YouTube Sensation and out country star, Steve Grand, will make his West Coast performance debut at San Diego IndieFest 8. (See interview here) Grand went from being an unknown to the latest YouTube viral celebrity. His self-funded music video for his song, “All American Boy,” spread like wildfire across more than 1.6 million computer screens throughout the world, touching many with its honest, raw story of unrequited gay love.
“Amid hundreds of offers, Steve chose San Diego IndieFest to make his exclusive California debut, making a big statement about how he’s choosing to move forward in his career. It’s a really big deal, and a huge honor for our event to be the first and only California venue he’ll appear at,” said Alicia Champion, co-creator and executive producer of San Diego IndieFest.
In addition to Steve Grand, San Diego IndieFest 8 is featuring a long list of LGBT-relevant artists at this year’s event.
Danielle LoPresti – San Diego IndieFest co-founder and executive producer, local mainstay and lesbian favorite will be making her first comeback performance after battling stage III cancer all year long. Danielle’s band, Danielle LoPresti and The Masses will open for Cake, and Steve Grand will also be making an appearance in her set.
“IndieFest 8 will be our biggest party yet, but its goal is the same: to lift spirits, open minds and empower people toward their most inventive, persevering selves,” said LoPresti.
Ferron – Lesbian folksinger Ferron has been called a “culture hero” by Rolling Stone, and the Boston Globe wrote that “one day we’ll call Dylan the Ferron of the ’60s.” One of the most important voices in women’s music, she’s been largely influential on artists including Ani DiFranco, the Indigo Girls and Tori Amos. Ferron will play immediately following Steve Grand on the Craig Yerkes Stage.
James Marsters – Best known as Spike from Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and Captain John Hart from Torchwood, Marsters will be returning for his third San Diego IndieFest appearance to perform with his original band, Ghost of The Robot. (Marsters was the featured San Diego LGBT Weekly cover story for IndieFest in 2011.)
Saucy Monky – The Ireland chart-topping duo of out lesbians Cynthia Catania and Annmarie Cullen return to San Diego IndieFest to promote their new album Trophy Girl. Their latest music video release was a “Wild Ace” winner at the 2013 Las Vegas Film Festival, and will also be screened at the San Diego IndieFest Film Stage.
Kevin Wood – Gay national touring Rent star, Wood will be promoting his upcoming release, “Out Among The Wolves.”
Whitton – Out lesbian Whitton brings a flare of the ’40s to her wishful, singer-songwriter sound. Take the sounds of an alluring Billie Holiday, mixed with the curious intensity of Norah Jones and eclectic complexity of Regina Spektor, and you’ll get the best kept secret in Los Angeles.
San Diego IndieFest 8 is at NTC Promenade at Liberty Station, 2640 Historic Decatur Road in San Diego, Aug. 16-18. For tickets, complete schedule and program information visit sandiegoindiefest.com
