Desert Daze

By Monica Morones

With the festival craze almost over, Moon Block’s 4th annual Desert Daze, happening May 2nd at a remote magical location in Mecca called The Sunset Ranch Oasis, is going to be just what you need after the madness of Coachella and Stagecoach.  This serene landscape will be the backdrop for an amazing day of diverse music for music lovers and harmonious vibes.   What started out as an 11 day non-stop party with over 100 bands to tie in the two weekends of Coachella, turned into a boutique festival brought to you by musicians for musicians and has since become a champion of the underground L.A. rock scene and up and comers.

Originally the location was set to be in the High Desert, which seemed ideal but problems with permits led to a search of surrounding areas.   When I asked promoter and curator Phil Pirrone how they decided on The Sunset Ranch being their location for the festival he said, “All we did was literally look on Google Maps for a large piece of land, and discovered The Sunset Ranch. It was a perfect fit. Every time I go back to check on the property and it’s time to work on the festival, there is an overwhelming sense of calm.”

If you wondered like me how this smaller festival stays alive so close to Coachella and Stagecoach, just look up some of the bands playing.  It’s not about getting loaded, or just going for “the experience” like they say about Coachella.  The music and serenity of the location is what draws people to Desert Daze.  Phil Pirrone describes it as “Mellow, like a party you were invited too.”

I’m not going to lie and say I knew all of the bands, but as I researched Desert Daze and the line-up, I became enthralled by all this new music I had never heard of and now am a fan.  I asked Pirrone how they chose who is going to perform and who he was excited about and he said, “All of them!  As curator of the festival with a select amount of other people, we want to be the champion to showcase bands that are amazing.”  It’s not all L.A rock scene but its close.

Headlining is the indie rock band Warpaint from L.A. and I have to say one of my favorites; bad ass females, catchy lyrics and an IDGAF vibe which I can relate to.   DIVV is also a band I’m excited to see.  DIVV’s two guitars create a melodic atmosphere and have a close your eyes and just listen kind of feel, almost like I want their songs to follow me around and be the soundtrack to my life.

RJD2 is a DJ/producer out of Columbus, Ohio bringing cool funky beats to the mix.  Dan Deacon is famed for his live shows, he just recently released the album Gliss Riffer in February, so I’ll be interested in seeing this “famed” performance and hear his new work live.

L.A. Witch is a band out of Los Angeles and I guess you can say I have a thing for an all-female band that kicks ass.  Heavy reverb, emotion soaked lyrics, and psychedelic indie rock vibes has them playing on my iTunes right now.  This isn’t their first time playing Desert Daze and I asked them what was their favorite thing about it, “Our favorite thing about Desert Daze is meeting new bands, hearing new music, and being part of a festival that is more intimate and allows you to connect more with the bands and the audience.”

If you’re into deep funk then The Budos Band is the band for you.  They are an instrumental band from the east coast and are known for afro beat, funk, soul, and psychedelic rock music.   Chelsea Wolfe is another band returning to Desert Daze.  She is described as being the female version of Marilyn Manson. When it comes to her videos and looks yes, but not the music.  Her music is experimental and dark, yes, but something of her own.  She is a favorite of the L.A underground scene and has quite a following.

White Lung is a heavier indie rock band from Canada and I have to say their name is clever: White Lung– A usually fatal pneumonia that occurs in infants with congenital syphilis. The lungs are pale, airless and undergo fatty degeneration.  When I listen to their music the name fits perfectly for some reason.

It wouldn’t be a desert festival without including some of our local indie rock bands now would it?  And if you live here, local doesn’t mean Los Angeles.  Local means bands like Desert Hot Springs band Slipping Into Darkness; grimy, psychedelic rock, with a touch of “fuck you” written all over it.  They have graced the main stage at Coachella and have been touring and spreading their DHS-ness wherever they go.  “We are really excited to play this year’s Desert Daze.  It’s a fun festival with all kinds of cool things to do and see. The line-up is bad ass too. So many great bands are performing this year.”

Also returning to Desert Daze is local band War Drum who is currently in London sharing a bill with other local desert band Brant Bjork for Desert Fest London.   Their sound is psychedelic desert rock and has a sound similar to The Doors.  War Drum fits right in with the Desert Daze lineup and is a local favorite.  “Desert Daze is the type of festival our band loves to be on, we get to share the stage with some of the most premiere underground acts in the world. And it just seems to keep getting better and better,” shared Jack Kohler.

I would love to describe all the bands to you, but I suggest you go and make your own assessments because there are a lot of great bands playing.  Four stages, lots of food trucks, dust, camping, and raging music heads jumping around. Just think of it as a smaller, cooler, more intimate Coachella.  Moon Block has been throwing events since 1998 and they don’t disappoint.  They produce a few music and art festivals such as Beyond the Witching Hour, and Moon Block Party at the Pomona Fairplex.  With a crew of over 100 people now and a group of musicians and friends that make this event possible,  it is no wonder that this gem of a festival is gaining notoriety and is one of the go to underground festivals out here in the desert.