This spring and summer, Desert Hearts co-founders Mikey Lion, Marbs, and Lee Reynolds are taking their collaborative vision on the road. Following the release of their latest two-track EP, California, which dropped today (April 29) via Desert Hearts Records, the trio is embarking on an official tour under the collective Desert Hearts banner.
This initiative marks a significant milestone for the veteran Southern California musical collective, as it is the first time the founders have toured and produced studio material exclusively under the unified Desert Hearts name.
The pivot toward a touring and recording project follows the group’s announcement last November that they would pause their annual flagship festival in 2026. “We went into the 2025 gathering with the intent of taking a sabbatical the following year, but the event was so successful that we initially put tickets for 2026 on sale,” the team explained. “Once the dust settled, we realized that producing a festival of that magnitude wasn’t compatible with our long-term goals as individual artists and our personal well-being. We apologize for the initial uncertainty.”
Mikey Lion emphasized that the shift is a strategic move to return to their creative roots. “We collectively decided to step back from festival production in 2026 to prioritize our identity as musicians,” he told Billboard. “Desert Hearts has always been anchored in the music, but the logistical weight of event production eventually eclipsed our artistic output. This year is about rebalancing that scale and embracing our chemistry as a trio.”
“The California EP acts as a homecoming to the sounds and spirit that defined our beginnings,” added Lee Reynolds. “The project embodies the unique West Coast aesthetic that has been the heartbeat of our community from day one.”
Reflecting on the collective’s trajectory, Marbs noted, “Our commitment to radical expression, connection, and music has remained steadfast for over a decade. While we’ve seen various opportunities to shift toward more traditional industry models, we’ve always prioritized authenticity. We aren’t here to chase fleeting trends; we’re here to cultivate spaces where genuine connection remains the priority.”
Since its inception in the early 2010s, the Desert Hearts brand has evolved from a boutique festival experiment into a foundational pillar of the global house and techno scene.
Desert Hearts 2026 Tour Dates
- May 2: Brooklyn, N.Y. – Xanadu
- May 9: San Diego, Calif. – Quartyard
- May 21: Bakersfield, Calif. – Lightning In A Bottle
- May 25: Seattle, Wash. – Monkey Loft
- May 30: Flagstaff, Ariz. – Meow Wolf (Santa Fe)
- June 12: June Jam
- July 27: Quebec, Canada – Groove & Bass Festival
- Aug. 9: San Jose, Calif. – Urbano Blanco
- Aug. 14: Hellisandur, Iceland – Secret Solstice Festival
