Carlee WrightWest Coast Indie Fest brings you two days of tunes and a greater cause: the grassroots nonprofit Musicians in Crisis Relief Organization.
“Launching Musicians in Crisis Relief Organization has been a goal of mine for a few years now,” said organizer Lisa Walters, who has been producing live events for almost 10 years. “But COVID-19 really brought home the need for an organization like MiCRO that caters to local musicians in their time of need. The funds raised from WCIF will be our seed money to really get MiCRO launched as a fully-fledged nonprofit organization.”
MiCRO will serve unsigned, independent musicians in need by providing grants from $50 to $500. Setting this organization apart from other music charities, MiCRO support will not be based on the applicant’s ability to prove loss of income, or ‘professional’ musician designation (membership in a union or a designated number of performances/recordings/placements). Need will be determined on a case-by-case basis according to IRS governance that states grants may be made to help musicians ‘prepare and present’ their art. Click here to learn more about MiCRO.
West Coast Indie Fest lineup features a diverse selection of local and regional talent.
“I always aim to have a mix of genres so that the audience might get turned on to some new style or artist they never expected,” said Lisa.
Performers include:
Forest Bailey — Fingerstyle guitarist-songwriter, Colfax CA
Heather Evans — Songstress/guitarist, Lincoln CA
CallBox — Pop/Rock Duo, Turlock CA
Russell James — Folk-Americana songwriter, Corvallis OR
Hannah Jane Kile — Pop-Folk songwriter Sacramento CA
Amber Russell — Fingerstyle guitarist Portland OR
Jessica Malone — Americana singer/songwriter, Fair Oaks CA
Rich McCloud — Rap/R&B artist/activist, Turner OR
Tony Smiley — Pop-Rock one-man-band, Vancouver WA
Dylan Crawford — Reggae-Folk performer, Lincoln City OR
Todd Morgan — Boogie-woogie & Blues musician, Sacramento
Island of Black & White — Reggae-funk duo, El Dorado Hills CA
Mark Lemhouse — Punk-Americana musician, Salem OR
David Rosales — Americana artist, Huntington Beach CA
Jake Nacrelli — Country singer/songwriter, Jefferson OR
Cle’mon — Poet-lyricist singer/songwriter, Folsom CA
Wil Koehnke — Alternative soul, Portland OR
Angela Soffe — Folk singer/songwriter, Yakima WA
Ty Curtis — Trio Blues-Rock band, Salem OR
“This is a lineup that I am so proud of,” Lisa added.
The festival will take place through Facebook Live 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Each performance is 30 minutes, with a 10-minute break in between for updates on fundraising, and plugs for local businesses, supporters, etc.
“…there are two groups you can join to view and hear the show – either MAINSTAGE – West Coast Indie Fest or you can view on our partner page The Owlfest Virtual Nightclub,” said Lisa, “I’m so grateful to Scott Alan Carpenter for allowing WCIF to take over his group for the weekend!”
Artists are donating their time and talent; Tips are graciously accepted. Viewers can donate to Musicians in Crisis Relief Organization via PayPal. Donations of $25 or more will receive a customized upcycled and branded commemorative West Coast Indie Fest shirt.
“I cannot imagine my life without the magic of live music,” said Lisa.
The Instigator
