summer street-side soiree and get your tickets ASAP- they WILL sell out.

Auditory Advisory Warning:  It took me a good forty-eight hours to recover from the music mayhem, plan accordingly.  See you there.