37°46′08″N 122°27′10″W / 37.76892°N 122.45265°W / 37.76892; -122.45265
61-477: Amoeba Music is an American independent music store chain with locations in Berkeley , San Francisco , and Hollywood, Los Angeles, California . It stocks media, primarily music, but also films and television programs via DVD and VHS . Its music selection includes rock , pop , blues , soul , funk , rap , and jazz . It is popular as a tourist destination for fans of physical media or music in general. It
122-607: A do-it-yourself approach to music creation, which originated from the liberties afforded by independent record labels . Indie music describes a number of related styles, but generally describes guitar-oriented music straying away from mainstream conventions. There are a number of subgenres of independent music which combine its characteristics with other genres, such as indie pop , indie rock , indie folk , and indie electronic . The origins of independent music lie in British independent record labels, such as Rough Trade and Mute . In
183-600: A buyer of international records for Amoeba's Berkeley location. The stores also trade-in movies, though secondarily to their music business. Each location has a smaller collection of movies on DVD , VHS , Laserdisc , and Blu-ray . In addition, each store maintains a selection of music-related posters and artwork for purchase, as well as Amoeba-branded merchandise. The Sunset Boulevard store had an entire second floor dedicated to DVD and Blu-ray at its original location. In addition, Amoeba Music frequently held free shows during store hours with locally- and nationally-known artists from
244-411: A direct, do-it-yourself manner allowing creative distribution. There is the potential for artists to gain large numbers of streams on Spotify if their music are included in certain popular playlists. For both independent and major labels, the label generally owns the copyright to the sound recording. Artists who maintain their copyrights usually must sacrifice other parts of their deal, and must give
305-593: A distinct musical style found in indie music, which was influenced by post-punk and new wave . Important albums that contributed to this style include Joy Division 's Unknown Pleasures (1979) and Depeche Mode 's Speak & Spell (1981). Released on Rough Trade, Inflammable Material (1979) was the first independently-released album to sell over 100,000 copies. By the 1980s, the indie pop band The Smiths , signed with Rough Trade, "came to exemplify indie both musically and culturally" according to The Conversation . The Smith's authentic sound contrasted with
366-669: A long history of promoting developments in popular music, stretching back to the post-war period in the United States, with labels such as Sun Records , King Records , and Stax . In the United Kingdom during the 1950s and 1960s, the major record companies had so much power that independent labels struggled to become established, until the launch of new labels like Virgin Records . Several British producers and artists launched independent labels as outlets for their work and artists they liked;
427-452: A new location for its Los Angeles store on Hollywood Boulevard at Argyle Avenue. It is located inside of a newly constructed apartment complex, the El Centro. The store's vast collections of music CDs, LPs, DVDs, and books were temporarily in storage during construction at the new site during 2020 and 2021. The new location opened on April 1, 2021. The new Amoeba Music store is located near
488-423: A partnership. One issue is that artists often forgo their mechanical royalties in 50-50 deals, and it can be more difficult to recoup the advance, meaning it takes longer to turn a profit. Some labels forgo a formal contract altogether, and their deals include few restrictions. Independent music is a broad category that is made up of distinct subgenres with influences from various other genres. Indie pop
549-521: A pedestrian friendly streetscaping redesign. LADOT's plan focuses on the eastern section of Hollywood Boulevard between Gower Street and east past Vermont Avenue . Plans are to add safety instruments, continental crosswalks and pedestrian friendly alert striping. The entire route is in Los Angeles , Los Angeles County . A popular event that takes place on the Boulevard is the complete transformation of
610-665: A portion of Hollywood Boulevard was listed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District . In 1992, the street was paved with glittery asphalt between Vine Street and La Brea Boulevard. The El Capitan Theatre was refurbished in 1991 then damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake . The full El Capitan building was fully restored and upgraded in December 1997 . The Hollywood Entertainment District,
