'Wild and unpredictable, just like their namesake': Phoenix freeform band Coatimundi

The Coatimundi is a member of the raccoon family. It has a long, pointed muzzle snout, a long, bushy, ringed tail and reddish brown fur. It can be found in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and New Mexico, and some regions of South America. It resembles a lemur mixed with a raccoon. " What peculiar-looking little fellow,” I said to myself.

But this story isn’t about our furry friend that scampers its way across the Arizona forests. This is about Coatimundi, the “somatic dance-folk fusion” band based in Phoenix that shares its name with that quirky creature. Much like its namesake, the band is hard to pin down — wild, unpredictable and unlike anything else you’ll stumble across in the Valley.

I first heard about them from a friend who spoke with the kind of excitement reserved for something special. “You’ve got to see them,” he insisted. “They don’t just play music, they create it right there in front of you.” Known for their freestyle jam sessions, Coatimundi is part slam poetry, part backyard band, and entirely unfiltered.

My destination was Lacuna Kava Bar, a cozy lounge tucked into a creative pocket of downtown Phoenix. The place has a certain charm, dim lighting, art on the walls, and a crowd that’s here for more than just background music. It’s the kind of venue where you expect something unique to happen.

Before I even stepped inside the venue, the sound pulled me in. It was layered and hypnotic, drifting through the warm night air like an open invitation. Inside, I grabbed a cold beverage: pineapple and kava, which was exactly what I needed to shake off the 110-degree heat. I spotted a seat with a clear view of the stage and got comfy. The vibe felt like an old-school house get-together: intimate, buzzing and free of pretension.

The first artist on stage was pianist Mark Dorris (@shire.song). Surrounded by his keyboard, beatmaker, and looping setup, he built the foundation, layering vocal samples and melodies that gave the music its shape.“I like to use my voice mixed with a variety of percussion,” says Mark. His sound was experimental without feeling chaotic, each loop adding another brushstroke to the canvas. “He’s good,” I whispered to myself.
Then came the voice. Bel Holiday (@babybelholiday) stepped forward and delivered a vocal performance that was nothing short of commanding. Think Amy Lee of Evanescence, but with an even broader emotional range; shifting from soaring highs to smoky, textured lows in an instant. “I seek to channel all connectivity from a spiritual place when I’m on stage,” she later told me. It showed.

As the night unfolded, the rest of the group brought their own flavors. Em Yates (@emshealingcello) added a cello’s deep resonance, creating a warm undercurrent that anchored the music.“I consider myself the heartbeat of the group,” says Em. Tonight, the group featured two guest additions to join the improvised jam session. Armando Salas (@mandovibes) stepped in with smooth, honeyed saxophone lines, playing off Bel’s vocals in a way that felt like a conversation. And Liz (@violyplays) on violin wove melodic threads through it all, adding rich, colorful textures that tied every element together.

The set shifted constantly, at times swelling into something cinematic, the kind of sound you’d expect during the climax of a movie, and other times sliding into grooves so relaxed you could almost forget time was passing. One moment felt like a superhero film score, the next like the slow heartbeat of a late-night jazz club.

Coatimundi thrives on improvisation. There’s no rigid setlist, no predictable formula. Each member brings their own background to the group, which is a mix of jazz, funk, classical and experimental. They listen intently to one another, building something that feels alive in the moment. This spontaneity makes them impossible to fake and even harder to forget.

By the end of the night, it was clear why Coatimundi has been creating such a buzz in Phoenix’s music scene. They’re not just playing songs, they’re crafting experiences, blending genres, and bending rules in a way that feels fresh yet deeply human.

Coatimundi is worth seeking out if your penchant for music includes enjoying intriguing live performances where raw talent meets those electric moments when a band magically and spontaneously finds a groove. Their shows aren’t background noise but immersive, unpredictable and unforgettable.

Follow @coatimundial for shows and information.