(Sylvie Belmond | CLAIR – Simi Valley, CA) — It’s 1985 in New York City. I skate through the streets of Tribeca, the rumble of my board blending with the sounds of the city—honking taxis, the chatter of passersby, and the rhythmic clack-clack of my wheels hitting pavement cracks. In my ears, my Walkman spins a soundtrack of my own: Don Henley’s The Boys of Summer, David Bowie’s Let’s Dance, Talking Heads’ Burning Down the House, and Bryan Ferry’s unmistakable croon. Music is my escape, a pulse that matches the city’s heartbeat as I carve my way toward Midtown’s 48th Street.
Meanwhile, on the West Coast, Simi Valley’s music scene reflected national trends. New wave, pop, and rock filled local venues like Mike’s Pizza, where bands such as The Goodtime Band entertained crowds.
Fast forward to today. The skateboard is gone, replaced by the open road and the California coastline stretching ahead. My Walkman? Long traded for Bluetooth streaming, delivering a seamless soundtrack as I drive to Ventura. But while the format has changed, my love for music hasn’t.
Now, my playlists reconnect me to my roots. French artists like Claudio Capéo and Manau bring back the sounds of my native language, while Tafta, a Swiss band, blends rock, folk, and poetic storytelling into something fresh yet timeless. Music isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about discovery.
Kane Brown’s mix of R&B and country mirrors today’s genre-blurring landscape, while Angélique Kidjo fuses African rhythms with jazz, pop, and funk, proving music knows no borders. On certain days, I let Vivaldi’s strings transport me elsewhere. And my love for Latin music has brought Luis Fonsi into the mix.
It’s incredible how easy it is to access any genre, any era, with just a tap. Streaming platforms like Spotify, Pandora, and YouTube offer endless choices, whether you crave classic rock, French folk, African beats, or country twang.
Yet, radio still holds its place, especially here in Simi Valley. 99.1 The Ranch keeps country music alive in the community, mixing classics with modern hits while connecting listeners to local events. Even in the age of on-demand streaming, radio remains a powerful force for music discovery.
Over the years, Simi has nurtured a range of musicians. Punk rock made its mark with bands like Strung Out and Pulley, fronted by former MLB pitcher Scott Radinsky. The ‘90s alternative scene saw April’s Motel Room emerge with Black 14, while Rick Coonce of The Grass Roots brought a classic rock touch.
Today, country artist Justin Honsinger, a third-generation Simi resident, blends traditional and modern country in heartfelt performances.
What’s fascinating is that we no longer have to choose just one genre or era. The same playlist that starts with a Talking Heads classic can transition seamlessly into West African beats, classical symphonies, or hip-hop flows. Streaming has erased boundaries, allowing us to explore the full spectrum of human creativity—French folk, Latin rhythms, African grooves, American country, and everything in between.
What’s old is new again, and in this endless musical journey, I’m always discovering something that resonates.
What about you? What were your favorite artists in the 1980s, and what’s on your playlist now? And we know there are more musicians from Simi Valley—who else should be on this list? Share in the comments.
