An essential thread of Topanga’s legacy lies in the constant songs woven through the canyon. In a community whose culture is practically synonymous with music, becoming a Topanga musician flavors the youth scene like a rite of passage, and has been embraced by locals Theo O’Gara, Aurora Finetti, Allegra Frost, and Thalia Frost. Their band Trillium’s bluegrass melodies emulate the lyricism of the natural world around them. It’s the embodiment of the classic Topanga folk band. With Theo on guitar, Allegra on mandolin and fiddle, Aurora on vocals, and Thalia on the bodhrán frame drum, their collective musicality and passion evoke the storied history of these mountains.
Trillium has performed at venues all around the canyon—most recently the Corral Stage at Topanga Days, as well as at Froggy’s, The Mountain Mermaid, Witch House, the Topanga Farmers Market, the Town Center’s Music Box, and Corazón.
“The reason we’ve been able to grow and develop as a band is because of Topanga,” commented Allegra, expressing the feeling of deep support from their audiences and from the local families with whom they’ve grown up.
Drawing inspiration from artists such as Sierra Ferrell, the band has established a sound that is distinctly youthful yet mature, harmonizing their way through original songs and covers. “Rather than all of us sitting down and writing a song, someone will have the seed, if you will,” said Aurora. “We all water it and give our input on it and then we flesh it out and make it a Trillium song.”
Favorite originals include “Falling Away From You” and “Smoke on the Mountain”, the latter of which is a beautiful, somber reckoning with the flames of the Palisades Fire lashing the landscape of our beloved community.
Aurora continued: “Music is the way I interact with the world; it’s how I express myself.” She has embraced interdisciplinary forms of song, from musical theater to songwriting and instrumentalism. A lifetime of singing has prepared her for this practice of captivating an audience, and the foundation of Trillium is built on the love and friendship between her and her bandmates.
“We can’t not play,” added Allegra. “It’s a really big part of our friendship, and that’s never going to stop. As long as we’re together, we’ll play music.” Adept at a variety of stringed instruments, particularly the mandolin, Allegra sings and plays for the sheer love of it. Indeed, even on a brisk and early Saturday morning, a certain brightness in the musicians’ eyes and hum in their voices enlivened our melodious conversation. As the band has known each other since a young age, playing together is a full-circle moment for these musicians, a culmination of childhood and adolescence, and a coming together on the basis of song.
The newest member and youngest of the four, Thalia, has concentrated on different artistic mediums, particularly in the fine arts. “But, for me,” she said, “Trillium has created a bigger passion for music, and I always feel so free and loose when I play my Irish drum.”
This one-woman rhythm section brings a new ground to the sound, and adds a fourth member to what many have known as a trio.
Theo could not attend our interview as he was away on a camping trip, which the others described as a key source of inspiration for his songwriting. “We very much value nature in our music, and all of our songs have some sort of natural inspiration,” said Allegra. The band spoke of Theo glowingly, conveying the soulfulness of both his character and musicianship as he channels his life experiences into his craft. “Theo is a really unique person,” said Aurora. “He’s gotten past that point of caring about the opinions of others, something a lot of us get caught in. He has this way of looking at the world through a lens of complete purity and authenticity, with such an appreciation for nature. His whole heart is in everything he does.” His musical prowess of a wide variety of instruments contributes to the heartbeat of the band, which has become highly regarded among the local teen scene.
Trillium is rooted in connections with Topanga’s nature and community, and has united these four young people in their journey of growing up. For them, music has been both passion and salvation, and they have found beauty in the circular quality of their art—it gives to them, and they give it back to us.
Listen for the ascending three-part harmonies. Listen for the rhythmic strum and vibration of the strings. Feel the beat of the drum in your spine and limbs. Join them on their journey and be a part of Topanga’s ongoing story.
Learn more @trillium_band
