SAN DIEGO – For over a decade, Danielle LoPresti has not only been one of San Diego’s most notable musicians, she is the co-founder and producing partner of one of the city’s signature music events and the nation’s first exclusively independent music and arts festival; San Diego IndieFest.
During that time, the event had attracted some of the best independent artists in the business including Cake, Talib Kweli, Metric, multi-Platinum songwriter, Justin Tranter, Juliette Lewis, Awolnation, and more. But a lot more happened in that time, not the least of which was a diagnosis of late Stage 3 Non Hodgkins Lymphoma.
As anyone who has knocked on death’s door will tell you, reflection and change are part of the healing process. LoPresti realized that producing one of Southern California’s largest outdoor music events left little time for her own music and touring. In fact the last time she toured was Summer 2004 – the inaugural year of San Diego IndieFest.
After her holiday video “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” went viral and received media attention worldwide, something resonated with LoPresti and her partner (and wife) Alicia Champion. It was time to re-focus on their own music.
“After much consideration we have decided to put San Diego IndieFest on hold and to focus more on our own music and creative projects,” stated Champion. They are now working to finish their fifth album, “House of D,” which had been shelved during Danielle’s triumphant year-long cancer fight.
While many will be concerned with the future of IndieFest, the duo assures that the IndieFest legacy is not over. In fact, LoPresti and Champion have been approached about the growth of IndieFest in other cities, which is a real possibility now that they are planning a move up to the Bay Area this Summer.
“The exciting thing about IndieFest is that it’s a format that can be utilized in San Diego as well as other major cities. While IndieFest is a huge part of who we are, so is our music, and presently there simply isn’t enough time to do both and stay healthy in the process.” stated LoPresti
A “Best of San Diego IndieFest” show is planned for early June at the Music Box.
