Meet the Artists
At 1531, you’ll get a vast sampling of some of the best folk, roots, and pop music of SoCal and beyond.
Each of the artists we work with are of high caliber, and are lovely human beings, in that they see music as a gift, want to share that gift with those around them, and appreciate the gifts that others bring to the world of music and the arts. There’s no other place we know of that brings together artists like these.
We are so very proud to present them.
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I’m Fine (Boston, MA)
Having gone their whole lives with a passion for listening to and creating music, Abigail Rose and Eamon Sefton combine their heartfelt writing styles into catchy and moving melodies accompanied by thought provoking lyrics. Both artists share a mutual interest in a vast blend of different genres from Classical, to Rock, to Modern pop. With early folk influences such as James Taylor and Bob Dylan all the way to modern acts like Coldplay and Billie Eilish, the duo bring together a sound that has been defined simply by friends as "Beautiful Pop".
Abigail Rose has the voice of an angel, and combined with Eamon Sefton's tenor harmonies, they create a deeply satisfying vocal blend. Eamon comes from a strong background of Irish and Scottish traditional music and has performed and taught at a national level, bringing unique Celtic roots to the duo's sound. Abby and Eamon are working on an EP under the band name "I'm Fine".
This fresh duo is sure to knock your socks off and leave you wanting much, much more.
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Fr. Kevin McGoldrick (Nashville, TN)
Fr. Kevin has been a priest for over 10 years and a musician for over 30. His bluesy-pop style has a fresh sound that incorporates his broad musical influences from John Mayer to G Love and Special Sauce. He has been featured on Sirius XM, The Catholic Guy, and the Jennifer Fulweiler show, ALETEIA, Relevant Radio, Immaculate Heart Radio, the Catholic Playlist, and EWTN’s At Home with Jim and Joy to name a few. He most recently won the #catholichipstermusicaward 2017, and his debut album Square Peg / Round Hole went to #1 on the global chart CECILIA. Both mass celebrant and headlining act, we are eager to hear Fr. Kevin preach beauty, both with his words and his guitar.
Jessica Gerhardt (Santa Monica, CA)
Jessica Gerhardt is a singer-songwriter and ukuleleist who began writing songs at only eight-years-old. After receiving a ukulele as a birthday gift, she began teaching herself to play at age 14 and it became her primary songwriting tool. In 2014, Jessica released a debut EP entitled "Words Like Rainfall", under the band name Feronia. In 2016 she recorded a cover of Emmylou Harris's "Little Bird" which was featured on a highly acclaimed tribute album with a number of prolific LA artists including Phoebe Bridgers. Taking a break for a few years from actively performing, Gerhardt returned under her own name creating powerful music that resonates with listeners on a deeper level, with the release of her single "Be My Hands", the title track off of her forthcoming EP, produced by Patrick Doyle. The "Be My Hands" music video premiered in Earmilk in January 2019, followed by the release of "Aquarius" in February 2019, and "The Weakness In Me" in April 2019. The "Be My Hands" 5-song EP will be released this summer. Jessica and her mates’ cool style stunned us last year, and we couldn’t wait to book them again.
Perry West (Denver, CO)
A native Californian, Perry found his voice and creative musical style in his teen years. A mature and deep love for literature has now turned his writing into some of the richest you will find, in or out of the folk music scene. He released his first solo album Glass Half Fool in 2016, and fans (like us) are getting impatient waiting for his next album. A poet first, singer-songwriter second, he is compared to Bob Dylan, Tallest Man on Earth, and Joe Pug, but his songs are in a category all their own, with powerful booming vocals, and lines so brilliant you’ll wish you that could claim them.
Merlot Embargo (Los Angeles, CA)
An independent folk-pop duo, this husband and wife team is rootsy, organic, soulful, and stunningly charming. Last year they graced the 1531 stage, holding their sweet 2 year old little girl in their arms for a few songs! IScarlett's vocals and Geoff's guitar work call to mind Brandie Carlile and John Mayer. We are lucky to have this incredibly talented pair right here in SoCal, we promise you will love them as much as we do!
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Mending Fences (Ventura, CA)
David, Michael, Aaron and Sarah Dufresne make up this family musical band that plays a fusion of original, country, folk, and rock with a hint of Irish tunes. With 70’s nostalgia, tender sibling harmonies, and quality musicianship, their understated style is magnetic, and they may end up being one of your favorite acts of the day.
Trailer Park Caberet (Santa Barbara, CA)
Featuring some of Santa Barbara’s best folk and rock musicians, this creative collective is young, fun, and full of energy, guaranteed to bring the party, and probably drop your jaw too.
Jake Detar, Daniel Bagdazian, David Trull, Gus & Whitney Detar, Therese Detar.
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Backwoods grit meets Hollywood glitz, Patrick has a 21st century edge, with 1950's charm. Hailing from a rural Montana town and being from different cultural backgrounds, Patrick embodies both sides of the proverbial coin. He is equal parts Montana and L.A., city and country, old fashioned and new, and that all reflects in his music.
Patrick Dwyer (Los Angeles, CA)
The Standage Family Band (Arcadia, CA.)
This talented sibling band has been playing bluegrass together since 2015, with Marissa on fiddle, Jessica on banjo, Nicholas on guitar, Kaitlyn on fiddle/mandolin, and Sarah on the washtub bass. This year they are excited to welcome their youngest sister, seven-year-old Emily, on the washboard.
Cristina Ballestero (Anaheim, CA)
Inspired by her big brothers, Christina started singing at a young age, and by 15 had a record deal in a female pop band. She later released her own songs and toured, and at 19 she came to the Lord, a climax in her personal and musical journey. She now glorifies God in secular and worship music, her new single “Our Secret” released this spring. With a soulful pop sound, Christina has a true heart for worship that comes through, no matter what she sings.
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The Eschatones (CA)
A monk, a priest, a seminarian, a father, and a layman form a fun-loving jam band, sharing their favorite folk-rock covers with stellar guitar skills.
Fr. Matthew Wheeler, Fr. Angelus Echeverry, OSB, Michael Masteller, Jake Detar, Daniel Bagdazian.
Melanie Mitchell (Anaheim Hills, CA)
Melanie has a deep love for God AND was crowned Miss Teen California in 2015, but it is her musical ability that charms us the most. Having sung the National Anthem and Take Me Out to the Ballgame at Major League Baseball games, we like that she knows how to pick up a ukulele and and turn her sound into a folk lover’s fairytale. We are lucky to have her at our small-time festival, and we won’t be surprised if we hear her on the radio sooner than later.
Monica Kinney (Alisa Viejo, CA)
Monica shakes it up for us at 1531. A SoCal pop millennial, she brings a creative, fresh, sound, and will grab your attention with her her original beats, whimsical lines, and non-acoustic ingredients.
Michaela Cooper (Ventura, CA)
At the age of 18, Michaela claims her space as one of the top emerging young fiddlers in Southern California. With over 10 years of experience, she is well versed in the Irish and Scottish tunes of old, and can adapt to classical and modern sounds with ease. She and her brother Joshua have played together for 9 years, he joins her on the cello. A talented sibling duo sure to impress!
