FOR ANYONE WHO EVER WANTED TO KNOW WHERE ATLANTA’S MUSICIANS HANG OUT IN OTHER AMERICAN CITIES – SO YOU CAN TOO

BUTCH WALKER

Compiled by Sara Minton and Angeline Vuong

When Butch Walker isn't gearing up for the release of his forthcoming album, 'Letters' that's due out this August 2004 or producing the next brilliant rockstars at Ruby Red Studios, he's jet settin' across the US. We asked him what places he'd like for us to give a whirl and this is what he said:

Favorite Cities: I love many. I'm a huge travel fan. Besides the ATL being so great and great to me, Chicago is a city with a lot of heart. NYC is incredible, and you get way too drunk due to cabs. LA ...Well, I wrote a whole new record about my experience with that place.

Restaurants You Recommend: Matsuhisa for sushi. It’s the best. Nobu Matsuhisa is the best chef in the field, which explains why Nobu NYC is the best sushi in the big apple. Same in London. ATL: Wisteria, One Midtown Kitchen , La Fonda, Olive Bistro, Aria (when I roll hard yo), and the Biscuit! Living in L5P for 10 years has its advantages.

Dressing For Sucess, shopping: I like hitting everywhere in NYC except uptown. Best shit is in college towns, at thrift stores. Less markup and better selection from all those jaded, trendy hipsters that don't have enough PBR money for the weekend, so you can score some good traded-in duds. I know, I’m a capitalist pig.

You can check out Butch's new website and tour dates at www.butchwalker.com

IN DEPTH:

Spaceland In LA
Spaceland's to LA what Lenny's is to Atlanta: A club with an adventurous booking policy and lack of proper ventilation. Located in the Silver Lake district of Los Angeles, Spaceland is often briming with rising rock stars, writers, and artists with odd haircuts. Despite the questionable decor, Spaceland is the premier dodgy club to catch buzz bands before they get huge.
Tip: Mondays are always free and don't forget your visine.
Address: 1717 Silverlake Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
For more info: 213-833-2843 || www.clubspaceland.com

Nobu In New York
Known as one of the most influential and creative sushi chefs across the globe, Nobuyuki Matsuhisa opened Nobu in New York City with his friend and co-owner/actor Robert DeNiro in 1994. Nobu offers a posh decor that's surprisingly calm, celebrity sightings from the well to do, and a menu that will have you strggling to make a decision. From black cod marinated in miso to their squid "pasta" dish, you can't go wrong...yum.
Tip: There's a place next door called Next Door Nobu.
Address: 105 Hudson St, New York, NY 10013
For more info: 212-219-0500 || www.nobumatsuhisa.com

Salvation Army
Shopping at thrift stores has become one the trendiest ways to shop these days. However, they used to be cheap and affordable. And now, well let’s face it, they’ve sold out on us. Now if you want to buy cost effective rock attire you need to visit Middle America. Take a trip to a college town or remote village that’s population is less than 5,000 and you’ll find some of the best clothes, and for cheap. Imagine Atlanta’s Clothing Warehouse in Little Five Points charging $2.00 for a shirt your grandfather used to wear.
Tip: If you’re paying more than $100 for an outfit then that’s not thrifty.
Address: Middle America
For more info: www.salvationarmyarc.org/stores/index.shtml