671-733: A scene or movement, and often combines influences from a variety of genres. It has origins in the 1990s, with artists like Stereolab , Arab Strap , and Disco Inferno contributing to the style. Indietronica largely grew in popularity in the 2000s, with the rising accessibility to home recording and software synthesizers . Influential artists of this era include Hot Chip , Metronomy , and The Postal Service . Some 2010s artists achieved wider success with their music, for example, James Blake and The xx . Indietronica artists usually release their music on independent labels, with examples including Sub Pop , Warp , and Ghostly International . Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood Boulevard
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#1732927918122732-632: A self-taxing business improvement district, was formed for the properties from La Brea to McCadden on the boulevard. The Hollywood extension of the Metro Red Line subway was opened in June 1999, running from Downtown Los Angeles to the San Fernando Valley . Stops on Hollywood Boulevard are located at Western Avenue , Vine Street , and Highland Avenue . Metro Local lines 180 and 217 also serve Hollywood Boulevard. A light rail extension station
793-477: A variety of methods of distribution, with the label generally owning the copyright for the sound recording. They generally give smaller advances , or sometimes no advance, and some may offer higher royalty splits than major labels. Although "Indie" was first used to described music released on independent record labels, the term grew to describe a specific sound because of the creative freedom of its initial bands and artists. A defining characteristic of indie music
854-511: A wide variety of genres. In 2015, Amoeba sold the Sunset Boulevard property to a holding company but continued to lease the space. In 2018, it was announced that the owners would demolish the site and replace it with a contemporary glass-and-steel tower with residential units and commercial space, and Amoeba would be moving. On April 27, 2020, Amoeba announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic ,
915-581: Is a major east–west street in Los Angeles, California . It runs through the Hollywood , East Hollywood , Little Armenia , Thai Town , and Los Feliz districts. Its western terminus is at Sunset Plaza Drive in the Hollywood Hills and its eastern terminus is at Sunset Boulevard in Los Feliz. Hollywood Boulevard is famous for running through the tourist areas in central Hollywood, including attractions such as
976-513: Is a style of folk music which originated in the 1990s with artists like Elliott Smith and Will Oldham . The genre grew from traditional and contemporary folk , but took a distinctly independent approach inspired by indie rock. The genre gained further popularity and support in the 2000s from labels such as Saddle Creek , Barsuk , and Sub Pop . Notable 21st century indie folk artists include Fleet Foxes , Bon Iver , Great Lake Swimmers , Sufjan Stevens , and Phoebe Bridgers . Indie folk
1037-451: Is a style of rock music and is one of the most popular independent music genres. It originally grew out of the alternative rock , punk rock , and independent movements of the 1980s, with local scenes emerging in many American cities and college towns . The New Zealand Dunedin sound of the 1970s and 80s was also influential in indie rock's development. By the 1990s, indie rock had separated from alternative rock and gained popularity in
1098-598: Is a style of pop music that originally grew out of British post-punk in the late 1970s. Indie pop was one of the first independent music genres, and was initially synonymous with "indie". Indie pop is characterized by a focus on melody , arrangements, and harmony , with less angst and distortion as compared to indie rock . It features the homemade intimacy commonly found in independent music. Notable subgenres include chamber pop , which adds lush chamber orchestration , and twee pop , which features "primitive simplicity". Indie rock (also referred to as simply "indie")
1159-419: Is centered along the six blocks of Hollywood Boulevard between Western and Normandie Avenues. After crossing Vermont Avenue, Hollywood Boulevard heads southeast to its eastern terminus at Sunset Boulevard. Three B (Red) Line Metro Rail stations are located on Hollywood Boulevard: Hollywood/Highland station , Hollywood/Vine station , and Hollywood/Western station . Part of today's Hollywood Boulevard
1220-404: Is distinguished by its acoustic instrumentation – and often consists of just vocals and acoustic guitar – although some artists experiment with more diverse instrumentation. As well, indie folk artists are often singer-songwriters . Indie electronic , also known as indietronica, is a broad categorization of music that combines independent and electronic music styles. It is not considered
