When you truly love the place you call home, it stays with you, even if that place no longer exists. For Dawes singer Taylor Goldsmith and his brother, drummer Griffin Goldsmith, that truth became heartbreakingly real when they performed their 2011 ode to their hometown, “Time Spent in Los Angeles,” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on January 13th. This wasn’t just another live performance. It was a poignant, soul-baring tribute in the wake of unimaginable loss.
Less than a week earlier, the Goldsmith brothers lost everything. Taylor’s home studio and the band’s cherished musical equipment were destroyed, while Griffin’s home in Altadena burned to the ground during one of the most devastating wildfires to ever strike Los Angeles. Yet, on that Monday night, they took to the stage, stripped-down and raw, to deliver a performance that was as much about mourning as it was about resilience.
A Song That Now Feels Prophetic
As Taylor sat on a simple chair, acoustic guitar in hand, he began singing the melancholic opening lines of “Time Spent in Los Angeles”: “These days my friends don’t seem to know me / Without my suitcase in my hand / Where I am standing still / I seem to disappear.” Behind him, an image of a “Welcome to Altadena” postcard flashed on the screen, a visual reminder of the community they cherished and the place they had called home.
Throughout the performance, footage of firefighters battling the relentless blazes, displaced families sifting through ashes, and the sheer devastation caused by the Santa Ana winds played on the backdrop. Taylor’s voice, filled with grief and determination, carried the chorus: “But you got that special kind of sadness / You got that tragic set of charms / That only comes from times spent in Los Angeles / Makes me wanna wrap you in my arms.”
The Fires That Changed Everything
The wildfire that ravaged the Los Angeles area, dubbed the Eaton Fire, has already claimed more than 14,000 acres and at least 24 lives. At press time, officials report that only 33% of the fire has been contained, with more fierce winds threatening to fan the flames further. For the Goldsmith brothers and their close-knit community in Altadena, the loss is deeply personal. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to ash, including the homes of their family members and closest friends.
Griffin Goldsmith took to Instagram earlier this week to share his heartbreak. Alongside photos of the scorched remnants of his property, he wrote, “It’s impossible to express how much we’re feeling right now. We’ve lost everything. Eight years of memories made in our house. Twenty years of gear. My wife, Kit, was applying the finishing touches to the nursery for our baby boy who’s due in a few weeks. She had poured her heart and soul into making the property a literal piece of paradise.”
The devastation goes far beyond material loss. Griffin’s family had created a community in Altadena, convincing their parents, lifelong friends, and even their first crew member to settle nearby. All of their homes are now gone. “The thing we mourn the most is the loss of the community,” he added, a sentiment echoed by many Angelenos grappling with similar heartbreak.
A Moment of Catharsis
Despite their grief, Dawes accepted the invitation to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live! hoping their music could offer some solace to others. In an Instagram post before their appearance, they explained, “In an incredibly dark time, @jimmykimmellive has asked us to come sing a song about the city we love tonight. It’s not a joyous occasion for music, but hopefully a cathartic one amidst all this chaos.”
For Taylor and Griffin, “Time Spent in Los Angeles” has always been a love letter to their hometown. On this night, the song took on new meaning. It wasn’t just about the city’s charms and quirks; it was about its resilience and the deep bonds forged in its neighborhoods. The stripped-down performance, with Taylor’s acoustic guitar and Griffin’s understated drumming, underscored the raw emotion of the moment. There were no elaborate stage setups or flashy visuals—just two brothers baring their souls for a city in mourning.
A City United in Support
In the face of such destruction, Los Angeles has rallied together to support those impacted by the fires. MusiCares, in coordination with the Recording Academy, has launched the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort to help musicians who have lost their homes, studios, and equipment. The initiative kicked off with a $1 million pledge, providing immediate assistance to music professionals, including up to $1,500 in financial aid and $500 in food vouchers.
Jimmy Kimmel himself addressed the tragedy during the show’s opening monologue, fighting back tears as he praised the bravery of the firefighters risking their lives to protect others. “This isn’t just a news story,” he said. “It’s personal. My staff, my neighbors, my friends—they’ve all been affected. But what I’ve seen over the past week is a city coming together in ways that remind us of what’s truly important.”
The Kimmel team has set up a fire relief donation center on the show’s backlot, collecting essential items for those displaced by the fires. Donations have poured in, from clothing and blankets to baby supplies and pet food, reflecting the city’s collective determination to rebuild.
A Devastating Toll
The wildfires have caused untold damage to the Los Angeles area. Entire neighborhoods have been obliterated, schools and businesses reduced to rubble, and families left with nothing but memories. For Griffin Goldsmith and his wife, the loss is particularly cruel. Just weeks away from welcoming their first child, they are now grappling with the reality of starting over from scratch.
Taylor’s wife, actress and singer Mandy Moore, has also shared her sorrow. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she wrote about fleeing the fires with her family and expressed gratitude for their safety while mourning the destruction of their children’s school, their friends’ homes, and the beloved city of Altadena. “This isn’t just about homes and belongings,” she wrote. “It’s about the people, the memories, the places that make this city our home. Altadena isn’t just where we live—it’s who we are.”
Looking Ahead
As Los Angeles begins the long process of recovery, the Goldsmith brothers’ performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! serves as a poignant reminder of the power of music to heal and unite. For Dawes, the road ahead will be challenging. Rebuilding their homes and lives will take time, but their love for Los Angeles remains unshaken.
In the face of unimaginable loss, their music offers a glimmer of hope, a testament to the city’s enduring spirit. “Time Spent in Los Angeles” may have been written years ago, but on that Monday night, it became an anthem for a community determined to rise from the ashes.