Photo by Robert Sakatani
As a Los Angeles native I spent most of my life apologizing for my hometown, caving to the stereotypes and misconceptions of the city for the sake of social expediency. Now, as a post-college adult with a bit of experience living elsewhere, I can comfortably and proudly claim LA as my home. This is in no small part due to the blossoming of a new, exciting culture of queer art, music, and performance in Downtown Los Angeles and the East Side in general. Areas of the city many Angelenos wouldn't have known about or had cause to visit are now bastions of an incredible alternative queer scene, and orbiting right around the center is the imitable Ambrosia Salad.
Ambrosia's arrival in Los Angeles coincided with what many consider to be Downtown Los Angeles' queer renaissance. Her blend of otherworldly looks, truly next-level lip-syncing skills, and fantastic DJ sets, have people lining up in droves to get a taste of her salad. Her newest club night, Ambrosia Salad's Wet Burrito, a night of specially curated all Spanish-language rock, pop, disco, cumbia, ranchero, banda, and rarities, is primed to become another staple of LA nightlife.
Illustration by Juan Martin Matamoros
Take a look at what Ambrosia had to say about her move to Los Angeles, the difference between the West Hollywood scene and what's going on in other parts of the city, and what inspires her as an artist.
What initially brought you down from San Francisco to Los Angeles?
Basically just something and anything new. San Francisco was an amazing incubator for a young artistic faggot. A real Disneyland for gays. But after 11 years it was time to move on. I'll be forever grateful for all that city allowed me to do and become. Getting my start at Trannyshack, forming the House of Salad, and collaborating with countless artists was so vital. But I felt it was time to bring this complete package that I spent years collectively creating to a new market. I knew I didn't want to live in New York, and being a California native, LA just seemed like an easy jump. I came down here with zero expectations really, and I've been pleasantly surprised that I've really found a home and most importantly a community here.
What are the biggest differences between the West Hollywood nightlife scene and what's going on in Downtown and other areas of LA?
I almost feel like I've found a little bit of San Francisco in Downtown LA or even Silver Lake/Echo Park. The grittier, artsier, not-so serious approach to nightlife. Not as image driven. The bars, the parties, the drag, the crowds are all more my style. I don't feel like I'm walking into a circuit party every bar I go into. I kinda feel like Weho is for the tourist gay.
Photo by Shot In the City
Who and what are your biggest influences when performing as Ambrosia?
Shit I could write an American novel answering that question. Like all queens I'm sure, endless hours growing up watching MTV and movies, looking at fashion and music magazines. The list goes on of all the divas that struck a cord in me. Bjork, Lady Miss Kier, Shirley Manson. And all of them get regurgitated on stage, truly capturing their nuance. But my staple influences today in a nutshell are Róisín Murphy, Miss Piggy, and Jerri Blank.
How is it different for you when you DJ as Sindri than when you DJ as Ambrosia?
Oh haaay, good question. Well, you'll get the same type of music. That doesn't change really. Of course when I'm in drag you also get to watch a monster in heels and wig behind the decks. But quite honestly if I'm not in drag and DJing, you'll still get somewhat of a show. When I'm not being weighed down by pounds of costume, I feel more free to bust a move in the DJ booth, and you'll often catch me doing a twirl or high kick (if there's room). However, if the DJ booth is on the same platform as the stage and I am in drag, it's not uncommon for me to mix a surprise performance or two into my set. Leave the booth for an impromptu lip-sync, then go back and resume DJing!
Photo by Gabe Ayala
Do you think there is such a thing as an "alternative" drag scene, and if so what do you think differentiates alternative drag performers from the variety of drag one might see heavily represented on RuPaul's Drag Race?
Well I'm sure many of the queens who've been on RPDR were once themselves part of an "alternative" drag scene. Now they're mainstream. Which I guess in essence is the point of the show. I think for a while what the show was doing was portraying what 5 judges on a panel felt were their own personal idea of what drag is supposed to be. At least that's how I saw it. But maybe now they're starting to steer away from representing something so particular. (That's still debatable). But basically in my eyes what differentiates alternative drag versus drag on the show is, this is what "we" are doing and that is what "they" are doing. Whatever that may be.
You've performed all over the country - what cities have you enjoyed the most and why?
All over the world if you count Mexico, Italy, and Japan! But my favorite city to visit and perform at is Provincetown, Massachusetts. This July will be my 5th summer going and performing at Fagbash. It's just such a magical little town. And so full of history, both old and new. It really does attract a lot of like minded people and I've made so many amazing friends there. I can even say that a big part of how I've traveled all over the country has began with partying with people who were vacationing there just like me. Then they're inviting me to come to their town for some more party time!
Photo by Kevin Kauer
As the host of your own night in DTLA, you have a unique opportunity to see the changing scene there up close and personal. What are some of the biggest changes to nightlife in DTLA you've noticed since you first came to LA?
I mean I remember coming to LA 10 years ago and going to an underground party downtown and being like, "OMG where the fuck am I?!" Even when I moved here 3 years ago downtown still wasn't as bustling as it is now. But these days I spend a lot of time there. In fact as of a year ago I left my daytime job and have been living off of nightlife. Whether that's hosting parties, performing, DJing, etc. If it wasn't for the 3 new gay bars downtown, Precinct, Redline, and Bar Mattachine, which all opened last summer, I don't think that would be possible for me. And now that I have my own night at Bar Mattachine "Salad Saturdays", which is a weekly party I DJ with a different queen co-host performing every week, it really has turned downtown into a second home.
Where are some of your favorite spots in Los Angeles to enjoy yourself on a fine weekend evening that many people might not have heard of?
I love a good dive bar. Living in Koreatown there's a few little gems walking distance from my place that I like to take out of town guests to. The HMS Bounty is a cute little nautical themed bar on the bottom floor of the Gaylord building. Down the street from there The Prince is really gorgeous and has bomb fried chicken. It was even used in a scene from Chinatown. And I really like The Short Stop in Echo Park, where some friends and I throw a monthly party every third Tuesday called The Cafeteria. That bar also has a lot of mid-century scandals about murders and crooked cops! Good Times at Davey Wayne's in Hollywood is like walking onto the set of That 70's Show! But I also love a good underground warehouse party, like Spotlight or Making Shapes.
Photo by Shot In the City
Where do you see the future of queer LA nightlife heading?
I think LA is having it's own little renaissance right now. What's making it special is there's so many new people moving here and adding their own little flare to it. What's nice about it is that all the LA natives are very welcoming of that. So I see potential for a lot more to happen. New bars, clubs, parties, queens, shows, art, etc. It's anyone's game right now. Even downtown LA is having their own Gay Pride this summer! It's called DTLA Proud Festival, and it's happening on August 7th at Pershing Square. You can definitely find me there with the Bar Mattachine stage! It's a pretty rad time to live in LA right now.
Keep up with Ambrosia on her:
Facebook
Instagram
(amazing) Soundcloud