When GPS Roads Don’t Exist: Finding Our Way Off-Grid in New Mexico
Here’s another **video from the vault**! When we first started our off-grid journey, one of the biggest challenges wasn’t just the desert heat or the wind—it was simply finding our way home.
GPS showed us roads that no longer existed, leading us into dead ends, private property, and long detours. Over time, we rebuilt part of the road ourselves, carving out a path that made it easier to access our land.
It’s just one more reminder that off-grid living isn’t always simple—it’s a constant journey of adapting and creating solutions.
📅 **In honor of our 5th anniversary** on **Saturday, October 18th**, we’ll be hosting an **Open Mic Night** at Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center! You can:
* Attend in person
* Stay a few hours
* Book a campsite for the night (or longer)
* Or join us live on TikTok at **Colquhoun Entertainment**
Follow along as we look back at how far we’ve come!
👉 Learn more at:
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLiving #DesertLife #HomesteadJourney #KaHoonCampground #TinyLiving
Tag: grim leafer band
Ka-Hoon Campground Adventure: Live Music, Desert Fun & Off-Grid Living!
Discover Ka-Hoon Campground: Off-Grid Fun, Live Music & Desert Adventures
Experience the magic of Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center in the New Mexico desert! From off-grid living tips and homestead tours to live music with Advocatus Diaboli, bonfires, outdoor movies, and family-friendly adventures, there’s something for everyone. Join us for live music every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and special events throughout the year. Camp under the stars, enjoy handmade treasures in our general store, and experience desert life like never before! For more info, visit
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com.
#KaHoonCampground #OffGridLife #LiveMusic #DesertAdventure #CampingFun
Our Last Visit Before Moving Off-Grid | Starting Life on 5 Acres in New Mexico!
From Dreams to Reality: Our Last Visit to the Land Before Moving to New Mexico
Back in January 2020, we purchased our 5 acres of land here in New Mexico. At that time, we knew the journey wasn’t over—we still had to return to Minnesota, finish working at the center for the summer, pack up our lives, and prepare for the big move.
This video from our vault captures our very last visit to the property before heading back north. Looking back now, it’s fascinating to see the land before anything was set up, before the campground and event center, before the community that has grown around Ka-Hoon.
In the video, we mention the mountains in the area—but since then, we’ve learned we were mistaken about which ones we were looking at. It’s a reminder that this whole adventure has been a learning experience, step by step.
Throughout October, we’re sharing more of these “vault” videos, each one a snapshot of our journey. Some are from before we made the move, and some from after. It’s our way of showing the progress, the challenges, and the growth that brought us to where we are today.
Whether you’ve been following our journey from the beginning or just discovered us now, we invite you to join us each day as we share more from our archive. And if you’d like to see where we are today, make sure to follow our TikTok livestreams, YouTube channel, and check out our website for camping and event info.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
#offgridliving #newmexicolife #FromTheVault #offgrid #ourjourney
Animatronic Frontman Rocks the Desert — You Won’t Believe Who Advocatus Diaboli Really Is
Desert Nights, Strange Lights — Advocatus Diaboli & the Grim Leafer Band
Out in the vast silence of the desert, when the wind settles and the stars burn just a little too bright, something stirs — and it’s not what you’d expect.
**Advocatus Diaboli**, a name whispered by moonlight and distortion pedals, steps into the glow of desert firelight, fronting a band unlike any other — **The Grim Leafer Band**. This isn’t your average show. It’s a variety act fused with parodies, originals, and just enough eerie charm to make you question what’s real.
With glitchy grins and animatronic timing, each performance is unpredictable, unforgettable — and completely self-contained. There’s a haunting precision to the chaos, a rhythm that pulses like the desert’s own heartbeat.
What started as an experiment has become a spectacle: part comedy, part musical séance, all energy. Whether you catch them under the stars or beneath stage lights, Advocatus Diaboli isn’t just a performer — he’s a desert-born ringleader guiding you through something far weirder than your average gig.
