Ryan Garney (High Desert Queen) on "Palm Reader," Scaling Ripple Fest & The Future of Rock

High Desert Queen frontman Ryan Garney joins The Sonic Road Podcast to discuss the band's latest album "Palm Reader" and the massive growth of Ripple Fest Texas. In this deep dive, Ryan breaks down the creative process behind their latest release on Magnetic Eye Records, his shift toward analog recording, and the raw energy of tracking a rock band live on tape.Find High Desert Queen Music & Tour Dates: https://highdesertqueen.bandcamp.com/ Follow Ripple Fest Texas: On Instagram & Tiktok: @gigging.with.garneyFollow The Sonic Road Podcast:Subscribe on YouTube: https://linktr.ee/thesonicroadInstagram: @thesonicroadAs the founder of Ripple Fest Texas and Lick of My Spoon Productions, Ryan provides a masterclass on organizing a successful independent festival. He teases exclusive details for the Ripple Fest 2026 lineup, shares the ethics of using AI in music, and discusses the challenges of booking underground bands in a post-COVID industry. We also dive into his "Gigging with Garney" series on Instagram and his mission to help independent artists navigate the modern music business.High Desert Queen Fans: What are your early predictions for the Ripple Fest 2026 lineup? Let us know in the comments!🕓 Episode Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ryan Garney and High Desert Queen00:29 Social Media and Festival Promotions00:59 Transitioning the Podcast to Analog01:16 AI in Music: A Double-Edged Sword02:20 The Ethics and Challenges of AI in Music08:09 Recording Techniques and Band Dynamics13:19 The Evolution of High Desert Queen's Sound19:33 The Underground Music Scene and Community32:29 Challenges in the Post-COVID Music Industry35:25 The Challenges of Booking Bands for Festivals37:22 Starting Ripple Fest: The Journey Begins39:23 Scaling Up: From One Day to Four Days41:04 Creating an Unforgettable Festival Experience46:43 Exciting Announcements for Ripple Fest 202649:12 Supporting Independent Music and Touring Plans52:31 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans#HighDesertQueen #RippleFestTexas #StonerRock #IndependentMusic #MusicBusiness