Just to the east of North Park is a neighborhood that seems to go unmentioned in the live music scene. City Heights. North of the 94 and east of the 805, City Heights has a long colored history in San Diego. Formally known as East San Diego, City Heights is made up of 16 different neighborhoods and is home to one of the most densely populated areas of San Diego. Within its boundaries, you’ll find a population which is over 40% foreign born, hailing from Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America. Little Saigon finds its home on City Height’s El Cajon Boulevard, mixed in with restaurants serving Ethiopian fare and Mexican street tacos. Although it is one of the most diverse areas in San Diego, it is also one of the poorest. The median income for families in City Heights is just over $35,000, barely half of the median income in San Diego county. And compared to the rest of San Diego county, the crime rate is about 40% higher in City Heights. That being said, City Heights has the highest concentration of non-profit organizations in San Diego, investing money into community building and education.
Perched on an anonymous corner in City Heights is a darkened bar with a neon red cat glowing in its front window. Welcome to Black Cat Bar. Originally built as a bank in the 1920s with the crown molding to prove it, the Black Cat Bar is different than any other bar I’ve seen in San Diego. It’s too classy to be a dive and too real to be a hipster hangout. In sum, it’s a good old fashioned bar where people stand around talking, drinking and playing pool.
First up on the Black Cat’s corner stage was Fanny and the Atta Boys. Self-described as American roots, country swing and depression-era jazz, this band made me feel like I had walked into the 1930s. Their style, their sound, and their vernacular were so amazingly authentic it was like a time machine. And Fanny’s voice, a brassy mix of Amy Winehouse and Macy Gray, held my attention for the whole set. Throw in a handful of swing dancers tearing up the make-shift dance floor, and this was a pretty great band.
Next came The Resonant Rogues. This duet is a recently married couple named Sparrow and Kevin Smith who hail from Asheville, North Carolina. A combination of New Orleans Jazz and old Appalachia, their original work pulls scenes from their everyday lives and infuses meaning into moments that would otherwise pass unnoticed. They touch on race, immigration, politics, love and family. And they do so with this lightness and ease that makes you wonder if they ever have a bad day. They are currently on a trip through the national parks on the west coast. I’m pretty sure they hike with their accordion and sing the entire time.
All in all, the night felt like a treat tucked deep within City Heights. Thanks to Chad for coming on this seedy adventure with me, and answering every question known to man about how record players work. It’s only a matter of time before my living room is filled with vinyl from all the artists I meet on my adventures with The San Diego Album!
