That Thing In The Desert – Details
January 19th to 28th 2026,
Presented by Valhalla Amplification
With our close friends at Rancho de la Luna, Desert Dome Studio, and Standard Audio Recorders.
The Ethos
Between creative thought and artistic expression lies ‘That Thing in the Desert
There is a real human side to tone that is hard to describe until you feel it. Every time we gather in the dust, something shifts. We feel connected—to the music, to the environment, and to the universe around us. We want to share that feeling with the people who get it.
Kee Mayer (Creator Extraordinaire) and Rick Fors (The Audio Nut) will be on the ground alongside the full Valhalla staff to answer questions, talk tone, and partake in the sessions.
THE GEAR & THE SESSIONS
Bring your favorite instrument or borrow one of ours. Just plug in and hear what’s happening.
The Lineup: The all-new Jotuun Series (perfect for studios and touring artists) will be set up and ready to track at each of the three studios.
The Prototype: Exclusively at the Mothership, we’re taking a deep dive into the custom Rancho de la Luna Combo Prototype. Co-developed by Kee Mayer and Dave Catching and soon to be in production, this unit will be proudly used at Rancho for those bold enough to tame it.
For the Players: You will be tracking with pro engineers, and every player will receive a professional audio file and video of their performance to remember the experience by.
For the Collectors: We believe art should lead the project, supported by the perfect tone. You’ll have the chance to experience our most exclusive Custom Shop creations—functional masterpieces built without compromise, featuring custom point-to-point Class A and Class A/B architecture.
THE KICKOFF.
We ignite the week at The Mothership.
- When: Monday, January 19th | “Noon-ish” until late
- Where: Rancho de la Luna, Joshua Tree, CA
- The Plan: Arrive midday to settle in, grab some food, and meet the crew. Festivities, reunions, and initial gear demos run all day and into the night.
EATS & DRINKS.
We’re keeping the fires lit and the plates full to fuel the sessions.
- Daily Catering: Provided by Desert Greek.
- The BBQ Nights: Keep your nose to the wind for special evenings where Dave Catching and Jimmy Ford take over the pits to create some serious Southern BBQ.
- The Plan: Arrive midday to settle in, grab some food, and meet the crew. Festivities, reunions, and initial gear demos run all day and into the night.
THE STUDIOS & HOSTS
Anchored by Rancho, we will be making spontaneous sojourns to our affiliate studios throughout the week. Transportation is available for studio trips.
Rancho de la Luna (Joshua Tree, CA)
6030 Hallee Road, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
https://www.ranchodelaluna.com
- Hosts: Dave Catching & Chunk
- The Vibe: The Mothership. Legendary, gritty, and home to “eccentric comfort.” This is where the ghosts of rock and roll live.
Desert Dome Studio (Yucca Valley, CA)
https://www.desertdomestudio.com
- Hosts: Yael & Vas Rallis
- The Vibe: The Geometry. Just down the road in the Hi-Desert, this spherical space offers “resonant connection.” Expect immersive acoustics perfect for open-air jams and experimental tones.
Standard Audio Recorders (Crestline, CA)
https://www.standardaudiorecorders.com
- Hosts: Chris Elkjar & PJ Solo
- The Vibe: TThe Precision. Located up in the mountains of Crestline, this is a curated environment focused on “tactile soul” and high-fidelity signal flow.
THE VALHALLA HORDE.
Meet the team behind the tone:
- Kee Mayer: Creator Extraordinaire
- Rick Fors: The Audio Nut
- Tiago Castro: The One Who Knows All
- Brian Grilli: Artist Relations
- Steve McGuire: Web & Computer Stuff
- Rachel Fors: Merch & All Things Fun
- Chris Elkjar & PJ Solo: Sick Live Videos & Content
THE SCHEDULE.
Flow is the priority. Sometimes an artist’s best work is fostered by a clean sheet and no schedule. We’ll be starting at Rancho and moving between studios for spontaneous jams and recording sessions, capturing the unique character of Valhalla amps in each studio.
Come prepared to listen, play, and eat well!
