I’m in love with Delta Spirit. Really, I am. It helps that they’re from my native San Diego. That the indie rock band’s founders discovered their lead vocalist and guitar player, Matthew Vasquez, while he was busking (playing guitar on the street) in the early (early early) hours of the morning. And that they’re more than happy to add a trash can lid to their repertoire of instruments.
With a charming sound that can range from folk to pure rock, Delta Spirit may be Californian at heart but they represent definitive American music at its best.
Here are a few of their essential tracks, including a couple from the band’s most recent album, this year’s Into the Wide.
“Hold My End Up”
This one takes a while to click—at first it just seems like a lazy rendition of a Coldplay song. But before long, electric guitar finger picking and the tiny crack of a snare turn Vasquez’s voice into a profound poetic presence. This presence grows, turning into a reminder of those necessary but shitty Friday nights that we accidentally spend alone, thinking about people we’ve lost.
“From Now On”
With an infectious energy and loud spirit, “From Now On” is high school graduation-type song. As in, let’s-get-the-fuck-out-of-here-and-make-something-of-ourselves-type of song. The lyrics “From now on, I’m going to be your friend,” almost comes off as a rejection, for those of us who live in the friend zone. But the high-pitched guitar slides and the constantly accelerating make this track on anthem of new beginnings.
“California”
Again, I may be biased. But this single, also on the self-titled album Delta Spirit is another selfless plea for new beginnings: “I want to go out there and find somebody else / I want him to treat him like I know he should / I want you to find somebody new for yourself / if not for me.” I definitely like the idea. Simple but far from simplistic, “California” is, above all, a deeply honest love letter.
“Yamaha”
The extended reverb of keyboard notes combined with the faint beating of the bass dream pull us in fast. For all the new beginnings, “Yamaha” is the prequel: a song on letting go. It’s a total bummer. But the overall sentiment is that this kind of pain is necessary, and therein lies its beauty.
“The Flood”
The Waits Room is a little gift: A throwback to Bob Dylan-esque folk with the vocal depth of Fleet Foxes. “The Flood” is its highlight, quick fingerpicking and toe tapping, cheery and light, hiding somber lyrics. Tracing a vague story and pieces of easy and appealing imagery, “The Flood” contains a grace that is fairly rare in 21st century music.