By Phil Lacombe
In the heart of the Coachella Valley’s desert-rock legacy stands a musician who’s helped shape the sound, spirit, and grit of the scene for nearly two decades. Robbie Waldman, frontman, songwriter, and creative force behind WAXY, has carved out a lane all his own with heavy riffs, psychedelic textures, and a raw, honest approach to music that could only come from the desert. From his early days running Unit A Recording & Arts to WAXY’s latest evolution, Robbie continues to push forward with passion, purpose, and unmistakable desert soul. This week, CV Weekly is proud to shine the Local Music Spotlight on a true valley original.
CVW: The desert has shaped so many legendary artists, how has growing up here influenced the way you write and play music?
Waldman: One of the first things a child coming of age can choose is what kind of music you listen to. It comes from everywhere, friends, family, the devices in our pockets, radio, films, theatre, books, television and of course live performances all have an impact on who gets exposed to what. Something is gonna connect. We are human beings after all. Music, complex rhythms and melody is one of the many things that makes us unique as a species.
Growing up here in the 90’s I was heavily influenced by who was jamming in bands. They were my age which was exciting and visceral. Kyuss, Unsound, Fatso Jetson, Groovalopicus, Across The River, Green Eggs and Hammonds, Cameron Brown, John Stanley King and many others. Knowing they wrote their own songs, recording them and performing them had a profound effect on me. The house parties. The generator parties. Rhythm & Brews. The Desert as a backdrop to all of it was so telling.
As an adult, Ronnie King came into my life with his generosity and uncanny musical talent and ability showed me what a professional badass looked like up close and personal.
All of that gets wrapped up and comes out in the music that moves me and makes me feel …. Innocent , child-like I suppose.
CVW: WAXY has gone through different eras and lineups. What keeps the band’s identity consistent through all the changes?
Waldman: I’ve done a lot of things backwards throughout the years. I owned a recording studio before I ever had a band, but we use what we have a do the best we can with it. WAXY started in 2006ish and I’ve been the main creative catalyst throughout our existence. The main reason for this is because I do most all of the singing and write most all of the music and lyrics. That’s been the link to the past up to the present. That said I’ve collaborated with John Garcia, Ed Mundell, Stephen Feldman, Brett Stadler, Charles Pasarell, Damian Lautiero, Landerra, Owen Street and many others. As people come and go for all the reasons you can think of, it never stopped me from writing…. It may have slowed me down at times but I never plan on stopping…. Writing songs has been a lonesome experience at times…. many times in fact but it’s the only thing that makes me feel like, me.
We have a new record ready to let go of and Carlyn Park got creative with some incredible riffs and lyrics. Super natural and super cool! Nick Fulsher played drums and he has a songwriters approach to his playing. The three of us have a special chemistry. It’s a very rewarding line up. Ivan Hernandez has been jamming on drums recently too. It’s been fun getting to know him and see his style and ability develop.
CVW: Your guitar tone is unmistakably “desert.” What’s the secret ingredient behind your sound, the gear, the dirt, the attitude?
Waldman: That’s a compliment…. so thank you!
No matter what a person does creatively, music or otherwise, the most important element in the creative process is the person who is doing the creating! The tone is in the hands…. As a musician and songwriter I’m giving a piece of myself in everything I do. That’s the trick. That is, there is no trick, just authenticity and sincerity. That’s the attitude…. The approach.
We all come from somewhere and we all hear and see what others have done before us but eventually we find our own voice. For some it’s immediate, for others it takes longer but eventually you will find your sound by finding yourself.
One of the defining traits of the scene I grew up with is loud electric fuzzed out guitars, often tuned down. Punk rock vs heavy rock. For me it’s equal parts Black Sabbath and Black Flag.
The gear although secondary is still important and fun. I’ve been a heavy user of Rat/Pro Co distortion and overdrive foot pedals. All kinds of guitars from Hagstrom’s to Acrylic see thru’s to custom builds. Same with amps. For the last 10 years or so I’ve exclusively played custom amps built by a very good friend of mine and to all the Desert musicians named Nick Mutascio. His company is called Luxetone. Killer sounding amps and I had mine covered in white sparkle. They sound rad and look cool to boot. Fender P and J basses will rule forever as well as big Ludwig drums… Electric pianos like Wurlitzer 200’s and Rhodes are essential sounds. Then there are the little weird things like quirky synths and random sound makers and far out delays and reverbs. Our phones, they play back all sorts of crazy shit. Put a mic on it I say! Use and put to use whatever you see fit. The rules are there are no rules.
CVW: You’ve run a recording studio and been part of the backbone of this music community. How has producing and engineering shaped your approach as a performer?
Waldman: The studio is both an instrument and a microscope. Not to be an authority but I don’t think one can truly call themselves a musician without a desire to learn and healthy curiosity on how to record. With the advent and dominance of computer recording it’s never been easier to do just that. The world is a giant recording studio, and so is your bedroom. One mic, a recording device and a human is all it takes. Of course even that is changing. Now all you actually need is a pulse and a computer, oh dear.
AI is the biggest plagiarizer mankind has ever produced. Flesh is art, computers are tools, not creators. If you want to be good, put the time in. Learn what others have before you and enjoy the process, then pass it on.
