This week’s Meet a Member is Sophie Poteratchi who lives in London (currently!).
Since you don’t live in Los Angeles, how did you end up joining Brits in LA?
When I first visited LA on holiday, I fell in love with the city (and the people!) and immediately made a decision to spend much more time there. I ended up starting a business (City String Ensemble) and living between Los Angeles and London for 2 years until 2020 hit!
Have you ever visited Los Angeles? – If so, we’d love to hear what your impression was.
To me, LA is a good balance between city life and more laid-back relaxed living. The proximity to stunning nature is really special and I feel Angelenos are so privileged to have all this (nature and city life) right on their doorstep! Of course, the constant blue skies and sun really help – people are so positive and upbeat. There really is a feeling that you can accomplish anything and from my experience, the people that I have met on my journey have gone out of their way to help me. They say that they’re “just passing it on” which is a beautiful sentiment and not something I had experienced in my entire life in London.
Do you think you could ever see yourself moving to LA, if not tell us what keeps you in London?
Absolutely! I love driving and so I really like the fact that LA is a driving city and don’t mind the traffic at all. Sitting in traffic looking out at mountains or the ocean is OK with me! As I’ve already spent a lot of time in LA and (semi-living) there, I know that I would love to make a more permanent move. Somehow, a balance between living in Los Angeles and London would be the dream although I much prefer winters in London as I cannot live without proper central heating!
Do you have a hidden gem that you want to share with us?
My hidden gem would be my favourite breakfast spot after a hike in Topanga Canyon. The Topanga Living Café is my go-to resting and refuelling station after my favourite hike in LA (Eagle Rock). That, and the very peaceful beach spot at the end of Venice beach in Marina Del Rey. Park on Via Marina and it’s totally peaceful!
Why would you recommend other overseas/out of town readers joining Brits in LA?
Brits in LA is a community of wonderful people. I really met a lot of interesting people through the group and have always received great advice whenever I have had a question about how things work in LA or needed help with something. If you’re thinking of visiting or moving to LA then Brits in LA should be your first port of call for any help you need.
We hear you’ve been working on an exciting project. Care to tell us more about it?
During lockdown, my string ensemble business (City String Ensemble) created many collaborations with UK swing band, Down For The Count. We recorded charity Lockdown EPs and a Christmas album and I personally created fun lockdown performance videos of the songs to share with people during such a challenging year. Each video had more than 10k views and we have a livestream concert, performed in London’s Cadogan Hall of our Christmas album which will be released for viewing (worldwide) very soon.
In addition, as a string ensemble, we are releasing our aptly named debut EP, “Twenty Twenty” at the start of 2021 which showcases our love of modern pop hits such as; Destiny’s Child Survivor, Stevie Wonder’s Superstition and a very special James Bond mashup of recent Bond songs and famous themes of old.
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?
1. It is what it is (accept it)
2. Focus on and harvest the good
3. Forgive all the rest
Lastly, how can we find you on the internet?
Instagram: @sophie_yasmin @citystringensemble
