PERFORMERS

SDSU Alumni and Oceanbeach dwellers, Band of Gringos, have attended the same schools since Kindergarten all the way through to San Diego State University. They started making their original music in April 2016. Their band name comes from their lead guitarist and vocalist, Cody Sherman’s dog.

Their artistic influences include Jimi Hendrix, John Mayer, Victor Wooten, BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Earth Wind And Fire, Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Derek Trucks, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Led Zeppelin, Isley Brothers, and The Temptations. If they could make music with anyone it would be Jimi Hendrix. Band of Gringos wanted to be apart of MTM “to give back to all the communities affected by the fires.”

A Los Angeles native, D.Sel began making music at a very young age. He was heavily influenced by the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson, and he remembers making original songs on a weekly basis at just six years old. D. Sel now points to Tupac Shakur and Dom Kennedy as his main musical influences.

Last year, D. Sel performed in SDSU's Greenfest, opening for Vic Mensa and Lil Yatchy. If he could make a song with any artist, he'd choose either Frank Ocean or Lauryn Hill. When asked about why he's performing in MTM he said, "I love performing for Festival type events due to it's electric energy. The fact that there is a cause for this event really means a lot to me as well. I'm honored to be apart of the lineup."

San Diego’s Lydon and Hi-Fi are lovers of “the groove” and have been making music together since 2015 but individually their whole lives. Their music is house-inspired and their sets are done entirely live. Lydon goes by his first name, and Hi-Fi stands for Hope Is...Finally Intact which he made up when he was 11 years old. Their music is inspired by Daft Punk, Brian Eno, Aphex Twin, Cocteau Twins, Prince, and just about anything that makes you move your feet. If they could make music with anyone it would be Prince.

“We were inspired to be able to help others. Being able to bring our friends to the festival and knowing that all of the proceeds go to helping those affected by the wildfires is a good feeling.”

NateZ and Quiet Child are two creative heads that teamed up two years ago to write and create music. NateZ hails from the Bay Area and draws inspiration from Mac Miller, Tyler the Creator, and Post Malone. Quiet Child is from LA and pulls influences from Ty Dolla, Kendrick Lamar, and YG. They create a unique hip hop/rap sound that embodies West Coast beach vibes. The duo has spent the last few months performing their latest release, Lifestyle.

"Anytime we get the opportunity to help out in a positive way we are present. Since both of us are from CA, these wildfires hit close to home and its nice to help through music."

Singer/guitarist, Charlie Rae is from Phoenix, Arizona, and has been writing music since she was 17 years old. Her stage name was born from her fondness of the name Charlie when she was a kid and Rae is after Ray Lamontagne, one of her favorite artists. In the past she has opened for Heart, Pat Benatar, Sheryl Crow, and Leon Russell, to name just a few. Her biggest musical influences come from Whitney Houston for vocal strength and passion, Mariah Carey for melodies and pitch, and Bonnie Raitt for soul and grit.

If she could make music with anyone it would be Eva Cassidy. Rae wanted to be involved in the More Than Music Festival, “to help in any way relieve the pain and loss that these victims are feeling.”

The Galactics, of Escondido, California, first met in the local open mic scene. They decided to combine their musical talents and took the name Galactics to represent their spacey sound. Their music is influenced by classic rock, 80s synth, and modern indie rock. Each member of the group writes, sings, and contributes to their overall creative process. If they could make music with anyone it would be Sufjan Stevens.

“We think it’s great that we’re getting together to help the community. It’s gonna be a great night for an even better cause.” -The Galactics