Kiwi Music Manager Found His Dream in LA's House Scene

A New Zealander who moved to Los Angeles for the music ended up living the dream he barely dared to imagine.

Louis Godfrey packed his bags and left home 3.5 years ago with one clear goal: get closer to the heart of the global house music scene. Today, he manages the creative and business side of FISHER, the Australian DJ who's become one of electronic music's biggest names.

The Marina Del Rey resident chose his LA neighborhood strategically. It sits perfectly between the beach and LAX airport, ideal for someone who spends their time traveling the world to host massive music events.

The adjustment wasn't instant. Godfrey admits it took a full year to feel comfortable navigating LA's sprawling landscape, so different from the compact cities back home.

His typical day involves managing one of dance music's hottest acts, but his off hours look pretty Californian. He surfs, hits the gym, catches concerts, and explores the city's famous Korean BBQ spots in Koreatown.

Why This Inspires

Godfrey's story shows what happens when you follow your passion with commitment. He didn't just move for a change of scenery. He relocated to be where the action happens, accepting LA's notorious traffic and sky-high rent as the price of admission to an industry he loves.

His advice for visitors reveals someone who's fully embraced his adopted home. Walk the beach from Venice to Santa Monica. Drive through the Hollywood Hills. Catch a live show, any show, because LA's music scene never stops.

The trade-offs are real. He misses hearing "kia ora, bro" and finding a proper meat pie. The Kiwi summer holds a special place in his heart, one of those things you don't fully appreciate until distance puts it in perspective.

But when you're managing world tours and throwing parties that thousands of people travel to experience, those sacrifices feel worth it.

Godfrey recommends visiting LA in September or October, when summer's heat mellows and the city hits its stride. For the full experience, he suggests trying a Waymo, the self-driving cars that still blow his mind.

His journey proves that sometimes the biggest career moves start with a simple decision to be where your passion lives.