1281-500: Is proposed at the Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. intersection connection the boulevard with West Hollywood, Central LA and LAX. An anti-cruising ordinance prohibits driving on parts of the boulevard more than twice in four hours. Beginning in 1995, then Los Angeles City Council member Jackie Goldberg initiated efforts to clean up Hollywood Boulevard and reverse its decades-long slide into disrepute. Central to these efforts
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#17329279181221342-420: Is that artists have less to pay back, and therefore can begin to profit quicker. There are a number of ways that an independent label may structure their contract. Some independent labels have contracts that are essentially equivalent to major label deals. On a major label, a typical royalty rate (what the artist takes) is 13% to 16%; however, some independent labels offer 50-50 splits, which functions more as
1403-540: Is that artists retain much more creative control over their music as compared to major labels. Bands often have small budgets, and employ a do-it-yourself ethos which influences their sound. Indie music generally represents guitar-oriented music which strays away from commercial conventions. It often features lyrics that are earnest and emotive, with many cultural and sociopolitical references. Many artists signed to major labels have retained creative control and are still considered indie artists. Independent labels have
1464-546: The Broadway Hollywood Building . By 1930 the shopping district consisted of over 300 stores. The area would later face competition from areas along Wilshire Boulevard : the easternmost around Bullocks Wilshire which opened in 1929, second the Miracle Mile , and finally, the shopping district of Beverly Hills , where Saks Fifth Avenue opened a store in 1938. The following diagram, based on an artistic map by
1525-529: The Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Ovation Hollywood shopping and entertainment complex. Hollywood Boulevard's western terminus is at Sunset Plaza Drive in the Hollywood Hills . It then runs as a winding residential street down to Laurel Canyon Boulevard . The boulevard then proceeds due east as a major thoroughfare through Hollywood and its popular tourist areas. Part of this segment has been listed in
1586-546: The Hollywood Walk of Fame near the entrance to Amoeba Music store on March 31, 2022. George Clinton , Woody Harrelson , and Bob Forrest unveiled the star at the ceremony. Amoeba's YouTube channel was created on January 27, 2006, and is home to interviews, recordings of live performances at Amoeba locations, and the Webby Award — winning series What's In My Bag? with various "featuring artists and tastemakers sharing what they found shopping at Amoeba." The Hollywood store
1647-487: The U.S. National Register of Historic Places as part of Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District . The fifteen blocks between La Brea Avenue east to Gower Street is part of the Hollywood Walk of Fame . The Ovation Hollywood shopping and entertainment complex, the home of the Dolby Theatre , is located at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue . And the intersection with Vine Street
1708-401: The 1970s, these labels contributed to the emergence of a distinct sound, influenced by post-punk and new wave . NME released the influential compilation album C86 in 1986, and helped with indie's spread and development. American independent music first emerged in the 1980s, and was spread via college radios . Styles that evolved out of indie music and reached wide commercial success in
1769-578: The 1990s include grunge ( Nirvana , Pearl Jam , and the Smashing Pumpkins ) and Britpop ( Blur , Pulp , and Oasis ). In the 21st century, due to the internet, indie music saw a global spread in popularity, as music fans were no longer dependent on physical publications to find new music. Independent record labels , important to the development of indie music, are characterized by their smaller operations, lower funding, and greater creative control as compared to major labels . Independent labels use
1830-736: The Academy Award ceremony at the Dolby Theatre. Similar to other cities in the US, like Third Street Promenade , Fremont Street in Las Vegas, Market St. in San Francisco or the closure in Times Squares Pedestrian Plaza's created in 2015. In June 2019, The City of Los Angeles commissioned Gensler architects to provide a master plan for a $ 4 million renovation to improve and "update
1891-503: The Hollywood Boulevard Association, and on newspaper advertisements shows the major businesses along Hollywood Boulevard, from the intersection with Vine Street to the intersection with La Brea Avenue, in 1927 or 1928. There are a few relevant notes about major buildings added after 1928. Numbers from 6100–7200 are addresses on Hollywood Boulevard. Dates indicate years of opening, except dates with an asterisk indicate that
