This project was blessed with an outrageously brilliant group of indie musicians:
Nation Zamar: facebook.com/nationztribe
Months before The Festival was conceived, Aleia whimsically came home from the gym with a cd and placed it on my computer: “I felt like supporting a fellow artist”, is all that she said before she turned on her heels and left. The music from his tribe reached through the headphones and into my spirit. Mental note: Find a project down the line to work on with Nation Zamar…there was no way of knowing that so many of our scenes would seem written to fit so many of his songs or vice versa, harmony…
Brandi Sellerz: www.myspace.com/brandisellerz
We met this fast-talking southern cadillacin’ music producer from Nashville at our bank. Weren’t sure what to make of him because he was new to LA, had a couple of missed connections – some spark said to hold on. He said his other artists were in negotiations and couldn’t release tracks, there was one in his stable that we had to hear. We can’t imagine that he could have sent anything better or other. We just hope the world is ready for her…
Ombrey DeGrate: facebook.com/ombreydegrate
In addition to being one of our principal actors, is a classically trained singer (emphasis on jazz and opera) who has shared awards and stages with legendary musical performers. This American Idol Dallas Regional Finalist wrote, composed, and performed in live action in the film. In case you were wondering, there was absolutely no dub-over, that is the instrument that God gave him! 
Giovanni Durst: www.giovannidurst.com
Is proof of the kindness of strangers and the power of kindred artistic spirits. To-date I have not met the man in person – yet when I responded to his online post – he jumped at the chance to compose music for our movie, with record precision and promptness…
Xolie Morra & Mike Green: www.xoebean.com
Recruiting local bands for a jam session at our cafe, we were looking for an original sound from a quirky performer – Xolie & The Strange Kind was one of our top picks. The jam session didn’t wind up happening but a special connection between us and a musical genius did…
Jeffrey Snyder: www.jrsnyder.com
Finished a frantic round of interviewing sound guys, on the edge of my seat at the neighborhood cafe. One of the regulars started setting up an acoustic show that settled me down and made me feel like I was gliding peacefully. I asked him if he ever placed his music in movies, and what it would it take to infuse a little folk music into mine…
Ricky Daniels
We first met Ricky in San Diego when he came to see one of our performances, his tenacity inspired us to make him student producer on our feature film. One of the many Sundays he commuted to LA on shootday, he was making music around set and showing performance clips. Note to self: no music better represents The Festival than the artistically organic human beatbox, have Ricky record in SD and email us music clips…
Lauren Solomon: www.laurensolomonmusic.com
Saw a posting online for original music to add to film projects, starred the message in my gmail knew we needed to follow-up when in need of beautifully melodic instrumentals. Didn’t know that eagerness and graciousness were the only two things that could exceed her skill…
DJ Digg: www.myspace.com/djdigginum
Last but not least, I think we all can agree that having an opportunity to work with family can be a dream or a nightmare. We tried to catch up with our talented cousin for months, but on his hustler’s grind, it was hard to find him. At the last moment, we threw Aleia on a train to Rancho Cucamonga to grab some tracks from the fam. When we hear his beat come in, we know that dreams can come true…
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