Desert Hearts co-founder Mikey Lion has finally dropped his nostalgia soaked single, ‘License to Groove.’ Derived from a cheeky 007 sample that audibly intones “James Bond,” the track manages to give Mikey’s signature dancefloor muscle some cinematic flair. Its jazzy, spy movie melody rides over a punchy top end while a propulsive, groovy bassline keeps the momentum locked in for the duration.
The unabashedly on-the-nose fun that ‘License to Groove’ brings is a perfect representation of the “House, Techno, Love” ethos that the Desert Hearts brand lives by. This deep-seated, community driven philosophy was on full display last weekend at their Haunted Hearts party in Phoenix, where the Desert Hearts crew transformed the Walter WhereHouse into a full blown festive rager. Mikey turned up in a tux, sparking a running joke in the crowd about whether he was channeling James Bond, a hotel concierge, or going full Bob Saget. If city parties like Haunted Hearts are the movement’s pulse, the Desert Hearts Festival is where that pulse emerges into a sustained, family sized heartbeat.
Returning to Playa Ponderosa in Flagstaff, AZ from July 2–6, 2026, the Desert Hearts Festival is a single stage, marathon rave where a continuous onslaught of house and techno shape the weekend. Two hour long slots create an unhurried schedule that favors slow burning sets and those rare moments when a track becomes a community memory. Tucked away in the Northern Arizona pines, the site fills with art booths, community events, and spontaneous connection. For many, the festival is less about a lineup and more a shared experience; a place to surrender to one vibe, meet your people, and dance until the world feels remade.