By Joni Wright
In a year and a half, The Flusters have propelled themselves from a relatively unknown band to local stardom on the Outdoor Stage of the country’s biggest music festival. This talented lineup consists of Doug VanSant Jr. on lead vocals/guitar, Danny White on vocals/lead guitar, Mario Estrada on vocals/bass, their newest bandmate, Daniel Perry on drums, and Will Sturgeon of local band Brightener who often accompanies The Flusters on the keyboard. The guys have gone from playing cool local venues like The Hood Bar & Pizza, Schmidy’s Tavern, and Date Farmers Studio, to nabbing a coveted spot at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
I sat down with the easygoing-yet-energetic members of this dream-surf band, and their excitement was palpable.
CVW: “As a newer local band, what did it feel like to share the Outdoor Stage at Coachella with such bands as Cold War Kids, Halsey, Jack U, and Zedd?”
Doug VanSant: “Sharing the same stage with artists I’ve followed for years was surreal. I remember seeing Cold War Kids years ago in Philly, and as usual when I saw bands perform live, I would ask myself, ‘I wonder if I’ll ever make it to a stage like that?’ The feeling is pretty amazing once you do.”
Mario Estrada: “It felt crazy to be playing on the same stage as so many other amazing artists. To think that Jack U had been the most recent act to play the stage before us was mind-blowing. It was also humbling because it really inspired a sense of urgency in us to cultivate our live show.”
Daniel Perry: “The feeling of being on the same side of that stage as some of the artists I have seen in the past is such a reward in itself. Especially at a festival of this caliber.”
CVW: “At Coachella, bands you admire, respect, and listen to become your peers. Describe this.”
Doug VanSant: “Conversing with bands I love backstage during the festival was amazing. They are still my idols, but in a way now, they seem like peers too. I made sure to remain opportunistic; when I saw a musician I recognized, I immediately went over and introduced myself as a member of The Flusters and gave them a card. These are the people we want tours with, relationships with, you never know…”
Danny White: “It felt surreal to ride on the golf cart with one of the guys from Beach House and to be treated by them as an equal is an amazing feeling. I think most good artists have a mutual respect for other artists and um, there was a lot of love.”
CVW: “There is an expansive amount of musical talent in this desert. What do you think it is about this valley that musicians thrive on? And what, if anything, about this desert has flavored The Flusters’ sound?”
Doug VanSant: “The deserts’ aesthetic has definitely inspired our music tremendously. I came to the desert with a few ideas rattling around in my head but living here has affected my writing in more ways than I realize. The fans and local support ALWAYS inspire us.”
CVW: “What did you learn about yourselves individually as performers, and collectively as a band, after reflecting on this experience?”
Doug VanSant: “I realized that The Flusters, as a unit, could get it done. We all suited up and played our best show to date. The most important thing I learned was that what we are doing is real. The idea alone blows my mind.”
Danny White: “It made me realize that we’re only just starting. Yeah, like this morning I woke up at 8 a.m. and sat down with a pen and paper and wrote what I think is the beginning of a beautiful song. I play music that I feel. I don’t specifically know where it comes from but when I play it comes from my heart.”
CVW: “What is next for The Flusters?”
Doug VanSant: “We have two exciting things occurring in the very near future: the release of our debut EP this summer with a huge album release event and a fall tour. The rest of our future has yet to be written, we certainly hope it’s a bright one.”