This is the show your algorithm didn’t warn you about.
You can’t look away — and after one set, you won’t want to.
http://www.advocatusdiaboliandthegrimleaferband.com
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#advocatusdiaboli, #grimleaferband, #desertvibes, #animatronicband, #weirdmusic, #desertnights, #parodyband, #musicaloddities, #originalmusic, #creepycool, #strangerthingsvibes, #eerieentertainment, #desertshow, #bizarretalent, #robotsrock
You’ve NEVER Seen a Band Like This – Animatronics, Dark Humor & Rock Collide!
Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band: A Story Beyond the Spotlight
I’m Melodie—not a vocalist, not a musician. My roots are in art, mental health, and organizing events at drop-in centers. But sometimes life opens a door you never expected.
When I first met Brent, known on stage as Advocatus Diaboli, I saw a man who lived for music. It wasn’t just something he did—it was who he was. But life had dealt him a heavy hand. He had once toured internationally with a band, only to walk away from it all to care for his two young children and his terminally ill wife.
And then, something I never imagined happened—she chose me. Brent’s wife, before she passed, asked me to be part of his and the kids’ life. She saw something in me, a connection, a trust. After she passed, Brent raised the kids on his own for several years. When our paths crossed again, I came back into his life—and I’ve been here ever since.
I didn’t fall in love with the stage—I fell in love with the heart behind it. Brent had put his passion on pause for years, but I was determined to help him return to it. Only this time, he wasn’t going back the way he came.
Brent has always been an out-of-the-box thinker. He created Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band, a completely unique theatrical experience that blends music, storytelling, dark humor, and animatronics. Think Weird Al meets Broadway, with a side of Halloween and a wink at the unexpected.
We have a fully animated band: Spliff on guitar, Roach on drums, and Blunt on keys. Brent and Shamshini front the show with live vocals and twisted charm. And me? I’m not on stage singing—I’m running the animatronics from behind the scenes, bringing the characters to life, helping create the illusion.
The audience picks a name for me each night—Melodious, Melious, and more. It’s become part of the show’s lore, and even though I’m shy by nature, I’ve learned to love that wild unpredictability.
Our biggest challenge? Convincing venues to take a chance on a show that defies all labels. It’s not just a concert. It’s not just theater. It’s something entirely its own—and that makes people hesitate.
But those who have seen us? They don’t forget it. We’re forging our own road—one performance, one believer, one unforgettable night at a time.
http://www.advocatusdiaboliandthegrimleaferband.com
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#AdvocatusDiaboli #GrimLeaferBand #AnimatronicBand #WeirdRockShow #HalloweenVibes #DesertRock #OffbeatEntertainment #StrangeButAwesome #IndiePerformanceArt #ParodyRock #SupportLocalMusic #UniqueStageShow #RockTheWeird #UndergroundTheater #DesertCreatives
This Band Has Animatronic Members?! You’ve Never Seen a Show Like Advocatus Diaboli Before!
🔥 Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band: A Show Unlike Any Other
Out in the New Mexico desert, where the sky stretches forever and the silence can be haunting… something strange is happening onstage. A band like no other is rising from the dust, built on dark humor, raw creativity, and a lineup that blends **live performance, animatronics, and theatrical storytelling**.
This is **Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band** — and they’re not here to play it safe.
—
### 🎭 What *Is* the Grim Leafer Band?
At its core, this is a **theatrical variety show** disguised as a band. You’ll get **parodies**, **originals**, and a few twisted covers — but this isn’t just music. It’s a story unfolding in front of your eyes, with characters, chaos, and layers that reveal more the deeper you listen.
Think *gothic vaudeville*, *desert freak show*, and *punk rock puppetry* all rolled into one. And yes — they have **animatronics**.
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### 🎤 Meet the Cast
**Advocatus Diaboli** – The lead vocalist, creator, and storyteller. With decades of songwriting behind him and a powerful voice that mixes mischief with meaning, he pulls the strings — literally and figuratively — behind the scenes.
