Crate Expectations in California:

Just back from California and finally shaking off the jet lag (sort of). Though it was time to share my record and CD hauls from the Golden State.Transcript of Audio (With a few ad libs mixed in)Hey, it’s Thea here – and I’m just back from spending April in California! Between the sunshine, seeing old friends, Canva Create, several road trips, and a few epic meals, I also managed to squeeze in some proper record shopping in Santa Cruz and Los Angeles.Let’s start in Santa Cruz…Santa Cruz – Streetlight RecordsFirst stop: Streetlight Records in downtown Santa Cruz. They had this brilliant deal – 10 CDs for $10. So, naturally, I scored a little stack.A few highlights?* The Dunwells – Blind Sighted Faith (2012) – Harmony-rich Leeds lads… Not sure I even know a track on this or from them, but I’m curious!* Mojo Presents: How Soon Is Now? (2017) – A Smiths tribute CD, brilliantly curated and full of jangly nostalgia.* Mojo: Best of 2024 – A fresh collection of modern legends and rising stars. Always love seeing what Mojo picks.* Uncut Presents: John Peel's Festive 15 (2023) – A cracking tribute to the legendary tastemaker, full of indie gems.* Ed Sheeran – + (2011) – His debut. Not everyone’s cuppa, but I’ve got a soft spot for this one.* Kristin Hersh – Sky Motel (1999) – Haunting and poetic, just like you’d expect from the Throwing Muses frontwoman.* Tyler Hilton – The Tracks of Tyler Hilton (2004) – Charming debut. Total throwback to singer-songwriter vibes and early 2000s CW days. Speaking of which, I also picked up...* Five for Fighting – America Town (2000) – Yup, the “Superman” one. Great piano pop.* Sammy Hagar – Unboxed (1994) and The Essential Red Collection (2004) – A proper Red Rocker double whammy.* Hunters & Collectors – Fate (1991) – Aussie rockers I once played American football with after a soundcheck at One Step Beyond in Santa Clara. Random, right?OK, so yes… I got more than 10. But a few are gifts, so I’ll keep those under wraps.A few not in the sale were:Cigarettes After Sex – X's (2024) $15.00 =- One of my fave bands in the last decade. So sensual and cinematic as ever and the brilliant Tom Petty – Full Moon Fever (1989) $7.99 It was a among my stolen cassettes so good to get this classic on CD. It’s Petty at his most effortlessly brilliant.Santa Cruz – On the StreetLater that night, I was out for dinner in downtown Santa Cruz with my Lasso Con co-founder Chris Yeh, when I spotted a guy—Michael, I think—selling crates of vinyl right there on the street.I ended up grabbing:* Foreigner – Head Games (1979) – A punchy, swaggering rock classic.* Sammy Hagar – Musical Chairs (1977) – One of his early solo records, pre-Van Halen.Got both for $15 – not bad for a bit of street crate-digging!Los Angeles – Record Store DayThen it was down to LA for Record Store Day, which meant a visit to Gimme Gimme Records – and yep, more treasures turned up:* Icehouse – Measure for Measure (1986) – Lush, synthy Aussie goodness for just two bucks.* JoBoxers – Like Gangbusters (1983) – Pure Brit-funk joy. So catchy.* Adam Ant – Strip (1983) – Glitzy, flamboyant, and totally of its time.But the big wins?* The Cure – The Top (1984) – A psychedelic, genre-blurring trip of a record. I lost my original in the great vinyl theft, so this felt like sweet redemption.* Simple Minds – Sparkle in the Rain (1984) – Another stolen gem I was thrilled to replace. Found it at Arrero Records in LA. Just $6!So yeah, it might not have been the biggest haul I’ve ever done, but there were some proper gems in there. A few replacements for my missing records, some nostalgic scores, and plenty of fresh listens ahead. So I’ll catch you on the next haul. Until next time, I’m Thea, sayin’ “See Ya!” :) Get full access to Totally Content UK at totallycontentuk.substack.com/subscribe