Get Flustered! In general, “flustered” is not a desired state, but when it comes to music, the locally based band The Flusters is anything but agitated and confused. 

Self-described as Dreamsurf: Blending vintage tones with washy effects and driving tempos, their music is truly transporting. Psychedelic, dreamy, trance inducing, a time warp feeling, a deft mélange of rockabilly and surf music with hints of 80’s new wave; their style is hard to categorize. 

We caught up with Dougie Van Sant Jr., the lead singer and guitarist, who spoke for the four musicians, all in their 20s and 30s and hailing from Joshua Tree, Palm Desert, Idyllwild and La Quinta. Their day jobs include a Middle School history teacher, an accountant for artists and a cannabis entrepreneur. Dougie is a film and video producer and editor.

The band more than weathered the pandemic; they each went to their own corners and took the time to improve their musicianship, write new songs and take advantage of the artistic grants feeding frenzy. It could have gone either way for them, as the initial shell shock and dystopian reality played out. Covid has been a tough time for many performance artists. Many found the isolation and financial repercussions hard to endure. The Flusters were lucky: they had a Covid metamorphosis. They retreated to their cocoons and are now ready to emerge as butterflies. They’ve resurfaced, with new material, more evolved, more energetic and refreshed and ready for 2022. Dougie said he was glad they didn’t record until now. He sees the unforeseen events of the last few years as a blessing in disguise, and they are riding the wave kismet has provided, adding octane to their set. Dougie says, “You have to see us live. We are working hard to find a way to bottle that magic in the studio.”

The Flusters music has broad appeal, from teens and college kids to Boomers and the local desert mix. There really is something for everyone.

theflusters.com