In this KGNU studio session, Maui-based duo Desert Hollow join host Aaron Benko to share songs from their upcoming album Music for the Folks, out December 6th. They talk about their move from Los Angeles to Hawaii, the challenges and inspiration of island life, and recording 14 tracks in just three days with producer Matt Linesch. Between stories from their four-month tour, they perform live renditions of “Just This One,” “Stoned to Death,” and “Flowers in Her Hair,” showcasing their heartfelt folk sound and close musical chemistry.
Aaron Benko: [00:00:00] All right, we’re back here in the studio with Desert Hollow. Thanks for being here this morning.
Desert Hollow: Thanks for having us.
Aaron Benko: Y’all are based in Hawaii now, right?
Desert Hollow: Yeah, we’re based on Maui.
Aaron Benko: Cool. But originally from LA?
Desert Hollow: That’s right. We met in LA, started the band there, and then a few years ago decided to move out to Maui.
Aaron Benko: Nice. How’s that been treating you?
Desert Hollow: It’s been amazing. Obviously it’s beautiful there, and it’s been really inspiring to our music. But it’s also been a challenge because the music scene is so much smaller, and traveling to the mainland to tour is a whole thing. But we’ve been making it work.
Aaron Benko: Yeah, I bet. I imagine touring out of Hawaii is not the easiest.
Desert Hollow: No, it’s not. But we’ve been on the road for about four months now, and it’s been great.
Aaron Benko: Cool. What’s the first song you’re going to play for us?
Desert Hollow: This one’s called Just This One.
[00:03:00]
Song performance – “Just This One”
[00:06:30]
Aaron Benko: That was awesome. Thank you.
Desert Hollow: Thanks.
Aaron Benko: So that’s off the new record?
Desert Hollow: Yeah, that’s going to be on our upcoming record, Music for the Folks.
Aaron Benko: Nice. When’s that coming out?
Desert Hollow: December 6th.
Aaron Benko: Just in time for the holidays.
Desert Hollow: Perfect stocking stuffer.
Aaron Benko: [laughs] Yeah, perfect digital stocking stuffer.
Desert Hollow: Exactly.
Aaron Benko: So is the record all finished?
Desert Hollow: Yeah, it’s done. Mixed, mastered, packaged up. We’re just getting all our ducks in a row to release it properly.
Aaron Benko: Did you record it in Hawaii?
Desert Hollow: We actually did it in Los Angeles. Our producer, Matt Linesch, has a studio there. He also produced our first album, so it was great to work with him again. We tracked everything live with our band.
Aaron Benko: Nice.
Desert Hollow: We recorded 14 songs in three days.
Aaron Benko: Whoa.
Desert Hollow: Yeah, it was nuts. Fun and stressful at the same time, but a blast.
Aaron Benko: Love it. Want to play another one?
Desert Hollow: Sure. Let’s do Stoned to Death.
Aaron Benko: [laughs] Okay.
[00:09:00]
Song performance – “Stoned to Death”
[00:12:00]
Aaron Benko: That was great.
Desert Hollow: Thank you.
Aaron Benko: That one’s new too?
Desert Hollow: Yeah, that’s gonna be on Music for the Folks.
Aaron Benko: Do you have a favorite on the album?
Desert Hollow: It changes every day.
Aaron Benko: Depending on your mood?
Desert Hollow: Exactly. Some are more fun live, some are more fun on the record. It just depends on what we’re rehearsing or playing.
Aaron Benko: Makes sense. So, four months on tour — how’s it been?
Desert Hollow: Really good. We’ve been lucky to have so much support from friends and family. People have helped us with places to stay, booking shows, just supporting us along the way.
Aaron Benko: That’s awesome. Community’s important.
Desert Hollow: Definitely. It really takes a village, especially to put out music in today’s climate.
Aaron Benko: For sure. Well, you want to do one more?
Desert Hollow: Yeah. This one’s called Flowers in Her Hair.
Aaron Benko: All right.
[00:18:00]
Song performance – “Flowers in Her Hair”
[00:22:00]
Aaron Benko: Beautiful. Thank you.
Desert Hollow: Thanks.
Aaron Benko: That was Desert Hollow here on KGNU, playing some songs from their upcoming record Music for the Folks, out in December. Thanks so much for coming in this morning.
Desert Hollow: Thanks for having us.
Aaron Benko: Have fun on the rest of your tour, and safe travels back to Maui.
Desert Hollow: Thank you
