High Desert Queen: Head Honchos
Palm Reader is the second album from Texas desert rockers HIGH DESERT QUEEN and follows on from the success of their 2021 debut Secrets Of The Black Moon. The band have garnered a great deal of attention on both sides of the Atlantic over the past few years, whether for their energetic live shows or hilariously tongue in cheek music videos. Having moved from Ripple Music to Magnetic Eye Records for Palm Reader’s release, it feels like the band is ready for the step up to the next level.
Given that many bands struggle with the curse of the ‘difficult second album’ we wondered whether HIGH DESERT QUEEN had changed their songwriting approach for this new record.
“Absolutely,” says singer Ryan Garney. “These are actually the first songs we wrote in the room together. Our first record began with Rusty [Miller, guitars] and I sending ideas back and forth digitally. When Phil [Hook, drums] came into the studio to help us track, he really helped bring the songs to life. We started to learn where to give the other person room to do their thing and allow them to shine. Now, we have a rule where if you write something on your own, don’t work too deep on it. That way you won’t be ‘married’ to where you think the song should go and instead we’ll take it where it needs to go as a collective.”
HIGH DESERT QUEEN has its roots firmly planted in the classic 90s desert rock scene, yet have very much done their own thing with it, even coining the term ‘Texas Desert Rock’ to match their sound and to pay tribute to the legacy of the genre itself, which – perhaps obviously – the band are huge fans of. Touring with veterans FATSO JETSON in 2023 must have been a dream come true then?
“We’re very aware and feel very lucky to be a part of such a legendary scene,” continues Ryan. “When FATSO JETSON asks you to go on tour with them, you say yes! We saw it as an opportunity to learn. Watching them go about their business and see the love they have for each other and the music is really inspiring. They play the exact same way whether there’s five people watching or five thousand and that was definitely something we learned from.”
While Palm Reader wears its influences proudly on its sleeves, this record isn’t just a KYUSS or FU MANCHU clone. The album still manages to sound fresh and injects new life into the fuzzy formula of old and Ryan recognises that’s not always easy to manage.
“When writing now, I’ve finally been able to detach myself from thinking ‘what would this person do here?’ I used to do that all the time but the rest of the band has really helped me find my identity as a vocalist. It helps when they’re writing such great music behind you too.”
HIGH DESERT QUEEN are one of the few bands around to boast a father/daughter combo in its lineup, with Rusty’s daughter Morgan recently holding down the rhythm section on bass. Far from causing any issues within the band, though, this has only made for a more positive creative atmosphere.
“Rusty told us what a great bassist Morgan is but none of us thought she’d be interested in playing with a bunch of old dudes like us,” reflects Ryan. “But when our previous bass player couldn’t make a few shows, she stepped in and the way she locked in with Phil’s drumming was incredible. She’s done nothing but enhance our band musically and it’s pretty cool to watch them rock out together on stage. Seeing a father being so proud of his daughter in real time is unmatched!”
Seeing this bond between his bandmates means that, if anything, playing live now is even more important – and enjoyable – for the group, especially as a way of repaying the loyalty of their expanding fanbase.
“If at least one person shows up to see us, then they deserve the best that we can give them, so we always try to bring the same energy to every show. Plus, we understand that every opportunity we have to play live is a gift that we shouldn’t take for granted. There’s nothing better than playing live.”
Palm Reader really retains a live ‘feel’ to it, thanks largely to the band’s approach to not using click tracks in the studio and “allowing the imperfections to stay there”, as Ryan says. With so many classic desert and stoner rock songs originating from elongated jam sessions, though, does this mean HIGH DESERT QUEEN had a hard time editing their ideas down for the record?
“Well, songs like Head Honcho and Solar Rain – which are long songs – actually came from a few twenty or thirty minute jams we recorded at practice. With Head Honcho, we went back, listened to the whole thing and realised something cool had happened. It was only about a minute of the original jam but we decided to take that minute and build a song around it. We all agree it’s one of the strongest songs on the record.”
The buzz building around Palm Reader means this is an exciting time for HIGH DESERT QUEEN but, more than anything, they just can’t wait to get back out on the road.
“We’re looking forward to getting back to some familiar places and hoping to get to some new ones too, with European dates booked for this July and August and plans to tour the US in the Fall. We also have plans to get back to the UK soon – we have some great fans there who really seem to love this scene we’re a part of. We have a lot of love for everyone who supports this whole thing – there’s no room for hate in this scene. Only love.”
Palm Reader is out now via Magnetic Eye Records.
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