INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
THERE’S A SPECIFIC THRILL IN SEEING AN ARITST RIGHT BEFORE THE REST OF THE WORLD CATCHES UP: the room feels smaller, the songs feel like a secret, and you get to say you were there. San Diego promoter and Core Creatives founder Daniella DeFrance is building a whole series around that feeling. STARBOUND is a live music series spotlighting rising artists, wrapped in a retro, outer-space-inspired world that blends Studio 54 glamour with disco-era nostalgia.
The first edition pairs Los Angeles duo The Army, The Navy, fresh off their debut album Fake Brave Life, with Sedona in support. But DeFrance’s vision goes well beyond a single night. STARBOUND is designed as a universe of its own, with artist interviews, editorials, radio play, and an Industry Happy Hour at the top of each show, all aimed at connecting fans, artists, and San Diego’s creative community.
We caught up with DeFrance ahead of opening night to talk about why artist discovery matters, what makes San Diego the right home for it, and what she hopes everyone walks away feeling. Read on to learn how STARBOUND came together and why you’ll want to dress “space disco.”
LUNA: STARBOUND is built around the feeling of discovering an artist just before the rest of the world catches up. What made you want to create a dedicated space for that specific moment in an artist's career?
DEFRANCE: Music discovery moves so fast now, and it feels like there's less space for artists to develop. I wanted to create something that gives artists and fans a chance to connect and build a community around that. My hope is that artists see STARBOUND as a stepping stone, a place where they can build real relationships with fans in an intimate setting before taking that next step.
LUNA: What is it about San Diego's creative community that felt like the right place to launch something like this?
DEFRANCE: San Diego has such a creative, supportive community, and people here really show up for each other. I've seen how much people love having a space to meet someone new and be a part of an intimate event, especially with live music. There's already a great local music scene here, so it felt like a natural place to start STARBOUND: a chance to catch an up-and-coming artist you love or walk in knowing nothing about the lineup and leave with a new favorite. Bringing DJs, artists, student radio, magazines, and local partners into the mix has been one of my favorite parts. There are so many people here doing cool things who are excited to collaborate, and that's what makes building this in San Diego so fun.
LUNA: The visual identity feels very intentional. How important is the aesthetic world of STARBOUND to the overall experience, and how did that direction come together?
DEFRANCE: Thank you! We really wanted to get the branding right and create something people haven't seen before, or at least in a while. We took inspiration from places like Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace and Studio 54 back in the day, then added our own retro outer-space twist. We wanted it to feel nostalgic, playful, and a little unexpected, a reason to dress "space disco" and step into another universe for the night.
Once we landed on the name and vision, the ideas kept coming, and we've been building on it ever since. We're so excited to bring it to life and see where it goes.
LUNA: You're describing STARBOUND as more than a show series, as it'll also include artist conversations, original content, and community-led promotion. What does discovery look like beyond a single night for you?
DEFRANCE: We want to build a whole universe around STARBOUND, where the show is just one part of it. Through artist interviews, editorials, radio play, and more, we're giving artists space to tell their stories and creating content they can share with their own fans. We want people to get to know the artists beyond their sets and feel more connected to what we're building, too.
We're also starting each show with an Industry Happy Hour during the first hour after doors. It's a chance for people working in music and other creatives around the city to meet, exchange ideas, and hopefully find someone they want to work with.
We want STARBOUND to grow through the people who are part of it: the artists, fans, partners, and our team. Everyone brings something to the room, and we're excited to see what comes out of those connections.
LUNA: Why did The Army, The Navy feel like the right first artist to anchor this with?
DEFRANCE: I've known Sasha and Maia, the two geniuses behind The Army, The Navy, for forever. They hold such a special place in my heart, and I'm so proud of them and everything they've built over the past few years. They've grown so much, especially this past year, but have kept that warm, personal connection with their fans that makes being at their shows feel so special. They're funny, creative, incredibly talented, and still so much themselves through it all. I couldn't think of a better pair of rising stars to launch STARBOUND!
LUNA: What do you want someone who walks into Music Box on November 19th to walk out feeling?
DEFRANCE: I want people to leave feeling inspired to create, to support, and to pursue their dreams. To feel that love and energy that live music brings and carry it with them after the show. Maybe they discover an up-and-coming band they're excited to support, connect with someone new, or feel inspired to start something of their own. And of course, to have fun, be in the moment, and enjoy being exactly where they are. Hopefully, they leave counting down the days until the next STARBOUND show!
