Danielle Lo Presti and The Masses: Groove-laden activist rock that moves your mind and your booty.

"raw and emotive, an impressive album for a new millennium..." - Ani Difranco

Danielle Lo Presti and The Masses (DLPM) came to be back in 2001, at the release of a feisty little record called Dear Mr. Penis head.

The fast-track version of the story is that Danielle had been writing for film and TV in L.A. Two of her songs were placed in The Nutty Professor, one of which was the end-title. This leads her to a partnership with a forward-thinking producer in town, and she starts writing what she wants – songs that Think AND Feel. Their CD brings on a nice little buzz: Interscope, Hollywood Records, MCA...they come...they go.

Danielle writes a song about child molestation for a special show that her sister was producing for her renowned dance company, Eveoke. It’s played for the A&R guys. They come back (!) It’s “strong”…it’s…”cutting Edge”…it’s...“too risky.”

She submits a demo of the song, Say It, to the L.A. Music Awards. She’s nominated...Best Female Singer/Songwriter, 1999. They call her the "Say It Girl.”

They refer her to a “well connected-he-can-help-you-type” music attorney. He listens to her music. What follows is a 20-minute bit of advice. Danielle is told that, being a woman, she has about two styles of music she can write and hope to have any degree of success: Sade or Britney Spears. If she persists in doing anything other than that, she may as well quit.

She hangs up the phone, feels the inspiration building, picks up the pen and writes that man a Thank You note – the first line reads: “Dear Mr. Penis head.”

She opens her 20 year old savings account, invests it in making a full-length-from scratch CD, and prepares to release, promote, and market it as if her life depends on it...but she wants a band.

Now enters a brilliant group of musicians. They name themselves in honor of the historical activist magazine, The Masses, which was instrumental in the fight for suffrage, minority and working class rights, and many other things we’re still working toward today.

Several radio appearances, CD compilations, festivals, and nominations later (Including: LA Music Awards: 2002 Female Vocalist of the Year, 2001 Independent Album of the Year; San Diego Music Awards: 2002 Best Adult/Alternative Band), and DLPM’s got a fast-growing fan base and internet presence, a community building showcase called “Indie By Design,” which spreads awareness of the Indie Music Scene while fertilizing the idea of Teamwork among independent musicians, and: a new CD, 22 Mountains.

2004 has been the busiest year for DLPM yet. Not only did they win the 2004 Outmusic Award for Outstanding New Recording - Band, for 22 Mountains, they took their critically acclaimed showcase, "Indie By Design," on tour, up the coast of California. And they produced California's first ever Independent Music Festival, San Diego Indie Music Fest.