Danielle LoPresti and Alicia Champion are synonymous with not only founding and producing IndieFest and the band Danielle LoPresti and The Masses, but also with creating an independent music and culture scene in San Diego that simply did not exist before. They work hard to bring talented artists to San Diego, as well as looking locally for the best in up and coming talent.
IndieFest 8, the three day festival at the NTC Promenade at Liberty Station Aug. 16-18, promises to pack more punch and fresh entertainment than in any year prior. For me, and a lot of others the most exciting group in the musical lineup, will be Danielle LoPresti and The Masses. After a year off they are back and are gearing up for a performance like never before.
In January 2013, Alicia and Danielle were shocked when Danielle was diagnosed with a rare form of Stage 3B Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Now, with a baby and a major fight ahead of them, the question loomed, how would IndieFest 8 be able to take shape under such circumstances?
But take shape it did, with an amazing lineup of talent and with the efforts and commitment of Alicia, Danielle and countless other people who together sunk their hearts, talent and passion into this event.
Despite her hectic schedule in the run-up to IndieFest, I got to talk to Danielle about the festival and her fight against cancer.
San Diego LGBT Weekly: How did IndieFest come about and what was your inspiration for creating it?
Danielle LoPresti: Alicia Champion and I were inspired to create IndieFest from our own day to day experiences as professional musicians. We wanted to turn people on to new music, under-represented music and music folks never get to hear on the radio because it’s too unique, or not “pop” enough or not enough like the latest big marketing success. We also wanted to build a more connected, resourceful community of artists here in San Diego. A community that truly helps one another, shares connections, grows together, etc. We started then and continue to work now on making IndieFest one of the most inspirational events a person will ever attend.
Would you consider IndieFest an LGBTQA music and arts event?
Yes! Absolutely. But I’d also consider it a “family” event, a “multi-generational” event, an “activist” event, an “arts and culture” event. I could go on. There are a lot of issues we care about and embrace from year to year, but one of the things that is consistent is our dedication to inclusivity and truly honoring the beautiful diversity of our various communities.
What can we expect out of this IndieFest that will make it stand out from past festivals?
Our headliners are extraordinary this year – the best yet. This is the first year we’ve ever had an entire night dedicated to EDM – Electronic Dance Music. This is by far our most exciting Film Stage ever. Produced by Paul Giret, the Film Stage alone is worth the price of admission! Our visual artist lineup is going to be just beautiful. I’m super excited for our first ever “Rock To Stop Violence Stage” produced by Michelle Renee. Oh, and it’s the second year we’ll have mixed drinks!
What is your favorite aspect of IndieFest?
Making new friends and family; inspiring people; turning people on to new art and ideas; helping artists grow their fan base; inspiring people to try their hand at making their own dreams manifest; seeing people come together who normally wouldn’t be at the same event and inspiring thought, feeling and action. Making people happy.
What has been the most challenging part of this year’s IndieFest?
Producing the event while fighting cancer and dealing with chemotherapy, as well as watching my partner and co-producer, Alicia Champion, take on the lion’s share of the work. Also, learning how to produce this mammoth event as new mommas – that’s been a challenge in and of itself.
With you and your wife being so musically inclined, do you see your son becoming a musician?
Yes, I can see that happening, although not exclusively, by any means. At this point I think he’s going to have a lot of interests and we plan on supporting him fully!
Do you think it is harder for women and LGBT people to make and gain exposure in the music and art world? Is this something you keep in mind when planning IndieFest?
I think it used to be, no question, but I do think that’s changing right before our eyes. It’s definitely getting better, in my opinion, though we still have a long way to go. Just look at the remarkable response Steve Grand got from his “All American Boy” video. On one hand, this shows how far we’ve come, on the other hand, why has it taken this long for a video like this to get the reception it deserves? I’m excited to not only enjoy Steve’s set, but to perform with him during my set on the Durga Sound stage. We actively do think about this issue, in all that we do. I’m so proud of Alicia Champion for reaching out to Steve Grand and finding a way to get him out here for his California debut.
You know, Alicia and I are here and able to do the things we’re doing, out and proud as we are, because of the immense sacrifice of so many people who came before us. There’s a picture of Cleve Jones on our fridge, holding our son Lucian when he was just 6 months old. That reminds me every day of how much we enjoy because of the courage of his generation and those before.
Not that I am fond of boxes and labels, but have you always been out, and if so, has it affected your career?
I always considered myself straight because I loved men – and I still find men beautiful. It wasn’t until my 30s that I discovered I could also be attracted to women. I’m so grateful I made that discovery because it led me to be able to accept the love of the most beautiful human being I had ever met, who happened to be a woman.
Good thing Alicia is as amazing as she is. She jokingly refers to me as the ‘most straight non-straight person she’s ever met.’ I’m so grateful she accepts me for who I am, as I am. I’ve never been so happy as I am now with Alicia as my life partner and Lucian, our precious son – God, we love him so much!
You and your wife inspire a lot of people and empower women particularly. Your battle with cancer is another way that you both are giving hope and strength to others battling with health issues. What advice would you give to those fighting this same battle?
Reach out, allow others to help you, let yourself cry when you need to, be kind to yourself, speak up and ask questions, ask others who’ve gone through it to share what worked for them.
Let others do the research for you as much as possible! The Internet is a dangerous place when you’re fighting for your life and you don’t need any extra negativity in your brain. I could go on and on with this list, but perhaps the most important thing is to allow yourself to have your own experience – this is just one more adventure in your life and you are not alone!
Where have you gotten your strength to fight cancer?
From my son Lucian, my partner Alicia and my entire family – that includes my “familia” – which is my word for all my beloved friends who have reached out to me throughout this whole ordeal. I am so, so blessed with love.
Was this something that you thought would ever happen to you?
Never. I’ve always been pretty much a “health nut” kind of person. It was shocking to me.
Knowing what you know now about cancer and America’s medical system, is there anything you could or would have done differently?
Yes, I would have gone to the doctor sooner. It was just a cough, a cough that wouldn’t go away; and it was being caused by a 12 cm tumor pressing down on my lungs. It was my acupuncturist, Jamie Boyd of Whole Family Wellness, who led me to the discovery. All the western doctors missed it. She is the one who finally said to me, “Go to Urgent Care, something is not right here. Don’t leave until they agree to give you a chest X-ray.” And that is how they found out what was wrong.
How do you feel healthwise and what is the prognosis?
I’m now in full remission and filled with gratitude. I have to keep working diligently, though, to keep this gone. It was a very rare form of cancer and I never want to see it in my body again.
I know that this process can be expensive and taxing. For those who would like to help your family, where can they go or what can they do?
They can come to IndieFest! For more information about IndieFest and to purchase tickets you can go to sandiegoindiefest.com
Thank you so much for everything that you do and for your openness. We wish you a fast and speedy recovery and the best IndieFest ever!
