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Desert Daze (13 Oct 2017)
Desert Daze 2017
Institute Of Mentalphysics in Joshua Tree, CA More Info: desertdaze.org Lineup: Read More
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Even sitting here now I feel a bit guilty for unveiling this mystical Desert Daze event that takes place in the high desert of the wondrous Joshua Tree, California. Rock bands, artists, hippies and music enthusiasts gather here for a weekend of spiritual enlightenment and psychedelic tunes that make you wonder if we’re indeed in the middle of a revolution; if it’s 1969 all over again but this time evolved in a new paradigm shift of consciousness…and without the over-saturation of LSD and pot (though, of course, there was LSD and pot). Since it first started in 2012 it’s been the land of octagon-shaped tents, tea ceremonies and tarot readings. It’s a village filled with artist instillations and children running a muck through cacti and tiny tents made out of tapestry and bird feathers. It’s Burning Man meets Coachella, sans pretentiousness and debauchery. From what I experienced (and I immersed myself in all things DAZE), it was nothing but smiles, kindness and a deep, deep love and respect not only for the artists who graced us with their talent, but all the other humans who came together to create this special event that gave people one of the best weekends of our lives.
So from me personally, Desert Daze, an enormous THANK YOU. What a beautiful, sacred space you have created for so many like-minded people to enjoy.
Now on with the bands.
Friday was jam-packed full of the good ones. I was running around like a bunny escaping a briar patch making sure I got a couple songs in of all of my favs along with the acts I was particularly curious about. First up was Orange Kyte, which I only caught the tail end of. They were bright and upbeat, and the song, Anti Establishment Haircut, mentioning a ‘cinnamon hotel’ was rad.
Next I caught L.A.’s Big Search at the Moon stage, and their cover of Tom Petty’s A Face in the Crowd really pulled on my heartstrings. Can’t Understand The News seemed to resonate with the crowd, with the lyrics ‘Time is burning up, it’s burning both fast and slow. And in America, oh I don’t know what I know.’ It was a super chill set to start off the weekend. They ended with their groovy tune Distant Shore off their album Life Dollars.
Fellow hoosiers (Indiana) and now L.A.-based band Triptides performed at the Block Stage to super happy fans. This melodic psych-pop rock group has the scintillating jams with all the 60’s summer elements. The song Resolve on their latest album Afterglow was the crowd pleaser and everyone was doing a little jig. There was a ridiculous amount of dancing everywhere, for that matter.
The group Prettiest Eyes from L.A. really won me over this time (I saw them at a little dive bar a couple years ago and the heavy industrial noise was a little much for me). But they slayed in this environment. The bass player Marcos is a BEAST and a loose cannon on the stage, running around with his cowboy attire (the whole group in fact was decked out in Western gear). Pachy’s vocals are beyond stellar and echoed through the desert like a howling wolf. Don’t Call, which I believe is on their new album that drops November 3rd, was a gnarly spacey track that I really dug. Pachy also had to play drums standing up because he hurt his foot in a motorcycle accident and I thought this really added to their commanding vibe.
I wasn’t privy to Holy Wave before the festival but they have a really groovy sound. The guitarist had the coolest multicolored Fender I’ve ever seen. They’ve got a really garage/psych sound and their album RELAX (2013) is killer. Their recent single How Was I Supposed To Know was accompanied by proper psychedelic background visuals and allowed the steady wave of leaning your head back into a trance.
I was really looking forward to La Femme, the psych-pop indie band from Paris. Their music is fun and cinematic, comparable to a Claude Chabrol Or Godard New Wave film filled with attitude and lust and all things Parisian. Marlon Magnee yelled out during soundcheck, “What’s up Desert Daze? Are you having fun with your kombucha and your tofu?” Meanwhile he chain-smoked while setting up for the show. Clemence Quelennec was adorable in red ninja pants and a red beret, and her voice was just spectacular in Elle ne t’aime pas. She rapped incredibly fast to Exorciseur which was fun. Their guitarist blew my mind. These guys have that je ne said quoi, you know what I mean? I’m into it. Solid buzz with the kids. Midway through their set Marlon crowd surfed and everyone was boogying and laughing under the sun.
I caught Panda Bear but was sorely disappointed…it was pretty mild and underwhelming. He did end with Tropic of Cancer though which I think is a dope song.
Arrow de Wilde of Starcrawler is a badass and I loved their set. She is androgyny at its finest, decked out sparkling Hanes briefs and not giving a crap in the world. They covered Petty’s Mary Jane’s Last Dance and played their super-mega hit Ants.
Female 80’s inspired rock duo Deap Vally, with Lindsey Troy and Julie Edwards, played in the Wright Tent and man can these girls wail. These two ladies met in a crochet class in Silverlake, CA. Their riff-heavy album of ’16 Femejism is as sexy as a Joan Jett album with the rock glitter of the Black Keys mixed with the White Stripes, and the band has played alongside artists like The Vaccines, Muse and Marilyn Manson. Gonna Make My Own Money was the highlight and Lindsey was doing backbends with her guitar towards the crowd. Bad For My Body was also a heavy hit of grunge and distortion from this duo.
Ty Segall rocked out with fans going wild and starting mosh pits. I heard a lot of people say that they were most excited to see him at the festival. Ty and his band played mostly new songs, one that he dedicated to his Dachshund called Fanny (so sweet), saying “She’s my favorite thing in the world”.
Oh, Kurt Vile and Courtney Barnett. Oh my goodness was this just beyond a treat. First of all, separately as artists, these two are powerhouses with some of the most recognizable vocals and prolific lyrics. And together? They have some of the best camaraderie I’ve ever seen on a stage. These two really seem to love each other, and their album Lotta Sea Lice proves just that. They played the little love song Let it Go to start and you can tell these guys are just two peas in a pod that have a mutual adoration to one another. Continental Breakfast, another one off their album, is as sweet as it comes with an endearing music video to match, showing the two running around and playing together in a house with friends and family. God, if these two aren’t just the perfect depiction of a singer/songwriter duo…I really don’t know who is. Kurt then told the crowd, “This one is my FAVORITE! Easy on the eyes…” and they went into Courtney’s hit off her Sit and Think album, Depreston. Then they went on with Blue Cheese, and Pretty Pimpin. These two are kindred spirits and I’m stoked to see more of the magic they will make.
Ariel Pink was the last set for me for Friday, starting with White Freckles and I Wanna Be Young. Kurt Vile came out and kinda played on the tambourine in my favorite tune Feels Like Heaven. Then it was the obscure and trippy track Time To Meet Your God, also on the Dedicated to Bobby Jameson album. They ended with a Donnie and Joe Emerson cover, Baby, and Do Yourself a Favor.
To Be Continued...|
Desert Daze Art Installation |
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Big Search |
Big Search Setlist |
The Orange Kyte |
The Orange Kyte |
Triptides |
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Starcrawler |
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Prettiest Eyes |
Prettiest Eyes |
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La Femme: Marlon |
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Starcrawler |
Badbadnotgood |
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Courtney Barnett |
Courtney Barnett |
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Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile and The Sea Lice at Desert Daze Festival 2017, Joshua Tree (13 October 2017) |
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