Indie folk rock duo, Desi and Cody, released their sophomore effort, Yes, This Is Killing Us, in October via Horton Records. The eleven-song collection highlights Desi’s ethereal vocals, Cody’s stellar guitar playing and the couple’s sun drenched harmonies.
United both through music and matrimony, their latest collaboration exposes the perils and triumphs of relationships. The duo describes their new album as “a dark comedy” as it sonically manifests a refreshing homage to classic 60’s femme fatales with chamber pop and baroque textures, transforming their Okie roots into the realm of futuristic folk. The duo will support the album with North American tour dates this fall.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Desi and Cody about the latest release, challenges, motivations and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I grew up in a small town called Oologah, OK. Birthplace of Will Rogers. I was raised in a very strict Southern Baptist Church, and learned to sing and play guitar to that “Oh Brother Where Art Thou?” type of Folk/Bluegrass/Gospel. My father was also a musician and played in bands in the 70’s. He was a major Beatles head, so as result I was raised on British Invasion and Classic Rock. When I turned 13, I had kinda began to rebel against the pious hypocrisy of the Baptist Church. That’s when I discovered Nirvana, around 1995. If you look at all of those elements, you can begin to get a picture of the influences that shaped my “style” as a musician. It all goes back to my upbringing. – Cody
I grew up in the NorthWest. Depending on where we were living at the time we were somewhere between, around and in Vancouver Washington and Portland Oregon. I am a total grandpas girl and at a very young age formed a special bond with my grandparents here in Oklahoma. So any chance I could I was coming here for the summers! I like to think I’m from here and there. We have five kids in my family so day to day life was busy and hard to keep up with at times. Somewhere along the way we all found something we were good at and found our way. Music was always something I loved! I would sing and preform constantly. Annoyingly so ha ask my brothers! We didn’t have a lot of extra income for lessons or anything outside of school programs so I believe that’s when I just started making my own rules! I couldn’t read music but I could mimic it. I didn’t know all the words so I’d make them up. Today I have moments when I wish I had some sort of music theory background or a better understanding of the rules but then I’ll create something outside of the lines and it ends up being pretty cool! I suppose in a way not having all that has allowed me to create more freely! -Desi
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
I think it was the rebellious spirit of the early 90’s that led me to the path of music. I never really fit in at school or at church. In Oologah, if you didn’t play football or fall in line with the status quo… you were in for some serious hard times. It was a hellish environment for kids who looked at things a little differently. Music became an escape for me. Music was a big middle finger to all those people who had been telling me how to live my life. I never really strayed from that path. It finally gave me a way to handle all this anger. I don’t know if I would’ve made it very far without music. I’m lucky I found it, otherwise I would’ve been a very angry and unstable young man. – Cody
Since I was a child music had been something that brought me joy and felt natural. Somewhere along the way I was silenced and started looking for another path. I had dealt with mean girls and one bully teacher sadly. I was made to feel ashamed and was told I was showing off anytime I’d try out for a school musical or something along those lines. The first round was a group of girls in middle school that would just stop talking to me when I’d get a part in choir or sing a song on the bus. I didn’t know any better at the time and just decided they must be right and that I shouldn’t “show off”. After grade school I made a few attempts at being a part of plays and groups but my fear won every time and I just didn’t feel like I was good enough or deserved to be singing along side people who had been studying music for their entire lives. It wasn’t until I met Cody and we had actually been together for nearly 3 years that this part of me woke up again. He saw something I had hidden away and helped me bring it to the surface again! I struggled with fear, doubt and all the other horrible signs of anxiety but he just continued to write for me and pushed me to find myself again! He’s the reason I have music in my life today. -Desi
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
It’s a little more experimental. A little darker. We kept feeling pressure to be more folky or rootsy. We never really thought of ourselves as “folk” or “roots.” There was this implied sense of allegiance to a bare-bones production style… like we couldn’t use instruments that didn’t literally have strings attached to them. I suppose that stoked that old fire inside of me, that “rebellious spirit,” as they used to call it when I was a boy. Haha. – Cody
I feel like I had a lot more input on this album. In the past Cody always asked me what I thought or for ideas but I had very little to give. Id offer some harmony ideas or a lyric change here and there but that was the extent. I think I just wasn’t sure about myself. The longer I preform and create the more I realize it’s ours not anyone else’s and so I’m a little more fearless! If I mess up…so what. If people don’t like what I’m doing…so what. I just suggest what comes to mind and if it works cool! I think having the incredible band/family we had during the making of this album really helped me to feel that freedom. I have learned so much during this process and gained a new sense of self! -Desi
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
The biggest challenge has been understanding and embracing self-promotion. I never wanted to be a promoter. I suppose social media has become the tool by which we champion our work. You can either embrace it, or fall by the wayside. It is what it is. – Cody
Self promotion!!!! This has been a hard one. Social media has been an incredible resource and there are times when I seriously wonder how bands did anything before! It has its pros and cons I suppose, years ago the bands that made it were the ones willing to physically promote themselves. We just got home from tour and I can’t imagine how we would have done it the old fashioned way. Now artist and patrons have the ability to promote what they do or love by literally sitting behind a tiny camera that we carry around daily. Anyone and anything is available at the touch of a button! For better or for worse. -Desi
What was the last song you listened to?
An Illustration of Loneliness by Courtney Barnett – Cody
“Terrible thing” by AG. I’m crazy for the soundtrack from the new Sabrina series on Netflix! Old classics mixed with new things to discover. It sums up my favorite way to listen to music! -Desi
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
Vinyl then Stream. I stream records, and then if I like them I buy them on vinyl. -Cody
I prefer Vinyl but on a daily basis and in a budget I’d say I stream most of the music I listen to. -Desi
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
Apple Music is my favorite major streaming site. They pay artists better than Spotify, have the largest catalog, and offer improved streaming quality. From an artist perspective I prefer Bandcamp. Bandcamp is an amazing resource for independent bands. – Cody
Apple Music for streaming. I can find what I am looking easily and the suggestions are dead on. The quality is tops too! Bandcamp however is amazing for discovering independent artist or promoting your music as an independent artist. It’s been an incredible resource for us. -Desi
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
Bandcamp. – Cody
Bandcamp for sure! -Desi
Anything else before we sign off?
Just to say thanks for your time and energy. Thank you!! – Cody
Yes yes Thank you for taking the time to ask great questions and help us promote our record! -Desi