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1952-475: The Sunset Boulevard location was closed permanently ahead of schedule. Along with the statewide stay-at-home order issued by California governor Gavin Newsom in the COVID-19 pandemic , many non-essential stores were told to close to prevent spread of COVID-19 . Amoeba subsequently started a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe to pay the bills, as most of their income is derived from in-store purchases. Amoeba found
2013-458: The Town of Hollywood opened the new macadamized road surface with electric railway that ran down its center between Laurel Canyon and Western. Eventually, the road was widened from 20 feet wide to almost 100 feet wide in some areas. In 1903, Hollywood became a municipality, and Prospect Avenue became sometimes called as the Boulevard of Hollywood, albeit unofficially. In 1910, the town of Hollywood
2074-533: The UK, this music was not referred to as "indie" until the 2000s. Indie music reached wide commercial success in the 1990s, especially with Britpop bands like Blur , Pulp , and Oasis . As well, American grunge bands like Nirvana , Pearl Jam , and The Smashing Pumpkins received mainstream success. In 1991, the Grammys added an Alternative section to its awards ceremony, for "non-traditional form[s]" existing "outside of
2135-424: The boulevard. They also proposed a street mechanism to able to temporarily close the boulevard on pedestrian high capacity days or events where a street closure was approved. Creating public plazas and car free zones. Phase three would disallow east-west travel thru the boulevard but still allow north-south travel along its major intersections, Highland Avenue, Cahuanga Boulevard and Vine Street. The approved phase one
2196-444: The chances of greater success. There are a few ways an independent label may go about distributing its music. Some independent labels are owned by major labels, who carry out the distribution for them. Other labels instead go through independent distributors. Many current artists use their own resources to produce, record, market and release music through Spotify , SoundCloud , and other streaming platforms with social media in
2257-631: The common highly produced pop music of the time. The UK Indie Chart was first compiled in 1980, and independent distribution became better organized from the late 1970s onward. In 1986, NME released the compilation album C86 , which was influential to the development of indie music. In the United States, independent music was first spread by in the 1980s by college radios and thus dubbed college rock (also later termed modern rock and alternative rock ). Defining American albums of this era include Sonic Youth 's Daydream Nation (1988) and Pixies ’ Doolittle (1989). However, unlike
2318-525: The cost of smaller budgets and personnel. They are often able to support artists working in niche styles of music, and rely heavily on personal networking, or word of mouth , to expose their acts. Indie labels are usually small operations, with almost no outside assistance and run out of tiny offices. Some artists choose to go from an independent label to a major label if given the opportunity, as major labels have considerably more power and financial means to promote and distribute products, sometimes increasing
2379-529: The establishment was in operation that year according to the source document consulted. continued in next column In 1946, Gene Autry , while riding his horse in the Hollywood Christmas Parade — which passes down Hollywood Boulevard each year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving — heard young parade watchers yelling, "Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus!" and
2440-623: The few years leading up to 2007, more than $ 2 billion was spent on projects in the neighborhood, including mixed-use retail and apartment complexes and new schools and museums. In 2021, the Vogue Theatre , on Hollywood Boulevard, at Las Palmas, reopened as the Vogue Multicultural Museum . Renovations of the Hollywood and Highland Center began in 2020. The renovated complex was renamed Ovation Hollywood in 2022. In 2022, for
2501-447: The label a temporary license to the recordings. An advance is a pre-payment of royalties from the label for the artist to record the album; it is paid back through the album's royalties. Independent labels generally give out much smaller advances than major labels, if any. Additionally, some independent labels will cover an album's recording costs instead of proving a set dollar amount as an advance. One advantage of smaller advances
