“Oak Tree” — Desert Noises
As a self-proclaimed music connoisseur, I like to make a special effort to properly delve into the sounds of whatever geographic music scene I happen to be a part of. No matter the location, I can always manage to turn up a few diamonds in the rough. Even that process has a caveat, however, with the idea that said music is “really good for a local band.”
Enter norm-breaking group Desert Noises via the “bustling” nightlife of my college town, Provo, UT. Taken under the patriarchal wing of musician/producer Joshua James, the young group has thrived in the burgeoning indie folk scene with a blend of harmony, picked guitar reverb and just a hint of twang. Adoring fans of the nostalgic sounds produced by Fleet Foxes and Band of Horses or the percussive experimentation of Local Natives will find a sense of familiarity in the evocative, ethereal sounds of Desert Noises’ latest LP, Mountain Sea.
One of the standouts on the album is “Oak Tree,” a case study in successful songwriting. Featuring a driving beat and channeling vocals à la Fleet Foxes’ Robin Pecknold, the tune manages to be both toe-tapping and contemplative. But far from copycats, expect big things from these gifted young musicians.
Stream Desert Noises’ Mountain Sea below:
About the Author
Chase Larson is the founder of SOUND. He has written for Men’s Journal, Deseret News, Daily Herald, Rhombus and worked as an editor at the The Daily Universe. When he’s not involved in one of the aforementioned pursuits, he sleeps. Very well. Follow him on Twitter at @chasemlarson, Google+ or at his website ChaseLarson.com.
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