The ability to record is a creative and inventive apparatus. It allows you to hear yourself back…. As many times as you can stand. When you start getting experience with the process you either love it or you don’t. I’ve always loved it. The buttons, the speakers, the cables, the volume, the low end, the posters on the walls, the decisions. All of that builds towards a sonic temple. And if you can record song after song and so on pretty soon you’ve got yourself a body of work. I live for that. That’s the studio side of things. Of course that bleeds onto the stage. The source material is the nutrition…. The shows are the cherry on top. Records last forever, the shows are right here right now. You and me, no tomorrow, no yesterday. A not so secret language, medicine.
CVW: If you could describe the new chapter of WAXY in three words, what would they be and why?
Waldman: Perseverance, Love, Gratitude
Perseverance because we keep on keeping on, the creative journey continues. The discovery is still curious, meaningful and delightful.
Love because it’s the most basic and complex simultaneously. The center of ever changing circumstance.
Gratitude because it’s really so impossible that any of us get to be here let alone develop and explore the lexicon of sounds and language. I mean, big picture, no words, so very lucky to exist…
CVW: What’s the wildest or most memorable show you’ve ever played, either in the valley or on tour?
Waldman: Excellent question. I’ve been a part of so many incredible moments on stage. They are all a little weird and special. Once in a University venue in The Basque country we played a gig to an audience of 300. I spoke in Spanish, all be it broken Spanish but I was able to connect not in my native tongue. Basque people often don’t speak English but certainly Spanish as well as their own language. It was a thrilling thing to be able to make an audience laugh and cheer in that way. It was obvious my vocabulary was minimal but I was still able to convey a feeling that everyone felt. That one sticks out as weird and wonderful.
My favorite though has to be our last show at Pappy & Harriets. It was Sunday, August 4th 2024.
We had come back from a string of shows in The Basque Country and the UK. The Basque Country is a home away from home for us and we’ve made some wonderful friends throughout the years. The Desert sound is appreciated there as is WAXY. The band Nina Coyote eta Chico Tornado are an amazing rock duo who are from there and manage to get us incredible shows. So to be able to return the favor was a wholesome feeling. Contentment. Friends being friends. That’s part one, the second part was they are my favorite band! They are incredible!! The show was so good!! So, us and them at Pappy’s. I could live in that moment forever.
CVW: How has the desert rock scene evolved since you first started, and where do you think it’s heading next?
Waldman: The Desert scene hasn’t really evolved in my view, it’s on pause. I definitely don’t see a center or a core to it. I mean I don’t see 3, 4, 5 or more bands doing cool shit together. Recently we’ve befriended the boys in Whitewater. Really like them! That doesn’t mean a scene isn’t here, I just don’t see it. Maybe I’ve aged out of it, that’s most likely. Several world class recording studios have emerged though as well as 3M rehearsal. That’s a game changer right there. Original music and bands have a momentum and it ebbs and flows. The Desert is a mecca for many an artist but when you grow up here inspiration may be in another place, that’s often how it works in the arts. Unfamiliarity is gold.
CVW: When you’re not making music, what fuels your creativity or keeps you grounded outside the studio?
Waldman: Creativity is a mindset. It’s almost always on no matter what’s happening. I really like working on lyrics when walking. It’s a great way to clear your mind, take in your surroundings but also think about phrases and melody naturally. Walking and humming is like ice tea and lemon, essential.
Exercise at large is a great way to keep a clear head and build more energy for those long recording sessions or those late night shows or jamming. Definitely keeps you in the moment and grounded.
CVW: What’s next for you and WAXY, anything fans should keep their eyes and ears open for in 2026?
Waldman: We just finished a new record and we couldn’t be more excited! It’s called Desert Dancers. Nine songs. It will be available for download Wednesday, April 8th 2026. This will be our second album in as many years. Pretty cool.
We have a video coming out shortly called ‘I Would If I’ produced by Rick Rodriguez with subsequent videos to follow. That will be Monday, March 30th 2026.
We are also going back on the road in May to where else…. The Basque Country as well as Holland, Belgium, Germany and the UK for Desert Fest in Camden!
Lastly, we have an album release party at Pappy & Harriet’s Thursday, April 9th 2026. Matt King of Dunes Booking hooked us up. It’s going to be a good one with special guests and past WAXY members. Keep an eye out for that one and support local music.
CVW: Where can fans find you?
Waldman: Friends and the like can find us on the usual social media sites. Instagram and Facebook and our own website
You can hear our music anywhere you stream with the exception on bandcamp. We will be changing that soon.
See you’s soon. Thanks for taking the time.
Robbie Waldman continues to embody what makes the Coachella Valley such a powerful hub for original music, authenticity, edge, community, and a commitment to making art that stands the test of time. WAXY’s journey is far from finished, and as the band enters its next era, fans can expect even more of the raw desert energy that put them on the map.
That’s a wrap on this week’s Local Music Spotlight, but the party doesn’t stop here. Hit the shows, feel the beats, and keep the valley’s music scene thriving. Because around here, the next song that changes your life might be playing tonight.
