[“peek-a-boo” Photo by Monica Orozco]
“A Night Like This” by the Cure
I was a late bloomer in everything.
I was in one of those nondescript relationships when I was 18 or 19. He was the first person who would take me to concerts and clubs. Although it wasn’t the greatest relationship, I am glad he existed for that. To show me those things. Because I wouldn’t have been exposed to that life otherwise.
He loved all of this dark shit. He loved Death Rock/Goth/Industrial but also had a soft spot for music from the B52’s and Taylor Dayne. He introduced me to a variety of music.
He used to take me to the goth club in Hollywood called Helter Skelter*. Oh my god, I was just thinking how awesome these clubs were back then. We were the valley kids escaping to Hollywood.
As I look back, escaping is something I’m really into. Helter Skelter was like no other place. Everyone was dressed up and totally played the part of being vampires. I saw some of the most wonderful creations and witnessed some of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in my life. There was something so magical to witness a world where you could be so different. They had their own culture which I found to be so rebellious and so cool and for the first time in my life I experienced something creative. I wanted to be a part of it, says the latina chacha girl that was ready to shed her old skin.
5songprjct: I feel like there are certain music genres that become a whole lifestyle.
Monica: Yeah. The fashion was really awesome, I never saw anything like it anywhere else. The dancing was so important as a way of expressing yourself. It was tribal and in slow-motion. This scene was all about escaping reality. In day time you are one person at night you were a sexy vampire badass. People were very creative and went all out in becoming these other people. I didn’t really look the part. I didn’t have pale skin, blue eyes, and straight black hair but it didn’t matter. Everyone there was very accepting and believe it or not, very welcoming. We were all misfits trying to be a part of something.
This whole experience was about observing. I loved the dressing up. The dress-up element triggered something in me. Now that I shoot these self-portraits, I realize that these clubs were an important part of my visual education. I didn’t go to no fashion school or art school, I learned everything from being in my city. I saw how people would express themselves with clothing and wigs. This awakened something in me. It was Hollywood at its best. It was awesome. I wish now I would have gone more times. I didn’t realize then how lucky I was to be in L.A. at this time.
Recently I started wondering what happened to this girl named Scarlett. Scarlett had long red hair and was the most gorgeous woman I had ever seen in my life. She was probably 19 or 20 at the time and dated the DJ at Helter Skelter. She literally was like the fucking queen of the place and he was the king. Everyone was in awe of her. I wondered what it was like to be her. I totally wanted to be Scarlett. I wonder what happened to her. What happened to fucking Scarlett?
I chose “A Night Like This” because besides the introduction to The Cure, the ultimate Goth band, when I hear this song it takes me back to that time of being lusted so hard by that boyfriend. It felt like I was somebody’s drug and that was intoxicating. We had an off-and-on relationship for about 5-7 years. Those make up after break up sessions were the ultimate high. It’s interesting to look back and see how all my serious relationships had that one thing in common. They all lasted about 4-5 years. On and off. I guess I was addicted to the making up part. It became my drug. I don’t recommend it.
Scarlett are you out there?
TODAY is our first question of the week which you can find on Five Song Project’s Facebook page at 2:00 p.m. PST. I hope you play along. And come back tomorrow to learn why “Down by the Water” was chosen
*=link removed for Helter Skelter since publication of this post
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