Love Creek

Love Creek is a folk-rock/jam band from Santa Cruz, California. Current band members consist of Malakai Lawton (vocals/guitar), Alex Bahler (lead guitar), Ryan Jensen (bass/vocals), Ed Levy (keys), and Rob Borella (drums). Both “Redwood Grove” and “John & The Hidden Hollow” feature the late drummer John Burton, who sadly passed away in November 2023.

Love Creek pulls from a musical headwaters of jam band and folk rock influences, creating original material that is both heart-felt and powerful, both lyrically and instrumentally. Along with a growing repertoire of original songs, Love Creek performs music written by artists such as; Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers Band, Jerry Garcia Band, as well as many others.

Malakai, who grew up in the Santa Cruz mountains, started playing guitar at age 12. He and lead guitarist Alex Bahler met in middle school and earned their diplomas at San Lorenzo Valley High in 2019. At which point, the two decided to start a band. Alex introduced Malakai to Scotts Valley fretman Ryan Jensen who joined them on bass. Malakai met percussionist John Burton while participating in the Boulder Creek Community Relief program to assist those affected by the CZU fire. John brought keyboardist Ed Levy into the group.

Officially choosing the name “Love Creek,” their first show with all five of them, was at the annual 4th of July BBQ at Junction Park, in 2021. Now the band is well established in the busy local music scene with a pedigree of performances.