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2562-695: The mainstream music consciousness". The internet 's ease of spreading information influenced indie music's popularization in the United States and global spread. Music fans no longer relied on publications or magazines to hear about new artists. At the beginning of the 21st century, the term indie came to describe a number of related but distinct subgenres . One example is indie folk , a stripped-back low fidelity approach to folk music , as seen in Fleet Foxes or Bon Iver 's first album, For Emma, Forever Ago . Widely popular indie rock bands of this era include Arcade Fire and Arctic Monkeys . By this time,
2623-487: The mainstream, pushed along by the popularity of Seattle's grunge scene, especially Nirvana . Notable artists of the 2000s included The Strokes , Yeah Yeah Yeahs , and the Arctic Monkeys , while some of the 2010s included The 1975 and Vampire Weekend . Indie rock went onto inspire a multitude of subgenres and derivative styles, such as dream pop , noise pop , lo-fi , math rock , emo , and more. Indie folk
2684-415: The majority failed as commercial ventures or were bought by the major labels. During the punk rock era, the number of independent labels grew. In 1977, Manchester -band Buzzcocks released Spiral Scratch , considered the first independently released rock release. In the late 1970s, certain UK independent labels (such as Rough Trade , Factory , Fiction , and Mute ) contributed to the emergence of
2745-406: The popular Pantages Theatre in the Hollywood and Vine area. Continuing the tradition of free live shows for customers at the store, the new Amoeba Music frequently holds free shows during store hours with locally- and nationally-known artists from a wide variety of genres. The band Red Hot Chili Peppers gave a free live performance at the store for Amoeba Music customers after receiving a star on
2806-521: The proposed redevelopment. They announced the addition of bus only lanes, bikes lanes and the removal of additional street parking to add sidewalk space for pedestrians. Restructure of lanes to be completed by 2025. Phase three build out has not been announced, pending funding. Also in East Hollywood area, another plan for boulevard revitalization is planned. LA DOT announced "Vision Zero" in August 2023,
2867-475: The return of the LA Pride parade to the boulevard, the city installed multi colored lighting to more than 100 trees to illuminate for special events. Advocates promote the idea of closing Hollywood Boulevard to traffic and create a Pedestrian zone from La Brea Avenue to Highland Avenue citing an increase in pedestrian traffic including tourism, weekly movie premiers and award shows closures, including 10 days for
2928-731: The streetscape concept" for the Walk of Fame between the Pantages Theater (Gower Avenue) at the east and The Emerson Theatre (La Brea Avenue) at the west end of the boulevard. Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell released the draft master plan designed by Gensler and Studio-MLA in January 2020. The city's Bureau of Engineers proposed a three phase approach to implement the changes. This included adding bike lanes, new landscaping, removing lanes of car traffic, sidewalk widening by removing street parking and art-deco designed street pavers to beautify
2989-400: The term indie had transcended the definition of solely independently released music, and came to represent a "general resistance to popular and mainstream culture, evoking realism, independence and authenticity". An independent record label is one that operates outside of the funding and creative control of major record labels . Independent labels generally have greater creative freedom, at
3050-675: The three themed theaters: Egyptian , El Capitan ("The Captain") (1926), and Chinese . Starting around 1920, the boulevard and adjacent streets became a major regional shopping district, both for everyday needs and appliances, but increasingly also for high-end clothing and accessories, in part because of the nearby film studios. Chains that opened includes Schwab's in 1921, Mullen & Bluett in 1922, I. Magnin in 1923, Myer Siegel in 1925, F. W. Grand and Newberry's (dime stores) in 1926–8, and Roos Brothers in 1929. The independent Robertson's department store, at 46,000 square feet (4,300 m ) and 4 stories tall, opened in 1923. In 1922, stock
3111-499: The time of its opening, the store planned to stock as many as 250,000 titles, which would have placed it among the largest independent music stores in the world. According to Los Angeles Times writer Michael Hiltzik , the location "instantly became a Hollywood landmark." Amoeba's world music department was headed by Robert Leaver, co-founder of the Round World Music record shop and label in San Francisco. He also worked as
