East L.A. with Daisy O'Dell — The Remarkable Explorers Club

Locals Only

It’s hard to talk about the Los Angeles music scene without referencing the legendary Daisy O’Dell. The award-winning music producer, curator, and DJ is a regular fixture behind the decks at official Golden Globes, Emmy, and Grammy after parties; movie and TV premieres; and film and music festivals from Coachella to Sundance and TIFF. The music maven has performed alongside many of the world’s most iconic acts, including Lou Reed, Prince, LCD Soundsystem, Common, Haim, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Fleetwood Mac, Iggy Pop, Robyn, and Florence and the Machine.

We caught up with Daisy fresh off of a flight home from Tokyo for a crash course on East LA living.

*Photos L-R: Sheltered Co // @daisyodell*

Daisy (in a few words):

Sequined, post-punk, idealistic.

Los Angeles (in a few words):

Diverse and spacious - like the geography.

First thing you do when you’re back on home turf:

Cuddle my kids under our magical Sheltered & Co. weighted blankets then a scrub and massage from Natura Spa in K-Town followed by seeing Michelle at Nail Swag in DTLA.

Top spots:

The Chateau is singular in its ambiance and patronage. There is nowhere in the world quite like it and in the decade since I moved to LA it has managed to retain its magic for me. A lot of that can be credited to the sensational woman who guards the entrance – the effervescent Anya. I like to be there so I go there. Any deeper conversation about the scene would feel exploitive. We like our privacy where we can find it.

Amoeba is a fantastic resource for anyone with an interest in music. The staff has a comprehensive understanding of their specialty; the selection is world class; the programming on-point. It’s Shangri-la for music nerds or those of us music nerds fortunate enough to make music history and knowledge our vocation.

*Photos L-R: Gotafli // Chateau Marmont*

Morning ritual:

Yoga at One Down Dog.

Art fix:

Bigger hits: The Broad, MOCA, LACMA, and The Getty. Curate LA is an app that tells you all the openings and art events going on in LA. I find it helpful navigating the extensive art scene here.

*Photos L-R: @daisyodell // Getty Museum // LACMA*

Shopping strategy:

Myrtle, Decades, House of Intuition, Fashion Mama’s Kids Fashion Fair, Rose Bowl Flea Market, and Echo Park Craft Fair.

Beatrice Valenzuela and Rachel Craven curate the Echo Park Craft Fair beautifully. They whittle it down to only the most unique vendors with utterly remarkable items. Sheltered Co weighted blankets are incredible and I believe that EPCF is one of the only places you can get them since they sell out on-line almost instantly.

BOOK NOOK:

Skylight Books, Secret Headquarters, and The Last Bookstore.

Quick bite:

HomeState, Kitchen Mouse, and Fishwives.

Street eats:

Grand Central Market for oysters and Eggslut.

Coffee stop:

Broome St. General Store.

Night out:

Any event that Ana Calderon, Andres Rigal, or Bryan Rabin curate.

Mexican fix:

Tacos from Guerrilla.

Live music:

The Hollywood Bowl.

*Photos L-R : @andresrigal // Guerilla Tacos // Hollywood Bowl*

Weekend get away:

Joshua Tree or Big Sur.

Date night:

Cinespia.

Local scenery:

Hike Griffith Park to the Observatory.

*Photos L-R: Thomas Loizeau // Cinespia // Florian Graham*

Cultural connection:

Dodgers Game.

Local secret:

Bob Baker Marionette Theater.

Must do:

Aura portraits at Halo Auragraphic.

Travel with:

A refillable water bottle and La Mer.

Bring home (FROM AFAR):

I love vintage & make a point to visit the thrift stores all over the world. I have a perfect 1920s top hat from Berlin (I had to wear on the flight home), 70s kaftans from Mexico City, and a bunch of new “old” Harajuku stuff I just scored in Tokyo.

Travel tip:

Don’t take it for granted.