In Angus and Julia Stone’s latest album, Snow – which dropped on September 15 – the Aussie sibling duo transports listeners to an upbeat dreamscape, perfect for escaping the daily hustle. The sonic tones of the self-produced and co-written album feels a little Tame Impala, a little Beach House, and a lot like zipping down PCH in your favorite sunglasses with the windows down.
Though Angus and Julia’s pin is currently dropped at home in OZ, their music is quintessentially California. They know LA as well as any ambitious local, having lived in Santa Monica before heading back down under. One of the catchiest tracks on Snow, “Chateau” is named after the iconic Los Angeles hotel, Chateau Marmont. According to Julia, “We’ve been to the Chateau a bunch of times to hang out, but the song is less about those times and more about the feeling of the place.It’s a kind of fantasy land in the middle of Hollywood, a place where people just disappear. The song is about getting lost … losing yourself. And The Chateau is the perfect place to do that.”
We caught up with Julia to find out where else she likes to get lost in LA.
El Compadre
West Hollywood, $$
Julia Stone: Mexican restaurant is open late-late…. mariachi band ... margaritas ... dark booths… we have been here after shows, just to sit around and keep the night going in a place where you can kinda disappear. The people are super lovely, the food is tasty and the margaritas are massive and strong.
Tree of Life Trail
Griffith Park
JS: This trail has a great view. I love hiking, so anywhere, in any city that you can get into nature and get lost, I’m there!
Wolf
Fairfax, $$$
JS:This restaurant on Melrose is real farm-to -able—such a great atmosphere… People are lovely and they really care about the food. Good food is definitely an important thing to me when I'm on the road.
The Dresden Restaurant
Los Feliz, $$
JS: There’s a couple who’ve been singing there for decades. If you put the name of a song you love in the jar, they’ll play in it in their jazz version. Sit in booths … drink whiskey … it’s a vibe. We’ve had many nights there just sitting around talking shit till they shut the bar.
El Matador State Beach
Malibu
JS: El Matador beach in Malibu feels like a beach from where we grew up in Sydney.
Australian beaches are something else… so, so beautiful. All beaches are beautiful, of course, but where we grew up is truly paradise… So it feels good to find a place like this in LA.
Melrose Trading Post
Fairfax
JS:The only trouble with going to the Fairfax Flea when we’re traveling is that we can never fit what we buy in our suitcases.
Taix French Country Cuisine
Echo Park, $$
JS:Cute French style bar/pub/resto in echo park.
The Trails Cafe
Griffith Park, $
JS: Griffith park holds many memories for me. I love sitting here before hiking with a hot coffee or tea early, early … sitting with a loved one chatting before heading up to look over the city as it wakes up.
Palette Food and Juice
Atwater Village, $$
JS: The most insane family owned health food lunch spot. Places like this really make us feel like we’re having home cooked meals.
Olympic Spa
Koreatown, $$
JS: I have floated about in here for hours upon hours with girlfriends… they have the best little resto out the back where you can eat noodles in robes —girls only place! Very very good vibes.
Go Get Em Tiger
Los Feliz; Larchmont, $$
JS:Closest good coffee to OZ—nice menu and yummy breakfasts.
Pacific Cinerama Dome
Hollywood, $$
JS:I come here to watch 70mm movies on the wrap-around screen. Being on the road, I’m always around the boys in the band, which is awesome… but one of my favourite things to do is go to the movies on my own. To sit in the dark quiet and be alone, but not really alone cos the movie is there with me. I love movies and love being in places that show great films...
Santa Monica Farmers Market
JS:There are so many great farmers markets for great groceries in LA—take your pick. When we were living down in Santa Monica, we’d go to the one there, but I found anywhere in LA they are great! When we’re just passing through LA, the farmers markets are lovely for a stroll. Look at the colours.
The Santa Monica Farmers Markets are committed to promoting healthful eating and sustainable agriculture in California by providing fresh agricultural products from small farms to urban customers, thereby building community and preserving California farmland.