Bianca Obliviona rising Mexican-American DJ and Los Angeles native, understands the importance of her upcoming appearance at Hard Summer, one of Southern California’s largest electronic music festivals.
“Obviously, there will be artists from all over the world headlining,” Oblivion said. “Now I have great representation, I’m in a position as a Latina, as someone who is from here and who is in the world of electronic music. I don’t take that lightly.”
Oblivion is part of a roster of local Latin artists set to perform at the festival, which takes place Saturday and Sunday at Hollywood Park. The event returns to Los Angeles after a decade and is expected to draw about 70,000 attendees daily.
Oblivion, who will open the festival's Purple Stage, mixes British genres with a strong bass, Brazilian funk and other big Latin hits. The DJ says she plans to use the city's musical influences as a basis for her set list.
“I was able to connect with a feeling and an energy that really characterizes Los Angeles,” she said. “I’m so excited to be able to bring it all home.”
Other Latin artists who will perform on the first day of the festival are Joaquín, Dina and Bianca Maieli.
An up-and-coming Mexican-Persian-American DJ, Dyne She found her groove in the underground scene, playing Latin music in clubs, reggaeton and Brazilian funk. She says performing in smaller, more intimate venues prepared her for the festival.
“Expect upbeat, dance music and stuff you’ve never heard before,” she said of her planned performance. “I’m really excited to be able to play party music.”
Colombian and South Indian artist Maieli He says he plans to mix tech house with Brazilian funk during his first appearance at Hard Summer. He has made waves with No Nazar, a DJ collective he co-founded that hosts parties across the country highlighting music from the Caribbean and African diasporas.
“We already have great artists who are addressing these issues,” Maieli said. “But we have to make sure that the people who are really pushing the project, the Latin artists themselves, are seen and hired.”
CC Lovea Mexican-American DJ from Southern California who has played festivals like Electric Daisy Carnival, says she will select a sampling of Latin and tech house music for her Saturday afternoon set.
“One thing I’ve noticed about playing Latin music compared to other genres is that the passion is on another level,” he said. “Even if it’s a remix, there’s another level of passion with Latinos, who really love singing their music, dancing and vibing with it.”
For those looking to hear music from the Dominican Republic with an East Coast twist, Giselle Peppers plans to echo her heritage on the second day of Hard Summer. The Afro-Latina artist grew up in Paterson, New Jersey, but has called Los Angeles home for more than three years.
“Attendees will be treated to an electrifying show that will keep them dancing the whole time,” Peppers said. “It is strongly infused with the vibrant essence of my cultural heritage and the sounds that influenced the place where I grew up.”
