lani trock

Born under the Hawaiian sun, Lani Trock was raised with a guitar over her tanned shoulder and salt in her wavy locks. A young boho beauty, she was writing music by age 15 and soon brought her ocean blues to Santa Cruz. She dove into the coast’s music scene, sitting beside a beach bonfire with Stella in hand. But don’t mistake that bewitching green-eyed smolder for just another cookie-cutter crooner. She’s churned surf-rock and reggae into her uniquely innocent, suddenly sultry vocals that give you no choice but to burn one down. From the Hollywood Hills to Laurel Canyon you can find this girl belting the kind of honest lyrics that restore faith in pop music.

Lani captivated her first audience at age three with her mother by her side. This tiny, sprite of a girl was a natural performer. She moved to San Diego in her teens, songwriting and experimenting. The young artist organically realized her signature sound and brought it to Santa Cruz, playing countless shows including 99 Bottles, The Ugly Mug, Moe's Alley, Coastline Brewery, and opening for Kenny Wayne Sheppard on the Catalyst Mainstage.

Beautiful Santa Cruz suited her, but Los Angeles lights called. She was flattered and thrilled by invitations to perform at legendary venues such as Hotel Café, Molly Malone's, The Rainbow Room, The Derby, and most recently a weekly residency at Crane's Hollywood Tavern.

Unmistakable soul and talent does not go unnoticed. Her song “Bluelight Special” was featured on a compilation CD on Oniric Records to benefit Heal the Ocean with the help of G. Love and Special Sauce, the Animal Liberation Orchestra, and other artists.

Lani recorded her first studio album with award winning producer Christian Davis of Sly Doggie Productions. This fall, she released her debut, “nine” and just wrapped filming an ambitious part live-action, part animated music video for the album’s first single, “Alive,” directed by the incredible Arisara Weranont with the eclectic animations of Ariel Hart.