Derek Monypeny & Kelby Clark with Dan Padley

Derek Monypeny

Born in the Arizona desert, a veteran of multiple explorations into the Sahara desert via Morocco and now a resident of the Mojave, Derek Monypeny sees his musical mission as adding to and expanding on what he calls the "desert continuum;" the psychedelic sirocco swirl of desert-based stringed instruments played with utter abandon by musicians the world over.                                                    Derek uses a variety of instruments to achieve these ends. In addition to guitar, he has recorded an album of solo oud recordings (Don't Bring Me Down, Bruce) and is currently performing and recording using the 15-string bulbul tarang (Indian electric banjo).               Derek is a former member of the bands Oaxacan (Oakland, CA), ALTO (Portland, OR), and Sir Richard Bishop's Freak Of Araby Ensemble. He has collaborated and toured wth artists such as Bill Orcutt, Jozef van Wissem, Mike Watt, Eva Aguila, and many others.

Kelby Clark

Kelby Clark is a Los Angeles-based banjo player originally hailing from South Georgia. He is inspired by the old-time music of his home state as well as drone, free improvisation, raga, and many other forms of both experimental and traditional music from around the world. Clark has released records and tapes on labels such as Tentative Power, Working Man Lay Down, Garden Portal, Aural Canyon, and Vaagner. He has also collaborated with other artists including Donald Miller (Borbetomagus), Joseph Allred, Jeremiah M. Carter, Sarah Viviana Valdez, Hal Lambert, and Mitchell Mobley. His most recent solo LP titled Language of the Torch was released in January of 2025.                                                                                                                                                                                                        "The way Clark attacks his instrument, allowing songs to unspool in tumbling, organized chaos is magnetic and feels distinctly his own" - The Quietus

Dan Padley

Dan Padley is a guitarist/composer based out of Iowa City, IA. Since studying music at the University of Iowa, Dan has performed with many artists, including Deb Talan, Wayne Newton, Elizabeth Moen, River Glen, Dana T, Blake Shaw, comedian Jimmy Pardo, and many more. Dan has released several albums and EPs, including his most recent full length 'Crumbs, part II'.