How Mikey Lion Is Bringing Desert Hearts’ Signature Wild Spirit to Dirtybird CampINN 2025

If any label could match Dirtybird‘s surreal and quirky energy, it would be Desert Hearts.

The two West Coast dance music brands are kindred spirits in perfect sync, each with loyal communities and affinities for the wacky sides of techno and house music.

Dirtybird and Desert Hearts’ shared energy makes them a natural pairing, and that synergy will unfold at Dirtybird CampINN 2025. The festival, which is taking place in Orlando over Labor Day Weekend, will host an extended sunrise set with the entire Desert Hearts crew, plus a tie-dye station hosted by label boss Mikey Lion.

We caught up with Lion to discuss the wild energy Desert Hearts is bringing to their sunrise takeover this year, and why Dirtybird’s summer camp nostalgia hits so hard.

EDM.com: What are you most looking forward to at CampINN this year?

Mikey Lion: I’m most looking forward to getting silly with all my Dirtybird fam. I’ve been friends with so many of the DJs, staff and community for over a decade and I know we’re all gonna have a ridiculous time together.

EDM.com: What kind of energy can festival-goers expect from your performance this year?

Mikey Lion: Well Desert Hearts has an insane extended sunrise-afterhours block on Monday morning with bloody marys, mimosas and more planned during our set, so I’m confident it’s going to get pretty wild.

EDM.com: What’s one track that never fails to please a crowd at a festival?

Mikey Lion: Soulwax’s “NY Lipps.” It’s been a staple in my sets for years. It’s such a banger.

EDM.com: Summer camp nostalgia hits hard, especially when blended with a music festival. Why do you think this theme resonates so much with crowds? What do you think this taps into culturally or emotionally?

Mikey Lion: It works because it taps into this collective memory of freedom, mischief and connection that summer camp gave us as kids, except now we’re grown-ups with better taste in music and weirder outfits.

EDM.com: You’ve played all kinds of festivals and events, so what makes CampINN stand out or feel special to you?

Mikey Lion: CampINN stands out because it’s all my favorite people in one place for a weekend of great music, vibes and nonsense!

EDM.com: Desert Hearts is not only bringing the full crew back for a stage takeover at Dirtybird CampINN, but you are also hosting a sunrise set and a tie-dye station as part of the weekend’s activities. How does it feel to bring that signature Desert Hearts magic into such a collaborative resort setting, and how will Desert Hearts add to the overall experience?

Mikey Lion: Desert Hearts is a force to be reckoned with when we do these extended takeovers of festivals. We pride ourselves on our ability to infiltrate the depths of the community and find the weirdest and most fun shit to do. We’re bringing the party vibe to CampINN and taking no prisoners.

Follow Dirtybird CampINN:

X: x.com/campinn
Instagram: instagram.com/dirtybirdcampinn 
TikTok: tiktok.com/@dirtybirdcampinn
Facebook: facebook.com/dirtybirdcampinn

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