All Photos by Juliana Bernstein
Splash House's fifth edition went down this past weekend, June 13-14, in Palm Springs, California. The pool party circuit-festival, the first of two this Summer, was the moist bacchanal we've come to expect from the fast-developing brand. Sets by Cashmere Cat, Thomas Jack, and RAC provided a vibe that sits where frat house rager, Coachella pool party, and Las Vegas dayclub intersect.With temperatures nearing 110 degrees, sleepy Palm Springs was overrun with scantily clad and sweatily beautiful people on a mission to get rowdy, and for many, this smorgasbord of flesh and fun times is as much of a draw as the music itself. With that in mind, we dove in deep with the gyrating masses at The Saguaro, the series' spiritual center, to get to know the people you meet at Splash House.Trevor
Where are you from?
I live out here, born and raised. Palm Springs. The locals love it. It's good for business, good for our community, it brings a lot of money here.What's your favorite thing about Splash House?
The girls and the swimsuits they wear. And the drugs! It's nothing but love. It's rad.What's the craziest thing you saw all weekend?
This dude almost got hit by a car, missed it by inches. We were all tellin' him, 'stay out of the street!' but naw, fuck it, he just went anyway. It would have been epic, but sad…Hey, get take the pic in the sun so I look ripped!McKenna
What's your favorite thing about Splash House?
All the naked people. Just kidding. Psych!How does this compare to other festivals?
I love Stagecoach, but I love this so much more because of my woes. The people are much hotter here. Look at them. Look at my babes!What's the craziest thing that you did all weekend?
Um…I don't wanna tell you.
[Friend from pool]: Don't tell him! Her parents would not be proud.Ari
Tell us about your lobster friend
It's a lobster, whatever.You don't sound very committed.
I don't, because I'm drunk.Is it going home with you?
No. I'm gonna cook it. Anyway, lemme tell you some things: I've been to every Splash House, this is my fifth, and honestly, you can't go wrong. I'm from LA, and all my friends and friends' friends come out. It's not one of those oversold festivals, it's super low key. Most music festivals have too many people. Splash House is one of those special places where it's just the right amount of people, just the right amount of friends, and everything's chill.Stacy
What are you stoked on here?
Thomas Jack, Cashmere Cat. That's what I'm looking forward to. It's a great vibe, the craziest pool party I've ever been to. It's like Vegas meets Coachella in a pool, put them together, made a baby.Do you find the guys here to be more thirsty than usual?
Yes.Marcus and Liam
How'd you get so sunburned?
Is it that bad? God damn it. I'm having too much fun.Tell us about your time here
Liam: This is my first Splash House. It's fucking amazing. Girls, booze, the pool. Fucking amazing. Bro, its a bunch of half naked people in a pool. That's the difference between this and Coachella. We're in a pool! It's fun as hell.What's the wildest thing you saw go down all weekend?
Liam: A lot of stuff, man. Tons of topless girls doing many illicit things.Branden
Can we ask you guys a few questions?
It depends [laughs]. I'm an artist here, I play in Vindata and I don't wanna incriminate myself too much!That's how you ended up with two girls in your lap.
Sarah: We came all the way down from Canada to see their set, so obviously, he's fucking amazing.What was it like to perform at the party?
I've heard so much good stuff about Splash House. It's been a hot topic in California, so we're happy to have played this year. Our set was so fun. This is pretty much the ultimate California dream right here.Kevin
What are the best parts of Splash House?
Alcohol and women. Also, we're staying here. You don't have to worry about anything. That's super convenient and safe. Everybody is in a good mood. We're definitely talking about coming back in August. It's mellow, chill. A lotta love. I wouldn't say mellow in a bad sense, but everybody's just here to have a good time, a lot of love, hugs, and high fives.Doesn't it weird you out to see so many men's nipples in one day?
No. We're used to pool parties. I'd rather see more women's nipples, though.Jemayel Khawaja only takes his shirt off in emergencies. Find his shirtless selfies on Twitter.All photos by Juliana Bernstein.
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Trevor
I live out here, born and raised. Palm Springs. The locals love it. It's good for business, good for our community, it brings a lot of money here.What's your favorite thing about Splash House?
The girls and the swimsuits they wear. And the drugs! It's nothing but love. It's rad.What's the craziest thing you saw all weekend?
This dude almost got hit by a car, missed it by inches. We were all tellin' him, 'stay out of the street!' but naw, fuck it, he just went anyway. It would have been epic, but sad…Hey, get take the pic in the sun so I look ripped!
McKenna
All the naked people. Just kidding. Psych!How does this compare to other festivals?
I love Stagecoach, but I love this so much more because of my woes. The people are much hotter here. Look at them. Look at my babes!What's the craziest thing that you did all weekend?
Um…I don't wanna tell you.
[Friend from pool]: Don't tell him! Her parents would not be proud.
Ari
It's a lobster, whatever.You don't sound very committed.
I don't, because I'm drunk.Is it going home with you?
No. I'm gonna cook it. Anyway, lemme tell you some things: I've been to every Splash House, this is my fifth, and honestly, you can't go wrong. I'm from LA, and all my friends and friends' friends come out. It's not one of those oversold festivals, it's super low key. Most music festivals have too many people. Splash House is one of those special places where it's just the right amount of people, just the right amount of friends, and everything's chill.
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Stacy
Thomas Jack, Cashmere Cat. That's what I'm looking forward to. It's a great vibe, the craziest pool party I've ever been to. It's like Vegas meets Coachella in a pool, put them together, made a baby.Do you find the guys here to be more thirsty than usual?
Yes.
Marcus and Liam
Is it that bad? God damn it. I'm having too much fun.Tell us about your time here
Liam: This is my first Splash House. It's fucking amazing. Girls, booze, the pool. Fucking amazing. Bro, its a bunch of half naked people in a pool. That's the difference between this and Coachella. We're in a pool! It's fun as hell.What's the wildest thing you saw go down all weekend?
Liam: A lot of stuff, man. Tons of topless girls doing many illicit things.
Branden
It depends [laughs]. I'm an artist here, I play in Vindata and I don't wanna incriminate myself too much!That's how you ended up with two girls in your lap.
Sarah: We came all the way down from Canada to see their set, so obviously, he's fucking amazing.What was it like to perform at the party?
I've heard so much good stuff about Splash House. It's been a hot topic in California, so we're happy to have played this year. Our set was so fun. This is pretty much the ultimate California dream right here.
Kevin
Alcohol and women. Also, we're staying here. You don't have to worry about anything. That's super convenient and safe. Everybody is in a good mood. We're definitely talking about coming back in August. It's mellow, chill. A lotta love. I wouldn't say mellow in a bad sense, but everybody's just here to have a good time, a lot of love, hugs, and high fives.Doesn't it weird you out to see so many men's nipples in one day?
No. We're used to pool parties. I'd rather see more women's nipples, though.Jemayel Khawaja only takes his shirt off in emergencies. Find his shirtless selfies on Twitter.All photos by Juliana Bernstein.