About Us

A slip face is that part of a sand dune which is downstream and sheltered from the wind (the leeward face) and characterized by avalanches caused by gravity simultaneously pulling the sand down and forward.  Thus, a slip face reveals the direction that a sand dune is migrating as it travels across the surface of the earth.  A slip face is generally recognizable as a crescent shaped scar on the side of a dune, with a slope of about 33 degrees (the angle of repose for sand in an hourglass).

Beyond this common occurrence, there are about forty known deserts around the world with sand possessing just the right characteristics for it to produce an unusual singing, chirping, or roaring sound when it is tread upon, blown by the wind, or tumbled down a slip face.  Some describe the sound produced by these so-called "singing sands" as being hauntingly beautiful and spiritual (in some cases reminiscent of an Australian Aboriginal didgeridoo).  The Slip Face Band takes its name and inspiration from these natural phenomena.