STS9 Honor Mayan 'Holidaze' Before Breaking for Cancer Treatment

Posted on Jan 25th 2011 7:25AM by Benjy Eisen

C Flanigan, FilmMagic

Vacationing in the Yucatan by day, playing music on the beach by night and then watching the sunrise over the ocean before doing it all over again. And again. That's what the singularly unique and incomparable Mayan Holidaze music festival was supposed to be like for Sound Tribe Sector 9 (aka STS9). And, in many ways, it was. But the experience also had a bittersweet side to it; last week, bassist David Murphy announced that he has a cancerous tumor, requiring immediate attention. The band was forced to cancel all upcoming tour dates while Murphy prepares for treatment. But they kept Mayan Holidaze, using it as a way to say goodbye for now... and because they weren't going to let any obstacles get in the way of such an exceptional and incredible adventure.

In keeping with the spirit of Mayan Holidaze -- which also featured co-headliners Disco Biscuits and Umphrey's McGee -- the members of STS9 intermingled with the audience throughout the four days and even participated in a number of band-fan activities at the all-inclusive Now Sapphire resort in the Mayan Riviera, where the festival is held.

"I did the poker tournament and finished tenth, which isn't bad," Murphy tells Spinner. "And then I did a DJ set in the gazebo by the pool, which is why I then missed the tequila tasting -- I got drunk at my pool set and needed to go take a nap before our Sector Nine show. But we had a blast down here..."

For the band, the experience was memorable for another reason as well. "This was our first trip to Mexico as a group," says Murphy. "We have a special affinity for Mexico -- our name is based on Mayan culture, so it was just really, really special for all of us to come down here together and get to play music."

Here's to STS9 returning to Mayan Holidaze to get to do it all again next year -- a goal that everyone in the band seemed to agree on. Maybe next time, Murphy will even make it to the tequila tasting.

Watch STS9 Perform 'Aimlessly' Live in New York