**Shamshini** – Soft-spoken offstage but vocally captivating on it. Her harmonies and stage presence add contrast to the darker tones of the act.
**Blunt** – The deceased keyboardist who didn’t get the memo to stop performing. Ghostly and stiff, he adds eerie ambiance and unexpected moments of comedy.
**Roach** – A spiked-hair drummer whose energy feels barely contained. He’s part punk, part chaos, and all rhythm.
**Spliff** – The guitarist with a twisted back and a twisted sense of humor. His posture may be off, but his playing shreds.
Together, they create an atmosphere that’s equal parts concert and cult performance.
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### 🌵 Born From the Desert — And Defying Expectations
This band wasn’t built in a studio or plucked from a scene. It was imagined, constructed, and brought to life in the desert. Created by **Advocatus Diaboli** after a lifetime of music, stage production, and storytelling, the band was born out of necessity — and passion.
No one was going to drive out to the middle of nowhere for rehearsals. So… the band was built instead.
—
You never know what you’ll catch — a new character, a glitched-out performance, or a parody that hits too close to home.
—
### 🎪 Want to Book the Band?
Looking for something that will **stand out**, grab attention, and leave audiences talking?
**Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band** is perfect for:
* Alt music festivals
* Themed events (Halloween, horror, comedy)
* Dive bars, dark stages, and open-minded venues
* Off-night experiments that need something unforgettable
📩 Booking Contact: **Melodie’s Oddities**
https://plateauhamedecolquhoun.com/melodies-oddities/
📧 melodies.oddities@gmail.com
Www.advocatusdiaboliandthegrimleaferband.com
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#AnimatronicBand, #TheatricalMusic, #ParodyBand,
#DarkHumorMusic, #DesertMusicScene, #WeirdBands, #UniqueLiveShow, #AlternativePerformance,
#GothVaudeville, #OffGridEntertainment, #UndergroundMusic, #StorytellingThroughMusic, #MelodiesOddities
He Created His Own Bandmates?! Meet the Animatronic Mayhem of Advocatus Diaboli’s Desert Show
🎭 Behind the Scenes: How a Desert Musician Built a Band Out of Animatronics
Some people form bands.
Others *build* them—literally.
Welcome to the strange, theatrical world of **Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band**, a performance experience that blends **music, storytelling, parody, and animatronic chaos** in the heart of the New Mexico desert.
—
### 👤 The Mind Behind the Madness: Brent a.k.a. Advocatus Diaboli
The idea for the band came straight out of the mind of **Brent**, who performs as **Advocatus Diaboli**. A lifelong musician and former international touring artist, Brent has written thousands of songs. But like many artists, life took a turn—he stepped away from the stage to raise his kids, always holding on to the hope that one day, he’d return to his true love: **music**.
While waiting for that day, he never strayed far from the scene. Brent worked as a **sound engineer and production specialist**, running audio and lights for conventions like **ConVergence** and **Paganicon**, and for bands at festivals and events. He’s mixed tracks in the studio—his own and others’—and never lost his ear for detail or his drive to create.
—
### 🎬 Why Build a Band Instead of Form One?
Once we settled in the New Mexico desert, Brent decided it was time to bring his vision to life.
But there was one big problem:
**No one was going to drive to the middle of nowhere to rehearse regularly.**
So he got creative. **Really creative.**
Instead of waiting for bandmates, **he built them.**
Enter: **Blunt**, **Roach**, and **Spliff** — the animatronic backbone of the **Grim Leafer Band**.
—
### 🎤 The Show: Music, Theater, and Something More
The performance includes Brent as **Advocatus Diaboli**, the mischievous lead; **Shamshini**, a mysterious co-vocalist; and the three animatronic band members. Together, they deliver a set of:
* Darkly humorous **parodies**
* Haunting and heartfelt **originals**
* Satirical **story-driven performances**
Each song is a piece of a larger narrative. If you really *listen*, the full story of the show will unfold—but we won’t spoil it for you here.
