The cool evening beach breeze hit us as we walked from Roosterfish toward the beach and the Townhouse. We entered the club and went downstairs to the red lit vintage speakeasy, The Del Monte. Local musician, and regular on the their stage, Matt Ellis and his engaging band was playing. It was a surefire way to heat up the night!

After the show, Matt took us backstage where we asked him about some of his favorite parts of Venice and the world.

JAM: Where are you from?

ME: I was born in Sydney, Australia. I’ve been based in Venice for the past 13 years.

JAM: What brings you to Venice? Why Venice?

ME: I first discovered Venice through skating as a teenager. I was living in pre-internet Hong Kong, surviving off hand-me-down Thrasher magazines and bad VHS dubs of Animal Chin and Wheels Of Fire. I was lucky enough to skate here in ’89, and when my music career brought me over to L.A. in 2005, it was a natural choice.

JAM: When did you start creating music?

ME: I formed my first band in high school when I was about 14. After a while, the music from those skate videos started making a real impact on me, and more time was spent reading the album reviews in the back of Thrasher. That’s really what planted the seed: early punk rock that was simple enough for us to learn, play and mimic when it came to early songwriting.

JAM: Do you have a favorite hangout in Venice?

ME: I love The Townhouse, especially if I can get in there for an early evening round (of) George’s killer Bloody Mary’s. Hinano up on Washington is a close second: the perfect Summer afternoon is a burger and beer at Hinano, bike ride down the beach to The Townie for cocktails, then retreat to the fire pit at home with a few friends.

Matt Ellis' new album, Rambler Pacifico, is available late summer 2018. Be sure to check out his band perform in a not to be missed live show.