Desert Noises returns to Los Angeles for tour


Rock ‘n’ roll is alive and well. Well, indie rock at least, and it comes in the form of Utah-based group Desert Noises. It is as if the grandchildren of Bob Dylan and Jimmy Page met in a skate park and decided to start a band. Their newest album, 27 Ways, came out earlier this year and the band have been up-and-coming ever since.

Colorful background · The band credits a wide spectrum of musical influences, ranging from Led Zeppelin to Modest Mouse. - Photo courtesy of AllEyesMedia

Colorful background · The band credits a wide spectrum of musical influences, ranging from Led Zeppelin to Modest Mouse. – Photo courtesy of AllEyesMedia

The band will be returning to Los Angeles on Oct. 29 to perform at the El Rey Theatre, but they are by no means new to the scene. According to lead singer Kyle Henderson, despite being based in Utah, they have performed in Los Angeles upwards of 10 times.

Henderson, lead guitarist Patrick Boyer, bassist Tyler Osmond and drummer Brennan Allen come together to combine the best parts of the indie, rock and folk worlds in a throwback to when music was simpler. Desert Noises’ second album chronicles their transition from growing up in Utah to touring the country and the experiences that came with it.

It’s clear as he speaks that Henderson stakes no claim in seeking attention or wanting fame — his laid-back manner and soft tone stand to emphasize the simplicity of the band itself. When asked about his favorite track on the album, Henderson was reluctant to pick just one.

“Each one of those songs was really personal, you know, and they mean so much to me,” Henderson said.

The original lineup consisted of Henderson, his brother and a friend. After his brother and their friend left, Boyer and Osmond stepped in and were eventually joined by Allen. Henderson cites their greatest difference from when they released their first album to now is that the band members have settled into their lineup. He explained that their first album saw them still figuring out their dynamic and how they could work together. And while their debut album Mountain Sea showcased their potential, by 27 Ways it is clear the band has come into their own.

Henderson had stopped touring, gone back to school and eventually gotten what he described as “a normal job,” but found that the monotony gave him anxiety.

“I just felt I wasn’t being myself,” he said. Henderson explained that the decision to return to music is what lies at the core of the album.

“What we want [the listeners] to take from [the album] is the joy that we get from doing what was a hard decision, a life-changing decision and we’re kind of hoping it inspires them to do the same,” Henderson said.

27 Ways is an album that carries a personal touch often lost in today’s music industry. Though each song feels as if it was made by the band for the band, there is inspiration to be found in how relatable each song is for the audience. It does not matter that the songs are written about very personal experiences — there’s a universality to each one that allows the listener to understand and relate. The music itself is rooted in alternative rock but branches out into a multitude of genres. From soft whispers of a banjo to the howling of electric guitars, Desert Noises combines recognizable vocals with a different vibe for each song. With the differences in tracks, they still manage to keep the sound clean.

Every component of each song is simple but when intertwined, they create a sound that hits the listener from all directions in the best possible way. The lyrics only add to this overwhelming simplicity. Henderson pens songs that sound heartfelt and raw. By avoiding the overly poetic metaphors and cliché romanticisms, the songs carry more weight and pack a greater punch that is only heightened by the honesty with which they describe the band members’ personal evolutions.

Henderson described how they each have different inspirations that allow for a wealth of variety for all aspects of their band. Apart from the classics of Led Zeppelin and the Eagles, each band member comes with their own musical influences. Henderson himself credited Modest Mouse as being especially influential to him.

As for their live shows, their influence and energy comes from the audience. Henderson said of concerts, “[they] want people to have fun.” The band is known for energetic live shows, and the guys make a point of making each show different. Henderson is especially excited to be playing in Los Angeles again, noting that his favorite thing to do at L.A. shows is tell the audience to smile more.

Desert Noises is currently on tour with The Wild Feathers and The Apache Relay. They will be touring the rest of the year, stopping only to take a break in the winter before beginning again in February. If their music is not enough to intrigue you, then perhaps their hairstyles will compel you to come and see them live.