Younger generations are showing up in the voting booths less and less. In Santa Barbara, local politics are often bogged down by marathon city council meetings and debates over hot-button issues like the future of cars on State Street. If we want younger generations to get involved in politics, we need to know that the issues we care about are being discussed.

This is ‘Behind the Desk’, a very special ‘Santa Barbara Independent’ podcast that takes a different look at the coming Santa Barbara City elections and how it affects the residents of Santa Barbara.

Ryan Cruz is a reporter at the ‘Santa Barbara Independent’ who covers everything from politics to sports to immigration. His most recent cover story, “Written Off,” details his personal experience going into the Santa Barbara County Jail to lead a men’s creative writing group. He will now be moderating four political forums hosted by the Santa Barbara independent from September 17 to September 30, discussing important city issues with candidates running for mayor and three city council seats.

An April 18 you can eat delicious brunch food and support the journalism fellowship that made Welcome to Isla Vista possible! Gather at the historic Rancho La Patera and Stow House in Goleta from 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM on April 18. Don't forget to buy your tickets online on the Indy's website.

Introducing Breaking Tunes. The Bad Neighbors visited the Independent's news room for a live concert - check out the recording from that concert! The Bad Neighbors are featured in Episode 6 of Welcome to Isla Vista.

The Set List:

Seasons (0:00)

King of Nothing (4:33)

Landlord (9:25)

Overdose (12:37)