By Eric Heinz
The reverb the guitar makes in surf music will be heard throughout San Clemente’s main beach during Ocean Festival’s Saturday Concert.
The band performing is MoonShine, which is comprised of Celena Marie Delpizzo-Howell, vocalist; her brother, Dylan Del Pizzo-Howell, guitar; stand-up bass player Elijah Meisse; harmonica player Travis Muniz; and drummer Nick Crays. They are based out of Laguna Beach.
“We actually got contacted by an Ocean Festival (representative) who saw us at Hobie in Laguna Beach, and she contacted me and said there’s this awesome event in San Clemente and thought we’d be great for it,” Celena said. “The band wanted to change it up for a different surf vibe and bluesy. We like to say that our original music brings back vintage rock with a blues twist.”
MoonShine performs cover songs as well as their original songs. Celena said the band tries to combine iconic genres with a modern marinade.
“My brother and I started as a duo in 2012, and about a year in we started adding people, and we’ve been growing and now we’re a five-piece,” Celena said. “I really just feed off of an awesome audience and setting, for sure, so seeing people in their element just enjoying our music fills my soul. And just performing with my brother is probably the best gift I’ve received in my life. We have a great relationship, and we feed off each other. It’s been a great experience with our longtime friends.”
Celena also said the band does have an “Americana” style, kind of like the folk-rock bands that have come to prominence in the last decade.
“Like our harmonica player, he’ll bring that classic style of music and sometimes plays a banjo,” Celena said. “It’s more than just rockabilly, and they really connect with the blues in the music. I’m influenced by strong female vocalists like Billie Holiday and classic American sounds. And my brother as a guitar player, his influences are very blues-driven, like the music from Johnny Cash.”
The Delpizzo-Howells’ father grew up in San Clemente and had frequented Ocean Festival throughout the years. This will be Celena’s first time performing at the San Clemente Pier.
“I’ve been hearing about this event for a long time, and the fact that I get to perform at it, is amazing and I’ve heard what an amazing experience it is,” Celena said.
MoonShine will perform from 6-8 p.m. at the Ocean Festival main stage at the Pier my parents are huge supporters and they’re very excited.
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