The Heavy Desert Podcast

The Heavy Desert Podcast sits down with Kyle of Good Boy PR, one of the underground heavy scene's most respected publicists, for an inside look at how bands can cut through the noise and get their music heard.

Kyle traces his journey from discovering Hendrix, Zeppelin, Queens of the Stone Age, and the endless stoner rock rabbit hole to writing for Stoner Hive, contributing to Doom Charts, and eventually launching Good Boy PR during the pandemic. Along the way, he shares how a passion for supporting great music turned into a thriving PR career built on authenticity, relationships, and genuine enthusiasm for the bands he represents.

The conversation digs deep into the realities of music promotion, including when bands should invest in PR, common mistakes artists make when planning album rollouts, how far in advance campaigns should begin, and what separates successful underground bands from those that struggle to gain traction. Kyle also offers valuable advice for newer artists on building momentum, engaging with fans, and navigating today's social media landscape.

Plus, Kyle highlights some of the underground outlets he believes have the biggest impact on the scene, discusses emerging hotspots for heavy music, and shines a spotlight on exciting bands including Mothertomb, Hexecutioner, Hempire, Vulture Neck, Erosions, Psalm, The Crooked Skulls, and many more!
Whether you're a musician looking to level up your promotion game or a fan eager to discover your next favorite band, this episode is packed with insight from someone working behind the scenes to keep the underground thriving.

With Violet Rising gearing up to bring their heavy-psych sound to RippleFest Mexico in Mexico City on November 14, The Heavy Desert Podcast welcomes Christi, Ricardo, Chris, and Gabriel to the show for a deep dive into the band's origins, influences, creative process, and rapid rise within the underground heavy music community.

The band traces their roots back to formative inspirations like Rage Against the Machine, Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Deftones, Primus, Dead Kennedys, and Ozzy Osbourne, while sharing stories about learning their instruments, teaching music, and finding their creative voices. Christi opens up about overcoming self-doubt and the meaning behind the name Violet Rising, while Ricardo discusses his journey into stoner rock and his now-legendary stage performances behind the drum kit.

The conversation dives into the collaborative songwriting process that fuels the band's increasingly heavy sound, Gabriel's seamless transition into the lineup, and their experience appearing on PBS's Bands of Enchantment. The band also reflects on unforgettable moments, including opening for Living Colour, earning a mention in Sunil Singh's Sonic Seducer, playing RippleFest and  HUFRFest, and experiencing the uniquely supportive stoner rock community that continues to propel them forward.
With new songs in the works, an album on the horizon, and a growing reputation as one of New Mexico's most exciting heavy rock acts, Violet Rising is charging ahead with their heaviest material yet.

Join us for a conversation filled with laughter, road stories, desert-rock devotion, and a reminder of why the underground remains one of music's most welcoming communities.

On this episode of The Heavy Desert Podcast, Kostia Newt and Michael Johansson of Berlin-based heavy rock trio Deadroads join the show to talk about their whirlwind rise, their debut album Songs From the Cave, and why capturing raw energy matters more than chasing perfection.

The conversation begins with the musical influences that shaped the band members, from Kyuss, Nirvana, and 90s grunge to Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maiden, and even Phil Collins. Kostia shares the hilarious reason he first picked up a guitar, while Michael explains how watching Lars Ulrich behind the kit made him want to become a drummer.

The two dive deep into how Deadroads came together in Berlin, forming from a shared love of heavy riffs, grunge, and spontaneous creativity. They discuss their songwriting process, building songs from demos and recorded rehearsal jams, and how tracks evolve organically through collaboration rather than rigid planning.

Kostia and Michael also break down the recording of Songs from the Cave, revealing why the album was captured live in the studio with minimal takes, no click track, and plenty of room for happy accidents. The duo shares stories about mistakes that became permanent parts of songs, the beauty of imperfection, and why preserving a moment in time was more important than flawless performances.

The discussion explores the realities of being a DIY band, balancing family life and full-time jobs while writing, recording, booking shows, and even hand-assembling limited cassette releases. They also reflect on the surprising international response to the album, its placement on the Doom Charts, and what it's like seeing listeners around the world connect with music created by a band that's only been together a short time.

And Mark Richard of The Jam Yeti Music Blog returns with a review of the album for another Jam Yeti Music Minute.

If you're a fan of fuzzed-out riffs, grunge-infused heavy rock, authentic DIY spirit, and stories from a band finding its voice in real time, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Tune in and subscribe!

Why are some incredible underground rock and metal shows packed while others struggle to draw a crowd? In this deep-dive episode of The Heavy Desert Podcast, concert correspondent Chris McGowan joins the show along with John Gist of Vegas Rock Revolution and Planet Desert Rock Weekend to tackle one of the biggest questions facing the heavy underground: what's really happening with the live music scene?

John shares the story behind Vegas Rock Revolution, how he transitioned from fan to promoter, and the lessons he's learned booking shows, marketing events, and building Planet Desert Rock Weekend into one of the premier gatherings in the heavy underground community. Chris brings a boots-on-the-ground perspective from the Chicago scene, including recent concerts featuring Monolord, Khemmis, Earth Tongue, Down, Howling Giant, Greenleaf, Crystal Spiders, Shadow of Jupiter, and more.

The conversation explores why great bands sometimes play to surprisingly small crowds, the importance of marketing, Facebook events, Spotify data, Bandsintown, Songkick, social media collaboration tools, tour promotion, ticket-buying habits, and what bands, venues, and promoters can do to get more people through the door.

John also pulls back the curtain on how he evaluates bands, what catches a promoter's attention, the realities of tour economics, and the behind-the-scenes challenges of assembling the Planet Desert Rock Weekend lineup.

Whether you're a fan, musician, promoter, venue owner, or simply passionate about supporting live music, this episode is packed with practical insights and hard-earned experience from two dedicated champions of the underground. So make sure to tune in and subscribe!

King Buffalo's Sean Roa joins The Heavy Desert Podcast for an honest and engaging conversation that traces the band's journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most respected names in the heavy underground. Sean reflects on the albums that shaped him as a musician, from Black Sabbath's Paranoid to Pink Floyd's Animals, and shares the story of how King Buffalo emerged from the remnants of previous projects, unexpected opportunities, and a relentless drive to create.

Along the way, we dive into the band's DIY roots, the early days touring with All Them Witches, and the evolution that transformed King Buffalo into the powerhouse trio fans know today. Sean pulls back the curtain on the making of the upcoming album Doomsayer, revealing how the band sifted through dozens of hours of improvised jams, refined their songwriting process, and intentionally crafted a more direct, riff-driven record while settling into their newly built studio.

The conversation also explores the realities of life on the road, the challenges of building a career without shortcuts, and the hard-earned lessons that come from years of touring, sleeping in vans, and grinding it out long before packed venues and sold-out records became part of the story. From guitar tones and recording techniques to memorable fan encounters and the band's unwavering commitment to doing things on their own terms, Sean offers a candid look at the passion, perseverance, and creativity that continue to drive King Buffalo forward.

Whether you're a longtime fan, a musician looking for inspiration, or someone discovering King Buffalo for the first time, this is the kind of conversation that reminds you why great music is built through persistence, vision, and an obsession with creating something meaningful. Make sure to tune in and subscribe!