Sad news as Monolith on the Mesa festival co-founder Daniel “Dano” Sanchez passed away on Sunday, September 26th in Taos, New Mexico. Dano, who succumbed to complications associated with COVID19, made a name for himself, and for his artwork at Magical Tattoos, in addition to becoming known internationally for building an independent three-day music and immersive arts festival. The news was shared by Roman Barham, and the Monolith on the Mesa team, and Dano is survived by his wife Ashley Sanchez, and his children, sons Dylan and Ashton, and daughter Rowan. A GoFundMe has been launched for Dano’s family and for funeral expenses, which you can donate to, below. RIP Dano!
“We sincerely appreciate the abundance of support we are receiving from all those who loved Daniel as we do,” Ashley Sanchez states on behalf of the family. “We are hurting, and FAR from peace,” she continues, “but the message I received from Daniel was that he is now traveling intergalactically without human limitations, and riding those cosmic waves with an infinite joint in hand. Our family is so grateful for the emotional, spiritual, and financial contributions from near and far. Through the pain, we are held up by those who are willing to share photos, earth-bound experiences, and even visits from the beyond. We will continue to honor Daniel at Magical Tattoo as the sacred space it is, to experience the expressions, and artistic influence he left with us.”
“We would like to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for all the love and support for Dano and his family,” says Roman Barham, Dano’s partner and close family friend. “The GoFundMe fundraiser has surpassed our expectations and showed us how much Dano meant to so many people. So again, thank you everyone who donated. Please take care of each other out there and be safe.”
Jayson Wylie, owner of Taos Mesa Brewery where the festival is held told Taos News “Dano’s vision was an inspiration to me and those around him. He will be sorely missed.”
Roman Barham, plans to continue producing Monolith on the Mesa as he and Dano had intended for 2022. Barham says “Dano was one of my best friends, a true inspiration and a kind soul. He’d want the festival to go on. Right now I am planning a fundraiser/memorial for him on October 23rd at the El Rey in Albuquerque, NM. I’ll announce the line-up and more details soon.”
The GoFundMe page can be found above and the festival is @monolithonthemesa and Magical Tattoos is @magicaltattootaos.
Monolith on the Mesa, conceived as a yearly event, takes place at the Taos Mesa Brewing Mothership, and on the grounds of Hotel Luna Mystica, just outside of Taos, New Mexico. The festival is focused on heavy riff-rock acts from across multiple sub-genres including stoner rock, heavy psych, doom metal, sludge, drone, and retro rock. The dramatic vistas, and multiple stages, along with immersive art installations, make this festival a unique experience that attracts artists, bands, and fans from around the globe.
“I want this festival to keep alive the spirit of DIY! Monolith is real, nothing artificial here.”
– Dano Sanchez
