HIGH DESERT QUEEN's sophomore full-length "Palm Reader" is bursting with raw energy and radiates the feeling of 666 diesel horses thundering loud. The album is crammed with cool vibes, ripping leads, and a ton of desert fuzz with a focus on great songs rather than trying to stay confined within a corral of a particular style. This untamed attitude took its creative high energy source straight from touring.
When the band from Texas returned home after six weeks travelling the roads of Europe with the legendary FATSO JETSON and watching them improvising jams every night, they had also taken notes. Although a bit worn from the road, HIGH DESERT QUEEN could hardly wait to start recording. Not focusing overly on how parts were played, allowing themselves imperfections, and ditching the click, the music started to flow like never before.
In the very first studio session after the tour, three new songs emerged. Working within a live framework and mindset, the band from Austin, Texas hit the jackpot and "Palm Reader" bears witness to that claim. In more than one way, HIGH DESERT QUEEN have always been a bit different and much more than 'another desert rock band'. Formed in Houston, Texas by singer Ryan Garney and guitarist Rusty Miller in 2019, the duo soon recruited drummer Phil Hook (MONTE LUNA) and relocated to Austin in 2020.
HIGH DESERT QUEEN had what it takes to kick the desert rock scene into gear again. Their vast musical influences ranging from grunge to funk, old school metal to doom and much more provide an ideal foundation for new ideas and a rejuvenating approach to the genre.
Their thunderous, fuzz-drenched anthems are delivered with a healthy dose of groove and catchy melodies, and get a massive boost from an emotional intelligence in their music that's hard to find. The newly-minted sound is linked to the rich heritage of their musical environment, inspiring the style tag 'Texas desert rock'. With "Palm Reader", HIGH DESERT QUEEN have made a quantum leap in their evolution as the Texans found the perfect balance between the well-loved legacy of the desert rock genre and carving out their very own path. Fuelled by the power and spirit of live music, this album rocks as hard and honest as can be done.
