A DAY IN THE DESERT
Cosmic Kids' two hour ambient mix celebrates the most epic day ever
We had an idea to do Earth in the desert at sunset with some of our favorite contemporary acts. A DAY IN THE DESERT is the first in a series of intimate live music experiences where ’SUP invites artists to play in a setting that matches their music. On Saturday, October 27, the mostly all instrumental bands played against a backdrop of mountains, boulder formations, desert plains and turquoise skies, interspersed with cacti and swooning music fans.
As guests were realigning their chakras under the beating sun with yoga instructor Sarah Haasis, Fontanelle kicked things off. Earth played a headlining set as the sun was setting on the hills behind them, lit only by the moon, a small spotlight and 200 luminaries that dotted the land. ’SUP 25 artist Sun Araw’s usual line-up featured Cameron and Ged whose far out jams and noodles sounded perfect underneath the starry sky and almost full moon. Four home-made modular synths were lined up in perfect formation on-stage for Austin band Survive’s first gig on the West Coast. Their spacey, cosmic jams had everyone in a trance.
This Is Music DJ Oli Isaacs and Cosmic Kids interspersed the proceedings with a mix of drone, ambient, dub reggae and stoner rock DJ sets as the tunes reverberated all through the canyon. Guests roamed the 20 acre area to listen to the music in different locations – from half a mile atop a boulder, from within the teepees that dotted the landscape or lounged out on the hay bales in front of the stage.
To celebrate the occasion, Cosmic Kids contributed this stellar ambient mix, and ’SUP photo contributor Leonard Greco sent along the awesome photos. We hope you enjoy both; and see you next time.
Tracklisting:
Juan Maclean – Feliz Casa (Ian Breno Dub)
The Sight Below- At First Touch
Brian Eno – A Clearing
Biosphere- Hyperborea
The KLF – Elvis On The Radio, Steel Guitar In My Soul
Tim Hecker – Aerial Light-Pollution Orange
Robert Fripp & Brian Eno – Wind On Wind
Geotic – Time Passes In a Slow Sundown
Gas – Zauberberg
Tim Hecker – Norberg
Joachim Spieth – You Don’t Fool Me
John Tejada – The Honest Man
Brian Eno & Harold Budd – Failing Light
The KLF – Brownsville Turnaround On The Tex-Mex Border
Waki – Guitar
Alveol – A Moment Of Reflection
Ulf Lohmann – Because Before 8
Ulf Lohmann – Because Before 10
Classixx – A Fax From The Beach (Ambient Version)
Donnacha Costello – Dry Retch
Vladislav Delay – The Third Quarter
Cosmic Kids – Reginald’s Rest
Mark Isham – On The Threshold of Liberty
Boards of Canada – A Moment of Clarity
Cocteau Twins & Harold Budd – The Ghost Has No Home
Tim Hecker – Dungeoneering
James Devane – 15-21
Oneohotrix Point Never – Stress Waves
Stars of the Lid – Austin Texas Mental Hospital Part 1
David Sylvian – Answered Prayers
Photek – T.raenon
En – Already Gone
Dâm Funk – Angel Reflections