This isn’t just a band—it’s **theater**. It’s music with a message, wrapped in character, chaos, and creativity. And yes, it’s all run by one man—timing every animatronic movement, lighting cue, and vocal beat.
—
### 🎪 Want to Book the Band?
If you’re ready to bring something truly different to your venue or event, **Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band** is available for booking through:
📨 **Melodie’s Oddities**
Email: melodies.oddities@gmail.com
—
Whether it’s mud, music, or animatronic mayhem—life out here is never boring.
And when no one shows up to join your band…
**You build your own monsters and make them sing.**
Www.advocatusdiaboliandthegrimleaferband.com
https://plateauhamedecolquhoun.com/melodies-oddities/
——
\#AdvocatusDiaboli #GrimLeaferBand #AnimatronicBand #TheaterMeetsMusic #DesertMusic #WeirdBands #OffGridLife #StorytellingMusic #LivePerformanceArt #ParodyBand #NewMexicoMusic #BuiltNotHired #KaHoonCampground #MelodiesOddities #BookThisBand
Desert Floods Can’t Stop the Weird! Muddy July 4th & the Launch of a Booking Agency for Misfits
**Muddy Roads & Musical Oddities: A July 4th Update from the Desert**
We hope everyone had a fun, safe, and meaningful Fourth of July!
Out here in the New Mexico desert, it was a wet and wild one. We got just over an inch of rain, which might not sound like much—until you try to drive 11 miles of dirt roads in it. It was muddy, sloppy, and several sections flooded quickly. One camper transferred their stay, but a few brave souls still made the journey (thank you!). By evening, most of the **bypass routes** around the deep puddles had dried up, and things became much more manageable.
Life off-grid means always being prepared for the unpredictable—and rolling with it when the monsoon season hits.
—
### Introducing: **Melodie’s Oddities Music Booking**
In other exciting news, I’ve officially launched **Melodie’s Oddities**—a small, independent music booking venture that was born from personal experience and necessity.
As many of you know, we have a very unique act: **Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band**, a darkly humorous live performance blending **animatronics, original songs, parodies, and theatrical storytelling.** It’s weird, wild, and unlike anything else out there.
The challenge? Most traditional booking agents didn’t know what to do with us. If you weren’t country, rock, or something they already understood, they didn’t bite. So after handling all the outreach myself for months—researching venues, building promo materials, and sending emails—I realized something important:
> *Maybe there’s a place for the “too weird” acts. And maybe I could help create it.*
I’m not a full-time agent. I don’t cold call. I’m not a music industry insider. But I *am* someone who saw a gap and decided to fill it. And that’s where **Melodie’s Oddities** began.
Right now, I focus on **email-based venue outreach** and support for artists who don’t fit the usual mold—acts that are **dark, unique, offbeat, or theatrical**, especially those who haven’t found traditional industry support. If that sounds like your band or project, reach out. I may not have all the answers, but I care deeply about helping strange, amazing music find its stage.
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### Building Something Different
So while the roads may be muddy out here, we’re still moving forward. Whether it’s launching an odd little booking project, planning upcoming shows for Advocatus Diaboli, or drying out the campground after another monsoon, we’re always building something a little different.
Because out here—weird is welcome.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
http://www.advocatusdiaboliandthegrimleaferband.com
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#MelodiesOddities #StrokeRecovery #OffGridLife #DesertLiving #KaHoonCampground #AdvocatusDiaboli #GrimLeaferBand #AnimatronicBand #WeirdMusic #MusicHeals #MonsoonSeason #AlternativeBooking #SupportStrangeMusic #UnconventionalBands #UniqueShows
He Sang Again After the Stroke 😱 | Advocatus Diaboli’s Incredible Comeback
The trip to the ER felt endless. I was terrified of what we’d find out—and part of me wanted to turn around and pretend none of it was happening. When Brent stopped twitching for a moment, I almost did. But something deeper told me: keep going.
