Young Local Band Opening for Tachevah Headliner

With the Coachella Music Festival, Stagecoach, the Tachevah Block Party, and Desert Daze, the Coachella Valley transforms into the heart of rock and roll for the month of April.

Thanks to the music scene developing over the years in the desert, a local band is getting a huge opportunity to share the stage with one of today’s biggest acts.

14-year-old Addison Van Winkle, 15-year-old Jacob Gutierrez, and 17-year-old Ross Murakami make up Indie band the Yip Yops.

These three kids, two of them La Quinta High School freshman, share a passion for music and they’re proving despite their young age… they’re good.

“I think people just underestimate us and just say it’s a kids band about to perform so we can leave and catch the next band, but I think there’s some shock value to us,” drummer Ross Murakami said.

Part of a contest, fans voted and gave the trio a chance at a spot on stage at the Tachevah Block Party Wednesday night in Palm Springs. They beat out dozens of other bands and they’re now opening for Fitz and the Tantrums , a popular soul/indie pop group.

“I think that we can, you know, open it up and put some energy into the crowd and put on a rocking show,” Singer and guitarist Addison Van Winkle said.

10,000 people are expected to attend the event.

“I don’t think its hit us yet. I think we’ll get nervous 5 minutes before we go on. Once we see the crowd and you realize what we’re about to do, it’s pretty nerve wracking,” the group said.

The band joined forces last year and have since been writing and performing much of their own material. Most recently they took the stage at the Live Music Showcase in North Hollywood. They wowed the crowd and even gained the attention of Interscope Records.

“Our main goal right now is kind of to let the music do the talking not really our age,” Van Winkle said.

Of course, none of it possible without the support of friends, family, and most importantly their parents.

“Oh, it’s been a huge part of it. You know with all the money that they’ve put into us and driving us to every show since we’re so young still. Without them I don’t think we’d have anything as a band,” said Jacob Gutierrez, lead bassist and guitarist for the band.

Tony Van Winkle, Addison Van Winkle’s father said he was hesitant at first, but soon realized the band had special talent.

“I just felt like they put a lot passion and commitment behind, it required some support from us and was happy to do it,” he said.

And committed and passionate they are, already setting their sights pretty high…

“Yeah, I want to take it as far as it can go. Like, I want to play in the festivals and be in the festival scene. I think in the next year, another goal of ours is to get to the South by Southwest lineup, possibly the Coachella lineup and just see where that goes,” Addison said.