Could you imagine how gnarly it would be to have the opportunity to perform alongside legends Foo Fighters, Imagine Dragons, Katy Perry, and Robert Plant & The Sensational Space Shifters? Well, these bands are headlining 2018’s KAABOO Del Mar whose highly curated lineup, featuring 60+ bands, also includes an eclectic mix of rising young stars who will experience a life-changing event to share one of the festival’s stages alongside some of the world’s most talented artists.
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, California’s three-day prominent music, entertainment, and arts extravaganza are set to take place on Sept. 14-16 at the Del Mar Racetrack and adjacent fairgrounds. The 4th annual all-ages premiere rock experience will see over 100,000 live music lovers take over the beautiful beachfront community of Del Mar, giving the young up-and-comers the chance to be heard.
Music Connection decided to take a look at three current acts who are ready to make it to the next level.
Creature Canyon
The homegrown San Diego natives Creature Canyon was formed in late 2015. Singer-songwriter Austin Steele, guitarist Ryan Amyot, bassist Elliot Ramsey, and drummer Kyle Victoria have coalesced into one finely tuned unit with a sound that is distinctly their own. The four-piece indie-rock band is ever-evolving with their signature melodic guitar riffs, vivid bass lines, boisterous rhythms, and in-your-face vocals.
The band's debut single "Life I Know" garnered initial attention from legendary San Diego alternative radio station 91X, where the song quickly entered the daily rotation. Creature Canyon received the locally-coveted status of 91X's "local break" artist, leading to supporting doors opening for alt-legends Empire Of The Sun, Phoenix, and several others at the radio station's "X-Fest 2017." "Life I Know" has also enjoyed airplay on Los Angeles' world-renowned rock station KROQ.
Creature Canyon spent much of 2017 branching out into L.A.'s Eastside music community, showcasing, and performing as direct support for an extensive list of nationally touring acts along the West Coast. The band kicked off in 2018 by recording in L.A.'s distinguished United Recording Studios and will begin releasing a series of singles in the Summer of 2018 via the UK based Kobalt Music Group's AWAL.
Emily Warren
Emily Warren is an American pop singer and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum songwriter. She is most notable for the songs she has written for several high-profile pop artists, including The Chainsmokers, Frenship, Sean Paul, Jessie J, Melanie Martinez, 5 Seconds of Summer, Fifth Harmony, Noah Cyrus, Becky G, and Shawn Mendes.
Raised on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and hailing from a musical background, Warren signed to Dr. Luke's label Prescription Songs in 2013. After a move to Los Angeles, she began writing and collaborating, gaining songwriting recognition, conjuring up meticulously crafted, well-composed arrangements with soulful lyrics. Warren co-wrote with longtime friend and collaborator, Scott Harris, the smash hit, “Don’t Let Me Down” with The Chainsmokers, which reached Top Five on the US Billboard Hot 100, garnering a Grammy in 2017 for Best Dance Recording.
Warren’s beginnings as a unique genre-blending solo artist came with the release of American pop duo Frenship's single, “Capsize" in 2016 (which became a streaming hit that surpassed 300 million plays by 2017). Warren not only co-wrote the viral hit but also performed as a featured vocalist. On May 5, 2017, Emily independently released two solo debut singles "Hurt By You" (which crossed 1 million streams within two weeks), and “Something To Hold on To.” Sounding nothing like songs written for other artists, Warren describes her emotionally evoking songs as authentic expressions of herself, inspired by her life’s experiences.
Boulevards
Boulevards is Jamil Rashad. From an early age, Jamil's father, an R&B Radio DJ, exposed Jamil to jazz, blues, and R&B, encouraging him to get involved in music at an early age. In his teens, he embraced the punk, hardcore, and metal scene in his hometown of Raleigh, NC; genres that would later go on to influence Rashad's songwriting by way of their technical precision, and power. After an art school education and several stints in local bands, Jamil rediscovered and returned to his first true love: funk; In his own words: "party funk jams for the heart and soul to make you move.”
Boulevards released his critically acclaimed self-titled debut LP, Groove! in 2016. Produced by Roller Girl! and Taste Nasa, the collaboration combined intricate production with a focus on rhythm. An intelligent collection of songs, Groove! is an evolution to reign in a new era of funk; catchy songwriting, plenty of hooks, and infectious bass lines geared towards getting people back on the dance floor.
Over the past couple of years, Boulevards has seen a steady ascent to one of the most sought-after acts on the scene. Combining high-energy funk and contagious performances, Boulevards has garnered a dedicated following of fans.
Of course, this is by no means a definitive list! “We are proud of KAABOO’s depth and diversity of talent which we bring to our guests each year. KAABOO offers something for everyone including a lineup of emerging bands that is always fun to see our guests discover,” says KAABOO Chief Brand and Marketing Officer Jason Felts.
Believing that local charitable organizations have the ability to affect major change in a community, the KAABOO KINDNESS program continues to support charities in the San Diego region and across the globe. One dollar per every pass sold is distributed among community partners, including global partner The Recording Academy’s MusiCares program, as well as five local charities including the San Diego Armed Services YMCA, Surfrider Foundation - San Diego Chapter, Voices for Children, McKenna Claire Foundation, and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
For passes and additional information on KAABOO Del Mar visit kaaboodelmar.com.