At Lovelace and the Heart Hospital in Albuquerque, the doctors and nurses were incredible. They treated us with care and respect when we needed it most.
This healing journey hasn’t just been Brent’s—it’s touched all of us.
The day we returned home and he stepped into the studio to sing, I completely fell apart. I hadn’t known if I’d ever hear that voice again. Music is Brent’s passion—it’s part of who he is.
Some of my favorite moments in life are spent with him in the studio—rehearsing, singing, doing livestreams—not for an audience, but because we love it. Seeing him light up on stage or during a stream makes everything feel right. And I’ll admit… I was scared of losing that, of losing *us* in that way.
Recovery hasn’t been easy, especially with his hand and arm. He goes to physical and occupational therapy twice a week, and we do exercises and massage together every day at home.
He doesn’t always notice the small improvements. But I do.
Every time he moves a finger, grips something, or bends his wrist a little further, I see progress. I see strength. I see him.
We couldn’t have completed the shower project without him. His help—his presence—meant everything.
I know Brent doesn’t always feel like himself these days. But I see his light in every little victory. I see the man I love, growing stronger, even when he doesn’t see it himself.
And through all of this, I’ve realized something:
**I love him even more than I ever knew.**
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#BrentStrong, #MusicHeals, #AdvocatusDiaboli, #GrimLeaferBand, #StrokeRecovery, #LiveMusic, #StudioVibes, #OffGridLiving, #PlateauHameDeColquhoun, #KaHoonCampgroundAndEventCenter, #TinyStageBigHeart, #HealingThroughMusic, #ComebackStory, #DesertPerformance, #MusicianLife
2 Months After His Stroke—Brent Sings “Another Man’s Grave” & Proves Music Heals!
2-Month Stroke Recovery Update – Brent (aka Advocatus Diaboli)
It’s been two months since Brent, known to many as Advocatus Diaboli, experienced a life-altering series of strokes—three in total. After emergency surgery to repair the carotid artery in his neck and a long hospital stay, recovery has been slow but steady. We are filled with hope as each small milestone adds up to something powerful.
Brent can now grip objects with his hand again. He’s feeling more sensation and, along with it, more pain—especially in the shoulder. According to his doctor, that’s a normal part of healing. As the brain rewires and reconnects, it’s re-teaching the nerves what those signals mean. Unfortunately, because the strokes went undiagnosed for a period, his shoulder muscles atrophied. This caused it to start dislocating with certain movements. But with physical therapy (and soon occupational therapy), we expect pain to decrease and strength to return.
The road has been tough—physically and emotionally. Sleepless nights, trial-and-error exercises, and research-based movement routines have all become part of our daily rhythm. We discovered that lymphatic massages and simple exercises like thumb-to-finger touches helped Brent retrain his hand. Every small improvement is celebrated.
One thing that hasn’t changed? Brent’s passion for music.
Live performances have continued throughout his recovery—not just as art, but as therapy. They’re a source of connection, healing, and hope. Our shows are never about money—they’re about sharing joy, weirdness, and a love of community through music and storytelling.
Brent sang Amigo The Devil “Another Man’s Grave” two days after surgery—and again two months later. This emotional performance reflects not just his talent, but his resilience. You can watch that powerful moment below.
Follow Brent’s recovery journey and live performances through:
🎵 advocatusdiaboliandgrimleaferband.com
📺 YouTube
📘 Facebook
🎶 TikTok
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#BrentRecovery, #StrokeSurvivor, #AdvocatusDiaboli, #LiveMusicHealing, #MusicTherapy, #StrokeRecovery, #GrimLeaferBand, #AmigoTheDevilCover, #MusicianLife, #OffGridLiving, #DesertMusic, #RehabilitationJourney, #IndieArtist, #StrengthThroughMusic, #SupportLocalMusic
Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center 