Style Guide: Theoretical High Desert s2

While I understand streaming platforms' financial concerns, it does sometimes seem as though they are a little quick to pull the plug. I found High Desert to be highly enjoyable. There’s a great energy with the cast, particularly Patricia Arquette’s Peggy. Sadly, it was not renewed for a second season. Perhaps in an alternate universe, the series lives on. This is a musical style guide for that theoretical second season.

The music from the first season featured lots of great female artists, with some punk energy, a little bit of High Desert rock, some 50s/60s rat-packiness, and some chaotic elements.

Themes: desert life, reinvention, dependency, empowerment.

Sarah Shook & the Disarmers “Backsliders”
The title theme is by Sarah Shook & the Disarmers, and as far as I’m concerned, the more the better.

Terry Allen “There Oughta Be a Law About Sunny Southern California”
Mayhem in the desert.

Jun Mayuzumi “Fushigi na Taiyu (You and the Sun)”
Very dramatic feel and almost Bond-theme-esque.

Einstürzende Neubauten “Sand”
Western flavors from Germany with Blixa as both Lee and Nancy.

Eartha Kitt “Hurdy Gurdy Man”
Very much a psychedelic experience.

The Waco Brothers w/ Sally Timms “Lake of Vinegar”
Tragic relationships amirite.

Fatso Jetson “Night of the Living Amends”
There was a High on Fire track in the first season and this desert rock instrumental felt right.

Panda Bear, Sonic Boom & Mariachi 2000 de Cutberto Pérez “Peligro (Danger)”
Dreamy remix to add to the danger of the show.

Thee Headcoatees “Don’t Try and Tell Me”
Excellent energy.

Kleenex “Ain’t You”
More peak post punk

LA LOM “Juana La Cubana”
Cumbia classic lends itself to the desert town feel.

Trailer Bride “Dirt Nap”
Peggy Newman tries, she really tries.

Blossom Dearie “Everything I’ve Got”
Deceptively cute tune that speaks to Peggy and Denny’s relationship.

Howe Gelb “Piango”
Zippy desert/latin/southwest feel.

Ko & the Knockouts “Go-Getter”
More powerful garage punk