Soon after graduating high school and signing with Northplatte Records, Utah County indie-folk band Desert Noises released their debut, a self-titled EP, in 2009.
Two years and two lineup changes later, Desert Noises are ready to take America by storm as the guys head out on a North American tour and prepare to release their much-anticipated full-length, Mountain Sea, in September.
“The band is actually a band now,” says founding member and vocalist/guitarist Kyle Henderson. “Before, everyone had their own things and we just did the band on the side, but now everyone is way focused. This is what we want to do. I’m quitting my job at Nu Skin to go tour, and everyone else is basically dropping their lives to do this.”
Desert Noises will play Friday before leaving.
“We’re so excited,” Henderson says. “It’s been a lot of work because we’ve had to book it all ourselves.”
Northplatte Records has been behind the band since the beginning. Label co-founder McKay Stevens said he is anxious for people to hear the new album.
“I hope the new record will put Desert Noises on the level they should be on in the indie scene, both nationally and internationally,” he says. “We’re working hard on promoting them across the states and over in Europe, so we’re expecting big things. Ultimately, it’s about enabling them to reach their goals, so I hope the album can do that. They’re so talented, and we really believe people are going to love the next record.”
Those familiar with Desert Noises’ sound have reason to be excited. Henderson describes the new record as “less dreamy and more beat-driven” with “a lot of really cool drum parts.” Stevens also says the new album is much more “rock & roll.”
“This record is a lot heavier,” Stevens says. “The songwriting, the production and instrumentation are better. There was a lot more time spent on this record than the last one. I think Desert Noises had matured a bunch, too, and played tons of shows with amazing bands, so it helped them to get even better … I believe they are the epitome of amazing independent art right now on the scene.”
For Henderson, success is defined not by album sales or how big a venue his band plays, but rather the impact their music has on listeners.
“Recently, Tyler [Osmond, bass] was in the mall, and he had someone come up to him and say, ‘I saw your last show and you guys inspired me to start playing guitar again.’ To me, that’s the main success, inspiring people with the music. That’s enough for all of us. That’s what it’s all about. Helping somebody out in whatever way that is.”
DESERT NOISES
w/ The Devil Whale, Archeology
Velour
135 N. University Ave., Provo
Friday, June 24, 8 p.m.
$7