Sabbatikos

Pappy & Harriet’s in Pioneertown, California, stands as a legendary music venue—a rite of passage for both aspiring and accomplished artists. It’s my 50th birthday, and tonight, this iconic spot plays host to The White Buffalo. With about 26 of my favorite people in tow, we roll up in our party bus after a day of exploring Noah Purifoy’s Outdoor Desert Art Museum and soaking in a cosmic crystal sound bath at the Integratron (our ears and chakras still ringing). We’re here for some mean-ass BBQ and the soul-stirring country-rock-folk-Americana of The White Buffalo.

Pioneertown, originally built in the 1940s as a live-in Old West movie set, now serves as the perfect backdrop for a dusty, seemingly lawless desert hideaway. Rows of Harleys parked outside Pappy & Harriet’s add to the edgy vibe—rustic, raw, and maybe just a little dangerous. The place feels like a scene straight out of From Dusk Till Dawn, and you half-expect Tarantino, Harvey Keitel, or Salma Hayek to slink around the corner at any moment. Truth is, spotting the rich and famous at Pappy & Harriet’s isn’t rare. We even had our own celebrity sighting—though we didn’t realize it until later.

It was a dark, starry twilight when we arrived—just enough light to make out the silhouettes of desert mountains and distant Joshua trees. We had reservations and tickets, both secured months in advance. We weren’t necessarily fans (yet) of The White Buffalo, but we knew this was our weekend for an epic experience with friends in and around Palm Springs, and this show was what the calendar had in store. We made our way to our reserved table and ordered all kinds of BBQ and drinks.

The White Buffalo, led by Jake Smith’s soulful baritone, took the stage and delivered a commanding performance. Across the room, from the side of the stage, an entourage slipped in through the green room. We found ourselves watching them watch the show. There was something magnetic about them: a certain charisma, style, and that frustrating kind of familiarity you can’t quite place. It wasn’t until the next day, while we were casually watching the 47th American Music Awards on TV in our room at the Coral Sands, that it clicked. Maya Hawke stepped up to present an award, and I literally jumped to my feet and shouted, “That’s her! She was part of that group at Pappy & Harriet’s last night!” Maya Hawke was at my birthday party. Cool.

It was great to experience The White Buffalo on a stage in an authentic venues that that gives authentic artists an opportunity to perform a small and intimate show. The night (and the entire day) was a demonstration of the pure magic that happens when friends get together for an epic day in the desert and end the night with good food, plenty of drinks, and a great band. The experience at Pappy & Harriet’s continues to resonate with me long after the last chord was struck and ringing of the crystal bowls had subsided.

We boarded our party bus, and after doing a headcount (and then subsequently finding our missing friend), we headed back to Ruby Montana’s Coral Sands for a midnight swim.