San Diego-based musician Matthew Phillips, the rising pop sensation from Southern California, continues to captivate audiences with his infectious melodies and heartfelt storytelling. Pairing electronic elements, cinematic soundscapes and classic hook-filled lyrics that breathe new life into the alternative genre. Matthew's guitar playing has caught the attention of the top guitar manufacturers in the music industry: Fender, Ernie Ball, Taylor, Seymour Duncan, JHS, RJM, Walrus Audio to name a few.  Following the resounding success of his 2023 singles "So in Love" and "Till It's Over,". The official music video for "Till It's Over" struck virality with over 300,000 views & was filmed live at the House of Blues in downtown San Diego. Lights filled the room in what can only be described as a captivating moment of unity among those in attendance. Phillips was than nominated and won "Best Pop Artist" at the prestigious San Diego Music Awards (2024), Phillips and his band took the stage at the legendary Belly Up in Solana Beach on June 19th for a highly anticipated headline performance. On the same day, Phillips' third single "Time Fades Love" was released, and the official music video was filmed live to a packed audience. On the cusp of virality once again, “Time Fades Love” has amassed 100,000+ views across platforms in 14 days since release. As of 2024, Matthew shows no signs of letting up. He has garnered glowing reviews from music journalists, industry insiders, and fans. His tour history includes performances at legendary venues, major music festivals, and international tours, as well as placements in TV and film. Matthew continues to strive to raise the bar in his musical pursuits. Jessica Klausing

The Bastards are a collective of San Diego musicians, poets, and performers, blending award-winning songwriting with raw energy and storytelling. Though sometimes called a "supergroup," they consider themselves a roving band of maverick banditos, driven by music, mayhem, and magic. The band’s sound is powered by the celebrated songwriting of Jeff Berkley, Shawn Rohlf, and Tim Flannery, with the talents and limitless musical contributions from Ben Zinn, Patrick McClory, and Danny Campbell. Together, they elevate each song with their exceptional musicianship and emotive performances. The Bastards recently released their debut album.

Born on August 29th near Mojave, California, Cheyenne Benton’s journey as an artist is as complex and bold as her music. Growing up in a strict religious cult from kindergarten through early high school, Benton developed a unique perspective on the world. Her experiences navigating and ultimately breaking free from this cult have deeply influenced her artistic vision, fueling her lyrical transparency and emotional depth. At just eight years old, Benton discovered her love for music when she asked her father to teach her guitar, a turning point that set the stage for a lifelong passion. By 14, her hunger for the stage led her to audition for musicals, with standout performances in productions such as School House Rock and Bridge to Terabithia, honing her ability to tell stories through song. Benton’s early exposure to performing allowed her to craft an identity that blends raw vulnerability with unapologetic fierceness—traits that define her unique sound. Her musical style, often described as a blend of indie pop and bubblegum angst, has drawn comparisons to powerhouse artists like Paramore’s Hayley Williams, Phoebe Bridgers, and Stevie Nicks. Benton’s debut EP in 2017 put her on the radar, but it was her self-produced debut album, Beautiful Chaos, released in March 2023, that cemented her as a rising force in the Southern California indie music scene. Garnering critical acclaim, the album was lauded for its sincere storytelling and explosive melodies, which marry retro nostalgia with futuristic instrumentation. Her single "Drinkin’ About U" earned a nomination for Best R&B, Funk, or Soul Song at the 2023 San Diego Music Awards. Benton’s momentum continued into 2024, with notable performances with national touring acts including Hotel Fiction and New Constellations, shows at popular venues such as The Casbah, Belly Up, Hotel Café, and Soda Bar, as well as airplay on alternative radio stations including 91X FM. Her visually striking music video for “Batting Cages” amassed over 20,000 views on YouTube and her album Beautiful Chaos earned her two nominations at the San Diego Music Awards: Best Pop Album for Beautiful Chaos and Best Video for "Batting Cages." In 2025, she was nominated for another San Diego Music Award, this time for her video for the song, "Sorry." In addition to her success as a musician, Benton is an accomplished audio engineer and producer, with formal training from Studio West in San Diego. Her engineering work earned her the Best Sound and Music award at the 2022 Los Angeles Comedy Film & Screenplay Festival for the short film Funny. Her artistry is not confined to the stage. Benton’s personal journey of self-discovery and empowerment drives her music, which challenges societal norms and expectations, particularly in its portrayal of women’s experiences. Her album, "corrupted," due out in summer 2025, is a bloodletting — a scorched love letter to lost innocence, power reclaimed, and the bruised clarity that follows deception. With an exploratory sonic landscape that twists electric and acoustic guitars into snarling confessionals, orchestral horns into warning sirens, and percussion born from the sound of crashing metal, Benton turns pain into sculpture — jagged, shimmering, and unrepentantly raw. Cheyenne Benton is not just a musician but a storyteller, producer, and advocate, poised to redefine the indie pop landscape. Her work is a testament to the power of reclaiming one’s voice and creating beauty from chaos. And with a new album on the horizon, Benton’s story is far from finished—it's just beginning.

Patch & Maggi are a dynamic musical duo blending jazz, folk, rock, and country into soulful, harmony-rich duets. Patch, a Canadian musician and member of the band Daring Greatly, brings gritty soul and musical depth. Maggi, a Southern California-based actress and singer, adds expressive storytelling and emotional power. Together, their chemistry is electric—delivering music that’s heartfelt, cinematic, and made for connection.

Like many true songwriters, Alex Bergan’s path wasn’t linear; it was shaped by detours, doubt, and devotion to finding a voice that felt unguarded and real. When that voice finally settled in, it carried him onto stages alongside artists such as Nathaniel Rateliff, Vintage Trouble, Ryan Montbleau, John Butler, Riley Downing, and Kenny Loggins—proof that sincerity travels far. It continues to travel further with his in-demand tour schedule that grows year after year. Now based in San Diego, after a decade of service in the United States Navy, Alex has become a defining presence in the city’s folk and Americana landscape. His work balances tenderness and grit, marked by lived-in storytelling and a voice that feels both weathered and intimate. In 2023, he earned a San Diego Music Award nomination for Best Folk/Acoustic Album for his EP My Notebook. The following year brought a win for his single Unpromised Land, and in 2025 he received his second SDMA for Ghost in the Addict. That same year, San Diego Magazine named him Male Vocalist of the Year. At its core, Alex Bergan’s music is an act of listening—to the past, to the quiet moments, to the truths most people struggle to say out loud. His songs don’t chase spectacle; they stay. They linger. And they ask the listener to do the same.