San Diego IndieFest (http://sandiegoindiefest.com/) is the brainchild of Alicia Champion, President and Founder of Champ Records, and Danielle Lo Presti, President and Founder of Say It Records. As the front woman of Danielle LoPresti & The Masses, Danielle's work has paved the way for some serious field time in an effort to empower and enrich the independent music scene in California, with an emphasis on an ever more concrete connection between the arts and social activism. The prodigy producer, songwriter, arranger, hard-rocking and hardworking Champion, who by the young age of 25 has had her independent label up and running for eight years, released two full length CDs of her own as well as full lengths from artists she's signed to her rapidly expanding powerhouse label's roster. Alicia has shared the stage with Melissa Etheridge, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and Patti Larkin, while Ani Difranco raves that, "Danielle's music is raw and emotive, [Dear Mr. Pen*shead is] an impressive album for a new millennium where women will seize the music industry and turn it upside-down." LoPresti is also co-creator of Indie By Design, "an ongoing showcase of independent-minded musicians who are making music on their Own Terms." Currently in its third year, showcases are held in San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Key to the night is fostering community, teamwork and networking among the artists, while bringing high caliber music to fans who might have previously been unexposed to each evenings' particular bands. "It is our fervent belief that there is more than enough to go around. By helping each other, we are helping ourselves. This idea of teamwork, as old as it is, is relatively untapped and underutilized. There is so much we can do as independent artists and labels to further our careers by helping one another. Indie By Design (IBD) is one way of doing this. So many people want to support this music, but either don't know how to tap into it or have a few favorites and keep it at that. By sharing each other's fan base, everybody wins. Furthermore, IBD gives folks a means to support music that is not created by the big mogul-money-machines, thereby making them a part of the grassroots growth of these bands, which is a rewarding experience for all." Together, LoPresti and Champion's experience is growing, along with their commitment to social activism and a fiery passion for more and more outstanding independents to realize the acclaim they so deserve. Working side by side producing IndieFest and playing the stages of festivals, clubs, rallies and more, this duo is lighting an ever-growing fire of awareness and empowerment, which is what IndieFest is all about.
