Meet Matt Hitchens from London who moved to LA seven years ago to pursue a music career.
Was there a particular reason you chose LA?
A friend of mine, who I was in a band with in the UK, just said to me one day that he thought we should try and move to LA. The band we were in had stalled and we weren’t playing much music at all at the time, and he thought this is the place to be so why not give it a go? I was in a job I hated and wasn’t tied down, so the chance to try something new and making a complete change was exactly what I needed. I thought that if I didn’t try, I’d always regret it.
What do you miss most from home?
My family. It’s been seven years here now, and I’m starting to miss them more and more. I also have a two-year-old nephew, and seeing the huge changes to him every time I go home gets pretty tough.
What was your first impression of LA and has it changed since?
That it was huge, fun, pretty dark in places, and everyone works in entertainment. It hasn’t really changed, you can still find something fun to do anytime you want, and everyone still loves to tell you about his or her “project”.
What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus London?
How spread out it is, and having to drive everywhere. Sometimes, the thought of driving across town for an hour to get somewhere can put you off leaving the house at all. Also, waking up every day and seeing the sun! You take it for granted after a while, but coming from the daily gloom and rain of London, it’s easy to underestimate how much good weather improves your mood and general mental well-being.
Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want to share with us?
The Huntington Gardens in Pasadena are a great place to get away from it all and relax for a few hours, and there’s a great dive bar on York Boulevard in Eagle Rock called Johnny’s that’s always a fun place to grab a drink.
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here?
Choose the right immigration lawyer because the visa process is terrible. Having to justify your right to stay every three years really takes its toll. You can do everything right, and tick all the boxes, but ultimately you just have to sit, wait, and hope that your work achievements are enough for some unknown person to decide whether you have to leave your new home. Find a good lawyer with a proven track record for the type of visa you are applying for, it will help remove as much of the stress as possible. I’ve used Kate Raynor and Associates for three 0-1 visas and they’ve always been great.
And make sure it’s really for you. Realistically, everyone is here trying to do the same thing, and there’s going to be a lot of disappointment, rejection and uncertainty, and the only chance of getting through it all is to just keep going. Even though it has been a hugely rewarding experience being out here, there have also been some of the toughest times I’ve ever experienced, so just be sure!
Lots of our members join our group Brits in LA seeking out words of wisdom – what is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Put everything you have into succeeding, so you can live with failure.
Lastly, how can we find out more about you? Are you working on anything at the moment?
I released my debut album and first two music videos at the end of 2019, and will be releasing more throughout 2020. For more information and links to everything, head to: diamondshake.com or soundcloud.com/diamond-shake and instagram @thediamondshake
