Los Angeles

The "sun-fun-stay-play" atmosphere, the cheery side of "the Big Orange" reigns supreme on tracks like the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" and Jan & Dean's "Surfin' USA." On the other hand, Raymond Chandler observed, "Down these mean streets a man must go…" Those are the streets that lead "Straight Outta Compton."

Latino culture has always played a huge role in Los Angeles' music, from the smooth, soulful doo-wop of "Earth Angel" by the Penguins to the early rock of Ritchie ("La Bamba") Valens to latter-day heroes Los Lobos. To answer their question, the wolf has survived quite handily, thank you.

As you explore our Deep Cuts, you'll make a connection locals have long known: the music, like the city, is all over the map. Just as the movie biz stoked dreams and illusions for the rest of the world that doesn't get to live in Paradise, so has the music. Play it loud.

Los Angeles has always been regarded as a city with no center; its music scene follows suit. Where is the real Los Angeles scene? In the Laurel Canyon Joni Mitchell wrote about? At the beach that spawned Jan & Dean, the Beach Boys, and so many others? Is it the mean streets that gave rise to Ice-T, N.W.A., and Snoop Dogg? The Eastside that produced Los Lobos and the Penguins? How about the Sunset Strip…but which one? The one with the Doors and Buffalo Springfield? Or the one with the umlaut-outfitted, head-banging hair-farmers? All and none of the above. Go fig.