Delta Spirit

Delta Spirit

California five-piece Delta Spirit made a name for themselves opening sold-out US tours for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Cold War Kids, and Dr. Dog. Now, after a show-stopping performance on ‘Late Night with Conan O’Brien’ and a deluge of great reviews, Delta Spirit’s debut album ‘Ode To Sunshine’ has cemented their status as one of America's finest new bands.

Delta Spirit were one of the undoubted highlights of CMJ in New York last month. The band arrive in the UK in January for a short UK tour, with first single ‘Trashcan’ (released January 26th on Rounder Records) paving the way for a March release of ‘Ode To Sunshine’.

Throughout their debut album, Delta Spirit project the fire-eyed optimism of sixties psychedelia through a kaleidescope of rock ‘n’ roll influences, blessing each song with a keen sense melody and plenty of youthful zeal. Their songs may display a broad range of influence (The Beatles, The Waterboys, Spoon) but Delta Spirit's horizons are broader still, encompassing soul, country and delta blues

Back in 2004, Jon Jameson (bass), Brandon Young (drums) and Sean Walker (guitar) were accomplished musicians in need of a vocalist. As fate would have it, they encountered an aspiring and impassioned Matt Vasquez busking by a dusty San Diego railside, with the recruitment of Kelly Winrich completing the present line-up.

Several years of non-stop touring have since seen the band refine their sound, with their energetic performances and rousing, sing-along choruses earning them a fierce live reputation. Utilising a range of unconventional instruments (including dustbin lids and orchestral bass drums), the band's multi-instrumental versatility and Vasquez's forceful delivery make for an unforgettable live experience.

“There is a mystery to music played live,” explains Jon. “It brings us out of ourselves into something bigger, something beyond our individuality.”

Entirely produced by the band, ‘Ode To Sunshine’ was recorded in a cabin deep in the Californian desert – an approach that reaps handsome rewards. From the rolling country blues of opener ‘Tomorrow Goes Away’ to the quivering Morricone horns of ‘Bleeding Bells’ each of the eleven songs featured on debut album ‘Ode To Sunshine’ bristles with a sense of time and place.

“It feels like sun, saunas, dogs, friends, Old Crow and Coke, Eli Thompson, beards, hot days, long star filled nights, good books, hikes, shorts and BBQs” says bassist Jon Jameson. “Just the way we wanted to make our first record.”

Forthcoming single ‘Trashcan’ is a romp of boisterous piano melody and soaring vocals, while 'Strange Vine' showcases the band’s knack for poignant lyrics and nostalgic guitars. Burning blues harmonica opens the dynamic track 'Children' joined by anxious guitar shimmer and gripping harmony. Title track 'Ode to Sunshine' finishes the album with a laid-back waltz, polished organ backbone and stately horns.