Mission Valley — Not Hip to L.A. Indie Hit

Compared to her cramped apartment in L.A.’s trendy Silver Lake neighborhood, the Mission Valley condo that Lorelei Plotczyk (bassist-vocalist for indie band Film School) moved into is a welcome change.

“It’s in Mission Valley — not hip. I can’t tell you how refreshing that is. There is so much space and fresh air compared to what I’m used to,” writes Plotczyk in a September 17 email. “Our backyard is like a nature preserve.” Plotczyk shares the condo with her new husband, San Diego writer-musician James Meetze, and his 11-year-old son.

Plotczyk relocated just a week before she got married to Meetze, singer-guitarist for pop band Dreamtiger, on August 14.

“Initially we thought that [James and his son] would move to L.A. because, well, it’s L.A., and we are musicians. I work in television and James is a writer. But the more we thought about it, the more it made sense for us to be here.”

Transitioning to her new digs in San Diego won’t be easy, especially when it comes to her role in Film School.

“It’s a pain in the ass. I won’t lie. I’m a frequent traveler on the Pacific Surfliner train,” adds Plotczyk.

One bonus of living in San Diego is she won’t have to travel far to meet at the band’s new label, Hi-Speed Soul. The record label is located in San Diego and run by Eric Howarth, owner of M-Theory Music. On August 31, Hi-Speed Soul released Film School’s debut full-length Fission.

Film School kicked off a monthlong tour at the Casbah on September 19. Upon her return, Plotczyk looks forward to domestic life and writing songs with Meetze. The couple plan on recording soon under the moniker Weekend Wives. The side project, says Plotczyk, borrows inspiration from the Beach Boys and shoegaze indie rockers School of Seven Bells. “The vibe is retro harmonies but with modern beats and catchy guitar and vocal hooks...and lots of fun to play.”

Plotczyk and Meetze are also planning on recruiting a drummer for the project. The couple already have a keyboardist in mind. “If we can get James’s son to be our keyboard player, we could be the newest family-band sensation — stay tuned!”