This week, Valley Rhythms is going back to its roots. Many of you may still remember the first publication to promote local and up and coming musicians here in the Coachella Valley, Desert Rhythms published by Robin Linn, also a vocalist and promoter. Well, this week, Valley Rhythms decided to go back to its original name, Desert Rhythms, that was named in honor of this very special Lady and rekindled life back into the Valley in the Desert Entertainer back when I was their first writer in May of 2003.
Thanks to the CV Weekly publisher, Tracy Dietlin, who is also a long time friend and wonderful Lady, this special moment materialized. A big thanks to both of you!
Desert Rhythms by Robin Linn
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As the sun sets into the desert sky this Friday, October 12, at 7 p.m., The Collective will be taking the stage and wowing audiences at the 7th Annual Joshua Tree Roots Festival. The band, featuring Gene Evaro, Jr., Gabriella Evaro, Ben Kennedy, Bobby Nichols, Piper Robison, Drago, Clint Stoker, Mike Madson and Mitchell Arganda, performed together for the very first time as a band at the last festival in May and were coined the “break-out performance of the entire weekend” by festival promoters and attendees.
The band pulls from a wide range of influences when they co-write in a very improvisational format. The diversity within the group’s range of ages and influences, along with the mutual love and respect they have for each other, seems to create an environment conducive to brilliance. The result is musical alchemy that draws listeners into a vortex…..it’s total escapism! The powerful, high energy set and the passion with which they perform draws in audiences of all ages.
The Collective is quickly gaining popularity in the “jam-band” scene and they have set their sights on the music festival circuit that emerges with enthusiasm each spring and summer. They are also getting attention from the music industry right out of the gate. With only a handful of performances under their belt, they are already collecting a loyal fan base and filling up venues. I believe it is partly because their music has a certain sophistication and seems to come from a highly spiritual and very positive place.
Having been a fan of both the jam-band scene and also a hard rock enthusiast, what works for me is that song after song, I am lifted away from the worries and cares that consume me. At the end of the set, I feel healed and harmonically balanced….ready to face life again, with a renewed attitude.
Bobby Nichols, the band’s guitarist and co-writer, is a seasoned player who pays great attention to details of tone and style. Nichols has dedicated his life to the study and practice of his instrument. His early influences began in Brazil and Chile where he grew up as a boy and those rhythmic stylings are evident in his groove oriented compositions. He is very musical and pays respect to the song first. He seems to speak the language of music as fluently as he does English.
Gene Evaro, Jr. comes from an extensive family of talented musicians. He grew up in his father’s recording studios and understands music in a very complete way. When he and Nichols get together to write, he digs down deep and creates beautiful bass lines that weave in and out and around the guitar lines creating a virtual prism of sound.
Together with Ben Kennedy they create a very strong nucleus to build and layer upon. His drumming approach has a looseness within the tight pockets he creates that is non-conventional and quite edgy. Evaro and Kennedy have been playing together since they were kids, and that long, strong connection erupts on the stage. Evaro’s vocal approach and melody lines seem to come easy.
Joined by his gorgeous younger sister, Gabriella, who sings like an angel, the two have something pretty special going on. There is a pop sensibility, without the usual constraints, that make the music very relatable. Whatever labels one tends to want to give a band these days, it is difficult to pigeon hole this group with a single genre or a slur of several. Their sound is undeniably fresh and different, and extremely relevant to a wide range of audiences.
The headlining act performing at this year’s three-day Roots Fest is international jam-band superstar, Steve Kimmock (said to have been Jerry Garcia’s favored guitar player), featuring Bernie Worrell, Andy Hess and Joshua Tree resident, the beloved Wally Ingram. The Steve Kimrock Band will perform on Saturday, October 13, at 10 p.m. and again at a special benefit concert Sunday at 7:30 pm. I have been volunteering setting up for both annual festivals for over 6 years simply to do my part to help stage these wonderful music events.
The high caliber entertainment English has been delivering to the high desert for the past 12 years with these 2 annual events is nothing short of magical and draws audiences from all over the globe. I have been to hundreds of shows all over the United States and hosted nearly 300 local shows in the Desert. I must say, I have seen the best music of my life right here in my own back yard, thanks to Mr. English.
A 3-day pass to the festival is $90 daily. Passes range from $50 for Saturday to $30 for Friday or Sunday. It is a kid friendly, action packed weekend in the picturesque setting of Lake Joshua Tree. The weather up there is perfect. “Festies” can expect to take in 3 days of cutting edge music in the Joshua Tree landscape. It really doesn’t get much better than this!
For detailed information about the 3-day Roots Festival, visit www.JoshuaTreeMusicFestival.com
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