Backyard Party (BYP for those already in the know) is the latest move from Altadena Musicians, a non-profit organization founded by musician and composer Brandon Jay, which has been putting instruments back into people’s hands who lost everything in the Eaton fires. Now they’ve claimed a permanent home in Pasadena. It’s a room with a stage (more on that later) and PA, sure, but it’s also growing into a free music store with vinyl records, guitar and recording gear and more, all donated, a recording space, and a workshop spot where you can print a zine or learn to burn a silkscreen or sew a patch onto your jacket. It feels like a headquarters for whoever’s ready to get their hands dirty and create.