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#17329279181223172-425: Was called Prospect Avenue, a dusty road that ran through Hollywood towards the neighboring city of Los Angeles . In December 1899, a new railroad construction began to connect Hollywood with Los Angeles in a project that was led by Peter Beveridge, H.J. Whitley , and Griffith J. Griffith . In May 1900, the railroad connecting Hollywood and Los Angeles was completed, and another one was under construction. In 1901,
3233-482: Was completed and removed parking lanes between Orange Drive and Gower Street in 2022. New district council member for Hollywood, Hugo Soto-Martinez continued with the revitalization plan after defeating O'Farrell in the 2022 election cycle. A motion was filed June 30, 2023 to implement a tax district to continue funding the master plans phase two and three. In early March 2024, council member Hugo Soto-Martinez announced "Access to Hollywood" plan. Commencing phase two of
3294-741: Was designed by comic book artist Shepherd Hendrix. Primarily operating on reselling used goods , Amoeba has survived the decline of CD sales since the early 2000s with its trade-in program and the advent of the vinyl revival . A second location, in San Francisco, opened on November 15, 1997, in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood near Golden Gate Park . It is located in the former 24,000-square-foot (2,200 m) Park Bowl bowling alley . It regularly stocks upwards of 100,000 CDs , vinyl records , and audio cassettes , both new and used . A third location, in Los Angeles , opened on November 17, 2001, on Sunset Boulevard at Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood. At
3355-476: Was founded in 1990 in Berkeley , California , and remains in operation, having survived the decline of CD sales in the 2000s . Amoeba stores generally focus on vinyl and compact discs . Amoeba Music was founded by former employees of nearby Rasputin Records and opened on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley in 1990. The original founding members were Marc Weinstein, Dave Prinz, and Mike Boyder. The iconic Amoeba logo
3416-470: Was included as a playable venue in the 2008 music game Guitar Hero World Tour . Paul McCartney recorded his EP Amoeba's Secret (which was also released as Amoeba Gig in its entirety in 2019) at an unannounced live performance at the Hollywood location on June 27, 2007. Independent music Independent music (also commonly known as indie music , or simply indie ) is a broad style of music characterized by creative freedoms, low-budgets, and
3477-582: Was incorporated into Los Angeles, and Prospect Avenue was officially renamed Hollywood Boulevard. In the early 1920s, real estate developer Charles E. Toberman (the "Father of Hollywood") envisioned a thriving Hollywood theater district. Toberman was involved in 36 real estate development projects while building the Max Factor Salon , Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and the Hollywood Masonic Temple . He partnered with Sid Grauman , and they opened
3538-444: Was inspired to write " Here Comes Santa Claus " with Oakley Haldeman . In 1958, the Hollywood Walk of Fame , which runs from La Brea Avenue east to Gower Street (and an additional three blocks on Vine Street ), was created as a tribute to artists working in the entertainment industry. In the 1970s, the street became very seedy and was frequented by many odd characters as shown in pictures by photographer Ave Pildas. In 1984,
3599-550: Was once a symbol of Hollywood itself. East of Gower Street, Hollywood Boulevard crosses the Hollywood Freeway ( US 101 ) before running through East Hollywood . The portion of the boulevard between the Hollywood Freeway and Vermont Avenue forms the northern boundary of Little Armenia , while the portion between Western Avenue and Sunset Boulevard forms part of the southern boundary of Los Feliz . Thai Town
3660-468: Was sold to finance construction of a much larger department store at Hollywood and Vine , originally to have been a Boadway Bros. When Boadway's went out of business the next year, B. H. Dyas , a Downtown Los Angeles –based department store, opened in the 130,000-square-foot (12,000 m ) building in March 1928, then sold their lease to The Broadway in 1931 – the building still a landmark today, known as
3721-513: Was the construction of the Hollywood and Highland Center and adjacent Dolby Theatre (originally known as the Kodak Theatre) in 2001. In the summer of 2005, the city made revamping plans on Hollywood Boulevard for future tourists. The three-part plan was to exchange the original streetlights with red stars into two-headed old-fashioned streetlights, put in new palm trees, and put in new stoplights. The renovations were completed in late 2005. In
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