Its an incredible accomplishment to keep a band together for seven years, especially when that band was started when most of its members were teenagers and has continued the same grueling tour circuit. The Desert Noises have always had a captivating energy about them, but through the years theyve been able to continuously evolve, shaping a better night-to-night product on stage. Haling from Utah, theyve become heavier, less trendy, but have managed to drag along the elements that make them distinct. It seems as theyve become better musicians, they focus less on being safe and more on challenging themselves. We caught up with frontman Kyle Henderson to talk about life on the road and how that affects their songwriting, plus their upcoming move to Nashville.
On how the past seven years has changed them musically. Weve changed in almost every way. Weve grown a lot as players. I think were more comfortable in our own skin in some ways and thats helped create our style. As weve grown, the music has evolved.
On why they dont get burnt out by their relentless tour schedule. At this point weve been doing it for so long that this is what normal feels like. Being somewhere for a long period of time doesnt feel normal to any of us anymore.
On being in the same band you started right after high school in your mid-20s. Its kind of wild to think about that. Its completely unexpected. I started a band at 18 that I had no clue that I would be playing in at 25. I had just barely learned how to play guitar. I didnt even know how to play guitar, really. I just kind of picked it up. I loved it. And I just kept going with it. Then it became everything for me.
On how gritty traveling and consistently hanging out with strangers affects the songwriting. Without those experiences, we wouldnt get the songs. 27 Ways was written about the road, and dealing with home life when I was on the road, trying to sort out whatever that was. Wherever I stood in my own mind, you know. And it was really a developmental album for me. Some very life-changing events.
On how being on the road becomes easier. You just learn what you can and cant do. Its a learning process. Sometimes you think, I can do this everyday, then you realize, I cant do this every day. Its a learning process of what you need emotionally and what you need physically, just to keep going.
On becoming a better live band.
That first tour was so sloppy. Now weve been playing with each other almost every single night. We know exactly how to read each other.
On future recording plans. Were going to be recording this summer. Were making a move to Nashville in June. Im not exactly sure where we are going to record the next record. That depends on the options presented.
On their upcoming move to Nashville. All of us have been in Utah our whole lives. So, at a certain point, you gotta kind of create your own thing and do something away from where you grew up. Also, the main reason is that its easier to tour. Its so much easier to tour out of Nashville than it is from Utah. In Utah, youre driving eight hours to get to the first show. In Nashville, we could drive two, three. Were much more accessible in Nashville than in Utah.
This article appears in March 18, 2015.
