Nicole Brice
Nov 22, 2024
‘High Desert Lows’ is an EP full of songs that speak of truth.
One thing I love about discovering new music is that you never know what you’ll find when you hit that play button. Case in point, the newest EP from Doctor Nez, aka Kenny Charters, a desert rock musician originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who now resides in Colorado. I had no clue what to expect upon listening to his newest EP for the first time, but I was pleasantly surprised and impressed once I sat down to consume all 27 minutes of his unique blend of desert rock.
Doctor Nez's music, with its crisp, clean vocals, resonates with the human experience. His lyrics, which touch on truth, sorrow, focus, and determination, are a reflection of life’s ups and downs. His music is not just good rock with some twists and turns, but a mirror to our own life experiences and struggles.
Doctor Nez, who has released two EPs of original material since early 2024, is a musician who is not just honing his craft but also making a significant impact. His music is a testament to his dedication and passion, inspiring others to strive for their best.
His latest release, High Desert Lows, was released on November 15, 2024. It is a solid EP full of tunes sure to pique your interest. We break down the tracks for you below.
Mark the Grave
“Dead inside yet somehow breathing” – powerful opening lyrics for an opus of a song. Heavy guitars with a steady groove – this song pulls you in because of the powerful words. I had to turn it up and repeat it several times to truly take in all the lyrics. It's a solid rock tune.
If You Know the Deal
It's a head-nodding tune full of fuzz with a classic rock sound that starts loud but then tones down its vibe with softer lyrics full of introspection. As the chorus kicks in, this tune kicks it up a notch. Great track.
Left All Alone
It has an interesting vibe with the opening – I can’t exactly describe it. It's a very cool and laid-back tune that progresses into a heavy chorus.
Among the Pages
Tranquility is the word that pops into my head when I hear this instrumental tune. The guitar parts have a tranquil aura. It’s a bit softer than some of the other tunes on this EP, but I can hear the blues influence.
In the Shadow of a Mountain
It's another softer track that begins with a very ethereal sound. The crackling in the background makes me think I’m sitting around a campfire with an acoustic guitar. The vocals are soothing. I closed my eyes to listen to this one because I wanted to truly be immersed in it. It's a beautiful track.
High Desert Lows
It is an enjoyable track full of alt-grunge sensibilities. The vocals on this track soar.
Left All Alone (radio cut)
An altered version of the original track made radio-friendly.
After I finished listening to High Desert Lows, I still had a few unanswered questions, so I reached out to Doctor Nez for more clarification. Check out our conversation below.
MaM: What message would you like people to take away from your music? Your lyrics are potent and inspiring.
Doctor Nez: My biggest goal is for listeners to extrapolate their own meanings from my music, but I can certainly give an idea of this EP's mood. ‘High Desert Lows’ is a labor of hate -- it is about places and situations where I was absolutely miserable and would never want to be again. That being said, I hope that every listener can relate at least one song to their own struggles and know they are not alone in feeling this way...they're not the first, and surely not the last. I hope people can bury themselves in at least one song, tunnel through, and come out the other side knowing that whatever they battled to relate to this, that by continuing, they've already won. You can find a similar message at the end of the 'Mark the Grave' music video on YouTube.
MaM: Do you have a favorite track on this EP, and if so, which one?
Doctor Nez: I have two. From a production standpoint, it's absolutely ‘Mark the Grave.’ I think it's currently my "gold standard" for the minimum level of quality for future releases. The whole EP was written, recorded, and mixed by myself in my un-sound-treated basement, so I feel exceptionally proud that I was able to make something so (in my opinion) top-notch. From a music/songwriting perspective, it's ‘High Desert Lows.' Sometimes, I almost forget that it's me; I really feel like I nailed the mood with the lyrics on that one, to the point that it didn't even need a true second verse. It'll also be tough to out-write that riff.
MaM: I am in LOVE with the track, 'Among the Pages.' What was the inspiration behind it, and how did it come about?
Doctor Nez: ‘Among the Pages’ is a funny one. Every record I make is likely to have a weird, atmospheric instrumental because that's one of the things I do in my free time. I'm the game master for a long-running Dungeons and Dragons campaign (which my wife, For the Love of Chuck, streams on Twitch), and I decided early on in the game to make my own music for the game. ‘Among the Pages’ started as the background music for a huge, imposing magical archive belonging to a God. Over time, I felt it pulled the same emotional strings for me as some of the low moments while writing 'High Desert Lows', and I knew it had to be the sound that led into ‘In the Shadow of a Mountain.’
MaM: Do you have any plans to tour in 2025?
Doctor Nez: I'd love to play some shows in 2025. I'm doing everything myself right now, and it's very important to me that I find a few musicians who like the music enough to really get into it in a live setting. Economics is a big hurdle, too; I won't bring someone in to play my music if I can't pay them. I already have a prospective bassist interested, but rounding up a drummer and second guitarist could be challenging (Colorado Springs area players, DM me).
MaM: Who do you cite as your ultimate vocal influence?
Doctor Nez: Gosh, that's a tough one. I don't sound like any of these guys, but my top 4 influences when it comes to stylistic choices are Ville Valo (HIM), Sahaj Ticotin (Ra), Matt Scannell (Vertical Horizon), and Tom Templar (Green Lung).
If you want to add a little desert rock to your playlist, start with High Desert Lows by Doctor Nez. Guaranteed you’ll like it.
For more information about Doctor Nez:
Apple Music:
Spotify:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/doctor_nez/
YouTube:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/doctornezmusic
Do you have something you'd like us to review? Send us an e-mail at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com.