Los Angeles-via-New Zealand indie pop king Thomston announced recently that we'll be receiving not one but two EPs from him soon, two city-themed releases titled London and Los Angeles.
Living in Los Angeles these days but born in London, Thomston's got personal connections to each city and while they're nothing alike, London and Los Angeles are both endlessly vibrant with art, culture and entertainment.
Today we've received a taste of each EP in the form of Casual (from Los Angeles) and Middle Name (from London) so we thought it only fitting to get his hottest tips for the two amazing cities in a travel guide penned by Thomston himself, including all the best places to shop, eat and drink.
FYI, you can also win a double pass to Thomston's tour by entering HERE.
LOS ANGELES
SHOPPING
America is the land of the mall. Century City Westfield is this almost sacred temple of consumption, it’s got an Eataly and these hanging day beds around these fire pits and it’s perfect. In terms of stuff you can actually buy though, it’s gotta be the Rose Bowl Flea Market. Got these tiiiiiite pants from WW2.
EATS
I’m a sucker for minimalism, and Sugarfish By Sushi Nozawa does it best. you can get it a la carte or from multiple tasting menus but every dish is just nigiri or a handroll or sashimi. Honestly life-changing. On the lower end of the price point scale, Leo’s Taco Truck has crazy al pastor tacos. You stand around in a parking lot in Mid-City and watch as they shave pork off a spit and slice some pineapple only to catch it in the tortilla. It’s like cirque du soleil but it costs $1 and you can eat it
DRINKS
Perch is this restaurant in downtown with a bar atop a sky scraper. You feel like you’re in this oversized forest canopy cut from glass and if you’re like me (severely allergic to alcohol) the view is worth paying $10 for a mocktail lol. But my friends tell me the cocktails are quite good.
DATE NIGHT
Take your boo to the Getty Museum. Catch a sunset that swallows the city and lights the smog up all orange. Then wander round the south pavilion and see all the 18th century furniture and decor. It’s kinda like window shopping but even more unrealistic.
LONDON
SHOPPING
I love wandering around Shoreditch, sometimes to shop but mainly to see what everyone else is wearing and take a mental picture for future styling. Everyone there is infuriatingly cool. I always feel underdressed.
BEST RECORD STORE
It has to be Rough Trade, They put on cool events and really support upcoming artists. I watched this really sick artist, Denai Moore, play a beautiful set when she released her debut project. It felt super special.
VIEW OF THE CITY
Primrose Hill always. Have a picnic there under the grey clouds and complain about people calling instead of texting for the true British experience. London is one of those places though that is best admired up close, wandering around and seeing super old buildings that are weathered and eroded, intentionally left as a contrast to huge modern skyscrapers. London by foot is best, in my opinion.
