Danielle Lo Presti may be known as a lesbian chick rocker, but she opened the back door to a more introspective communion of thought, fear, celebration and challenge on her newest CD, Out Loud.

The CD release party takes place at Belly Up Tavern on Sunday, June 25. Be there if you like a “take-no-prisoners” vocal style. Special guests include Jean Grinels, Saucy Monkey and the Underground Railroad.

Lo Presti struck out on her own a few CDs ago (2001) after going in slow circles with a few major labels. She went independent after draining her piggy bank and formed Say It Records. Her resume now boasts two successful indie albums: 22 Mountains and Dear Mr. Penis Head. No more watered-down, expressionless music for this singer, songwriter and performer.

Promoting awareness for independent music, Say It Records created Indie By Design, an ongoing multi-city showcase pushing independent music where it can be heard loud and clear. After joining forces with Champ Records, Lo Presti and musician Alicia Champion (founder of Champ Records) now produce two events that are combined into one major effort: Celebrate Women’s Herstory Month and the San Diego Indie Music Fest.

For Lo Presti, it’s all about positive change, human expression and creating an atmosphere for positive change with musicality that can go anywhere and take you with it.

Danielle Lo Presti & The Masses is already on the map, and its territory is expanding with each new release. In 22 Mountains, Lo Presti took on topics such as prostitution and spiritual transcendence. With Dear Mr. Penis Head, she took on the establishment. Now, with her latest, Outloud, she’s taking on a variety of subjects that range from Pride, breakups and aging to non-traditional marriage and others. It’s all about the message, and she’s doing her part in getting it out to the people.

DLPM took its name from a historical activist magazine that was first published in 1911 in New York City. At that time, the publishers were taking on such controversial subject matter as a woman’s right to vote. DLPM includes a group of very fine musicians: Kelly Bowen (bass), Alicia Champion (singer/songwriter), Angie Tabor (drums), Megan Carchman (guitar), Steven Snyder (keyboards), Tre Balfour (percussion) and Kevin Dow (drums).

After listening to Outloud, I can tell you it’s haunting, mesmerizing, thought-provoking and introspective. It’s also entertaining, with musicality that ranges from lovely harmony and whisper-chat to restrained growls. Lo Presti’s songs are cerebral; they talk to you, challenge you and demand your attention.

My favorite cut has to be “Somebody’s Shoulders,” the first track on the album, which seems to applaud the generations before us who sacrificed so that we could be where we are now. I love the lyric that says we need to “rainbow our perspective.” This song is playful, provocative and challenging at the same time.

“Role Mama” applauds the older generation of women who laid the foundations for the female freedoms many youngsters take for granted. And “No Poetry” could be the counter-anthem to the right-wingers who are forever championing heterosexual love as the only option.

I chatted with Danielle Lo Presti at Korova Coffee Bar recently, and here’s what she had to say.

Gay & Lesbian Times: I heard you’re a native San Diegan?

Danielle Lo Presti: I was born in San Diego and moved to L.A. in 1994. I spent about 10 years in Los Angeles.

GLT: What brought you back home?

DLP: Traffic and pollution were big influences in my decision to return to San Diego. And returning gave me an opportunity to buy my first home, build upon my independent record company and direct my attention to the San Diego Indie Music Fest.

GLT: Does the festival carry a mission statement?

DLP: Yes: to educate the public and to support independent music, art, business and thought. It’s a crime and an injustice that an artist needs a major label to make it in the music business. It’s an opportunity for us to fight for artists everywhere so that we can be heard.

GLT: Can you measure any growth from your first two albums (22 Mountains and Mr. Penis Head) with your latest effort?

DLP: It was a perfect bridge from the earlier albums. The lyrical context is just as bold – child abuse, prejudice, etc. We [Alicia Champion and I] intentionally strayed from the rules, and as a result the CD speaks louder, is stronger and is more musically varied.

GLT: Would you agree that this album would not have been produced by the major labels?

DLP: Absolutely. They wanted me to remain stuck within one groove, to do one kind of music. I write and sing Latin, rock, pop, jazz; I want to use my entire musical palate.

GLT: What’s your music all about?

DLP: There’s one major purpose to my music and that’s to tell a story. I look for a soundscape that will do just that. My choices are very thematic.

GLT: What’s your process for writing songs?

DLP: I always start with a story. I have to have an urge, a powerful story that wants to be told. That’s when I know I’m ready to start. I need to be bundled up with passion. I need to feel it in my skin. No contrivance. I ask myself to paint a picture that is as visceral as possible. I want people to be able to visualize it. There’s scat, rhyme and then melody.

GLT: What happens when you’re collaborating with another musician?

DLP: The collaboration is guided by my story, just as any collaboration for another artist would be guided by the stories they want to tell on their album. With multiple collaborators, we might work on melody, rhyme, lyrics or a bridge. It’s all about bringing the track from a carnation to a rose.

GLT: If you were to describe your music, what words would you choose?

DLP: Music that thinks as hard as it grooves, rocks. That definition encapsulates the fact that it’s very lyrically bent.

GLT: Would you say your music is message-driven?

DLP: Yes. The message might be thrust in your face or simply minimal, but it has to have a message. Even a simple lullaby carries a message. You might call it DLP style – spoken word that can include R&B, rock, pop, jazz, all moving into song stories.

GLT: Does this CD carry more of a subliminal message than the previous albums, and have you tempered your growl?

DLP: There are many subliminal messages included on all three of my albums. The growl remains untempered.

GLT: Would you like to share your favorite track from this album?

DLP: I have a few: “Other Side of Good” and “Sing Myself To It.”

GLT: Do you have any message for your GLT fans?

DLP: I want to thank them for their constant support. The gay press has shown me respect, genuine love and given me a wonderful reception. They have been extraordinary.

Passionate about social change, Danielle Lo Presti will continue to “rainbow our perspective” with her stories and with her music, speaking bravely about subjects that are off limits to other performers. Support positive change and entertain yourself in the process – check out DLPM’s Outloud and celebrate by attending the CD release party at Belly Up Tavern on June 25