"The raw spirit of indie rock. An amplified, rocking version of ’60s protest folk. The soulful passion of the Violent Femmes and The Waterboys." All of these comparisons have been made in attempts to describe Delta Spirit, the southern California five-piece who might just be one of the most important new bands of the decade. Each description contains elements of the truth, but the real answer to the question “who is Delta Spirit?” lies within Ode to Sunshine, the band’s captivating debut. The group’s DIY ethic shines throughout the album, with songs honed razor-sharp over a year of non-stop touring across America. Opening sold-out tours for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Cold War Kids, and Dr. Dog, the band developed a riveting live show and gained a loyal following amongst tastemaker music fans, earning them invites to national festivals like Austin City Limits, Noise Pop and Sasquatch. So it would not be an understatement to call Ode to Sunshine one of the year’s most highly-anticipated debuts. But don’t take our word for it; in the words of Delta Spirit: “If you’re feeling what I’m feeling come on, all you soul searching people come on.”
Jonathan Jameson of Delta Spirit took a few minutes out of the band’s busy touring schedule to answer a few questions about the band, their music, and Ode to Sunshine.
Where in California did the band come together? How did you meet?
We are all from Southern California. Brandon met Matt while he was singing and playing guitar by the train tracks in San Diego. The rest is boring.
Who plays what and sings? Do you trade off instruments on different songs?
Brandon plays drums and percussion. Sean plays guitar, does some percussion and hits a big drum. Jon exclusively plays bass with the occasional vocal. Kelly plays piano, hits a drum, sings, hits a trashcan, plays guitar and a high strung guitar. Matt plays guitar, sings and plays piano.
Your songs are credited to the band as a whole. Could you describe how they come together? Are the lyrics collaborative as well?
It’s always a new experience. Matt and Kelly write the lyrics with minor editing done by the band. Songs come as jams, ideas, almost complete chords, hummed notes, drum beats, etc.
Some of the songs have very infectious sing along melodies (like the ba ba ba’s in “People C’mon”). Do you envision your music as communal, for audiences to participate in as well as listen to?
Our music feels most at home when we play it with people as opposed to at people. There is a mystery to music played live. It brings us out of ourselves into something bigger, something beyond our individuality. Sometimes it happens, other times the songs are just songs.
You recorded Ode to Sunshine at a cabin in Julian, California, out in the desert east of San Diego. Did the isolation of the setting influence the vibe of the album (like say, Dylan and The Band’s Basement Tapes)?
It feels like sun, saunas, dogs, friends, Old Crow and Coke, Eli Thompson, beards, hot days, long star filled nights, good books, hikes, shorts, bbq and just the way we wanted to make our first record.
Your music has been compared to current indie rockers, ’80s punk roots bands, and sixties folk rockers. Was there any music you listened to growing up, or that you listen to now, that you hear seeping into your current sound?
We were born in the ’80s, grew up in the ’90s and have parents from the ’60s. We are proud of the bands that are making great music now. Maybe it’s like the Waterboys covering Harry Nilsson or maybe a song by the Weavers at a rally, but on tour next month with Richard Swift. We want to be found in the lineage of honest and true music that has found its way through every current of music history.
There seems to be a conscience in the music, a sense of taking responsibility for ourselves, each other, and the world. What do you feel is special about this moment in history, and this generation, and the place of music and art in society? Are you encouraged by the energy you feel coming back to you from your audiences?
There is a feeling of possibility in our age. We feel that same possibility with our band. There is a deep connection there. We don’t want to forget about the most important thing for us, which is simply making good music, but that does include being aware of what’s going on in the world as well as what’s going on in our own heads and souls. We aren’t self-aggrandizing cock rockers or activist idealist hippies. We just want to be honest about ourselves and how we see the world, not minimizing the darkness or the hope, because both are very real.
Your original DIY version of Ode to Sunshine featured austere black & white artwork, while the new cover is much warmer, with the smiling face of Dr. Thomas Payne (an uncle of one of the band members) raising a toast while at a scientific convention on bark beetles. The Rounder release also features an additional song, “Streetwalker,” which despite its somber subject features a Phil Spector / Brian Wilson groove. Do the new artwork and song show a new side to the band?
I think that before when we were looking at the album it felt kinda heavy to us and serious. About the big things in life. Like a dusty record of Kennedy speeches. But I think we realized that the true feeling of the album also included what we were feeling while making it and recording it and that those bits of summer and excitement and wonder break through every once in a while. It’s as if after listening to those sobering speeches we found the pics of the Kennedys on vacation and now it all really made sense. The light and the dark. Sometimes you have to laugh at the serious stuff to be able to do something about it.
From the opening Rubber Soul-esque acoustic guitars of “Tomorrow Goes Away” to the saloon piano-over-grunge chords of “Trashcan,” from the harmonica-driven protest waltz “People, Turn Around” to the insistent surf rock drums of “Children,” Ode to Sunshine perfectly captures the energy and hope of a new generation that’s rising like a phoenix to change the world. And with Delta Spirit providing the soundtrack, this is one revolution you can dance to.
From Now On
Delta Spirit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You picked them up and stepped right in
I had a vision about this very thing
But it's probably in my head
From now on, from now on
From now on I'm gonna be your friend
No more letters, just a will
All the prophets on the mountaintop
But no one's hanging on the hill
From now on, from now on
From now on I'm gonna be your friend
From now on, from now on
From now on I'm gonna be your friend
Something put you in my way
May the moment awake in your head
Fall in to the what is
Let your body do all the rest
May a love never break you
May a love never break you
Keep your heart on your sleeve now don't let anyone else tell you different
From now on, from now on
From now on I'm gonna be your friend
From now on, from now on
From now on I'm gonna be your friend
The lyrics to Delta Spirit's "From Now On" seems to be about forgiveness, letting go of past mistakes and rebuilding a relationship. The first stanza describes a situation where the singer left their keys in Reseda and the person they were previously at odds with found the keys and returned them. There seems to have been some tension between the two, as the singer had a vision about this happening but wasn't sure it was real. The second stanza suggests that both parties have come to an understanding that the past is in the past and they need to move forward. The singer urges the other person to listen to their inner compass, to trust that they know the right thing to do, and to not bother with any more letters, just their will. The line "All the prophets on the mountaintop, but no one's hanging on the hill" could mean that there are many wise people preaching about forgiveness and understanding, but very few are practicing it themselves.
The last stanza seems to be urging the person to embrace the present moment and not hold onto grudges. The line "something put you in my way, may the moment awake in your head" suggests that the two were brought back together for a reason, and that they should take this opportunity to reconnect. The line "let your body do all the rest" could mean that they should let go of their inhibitions and embrace the moment. The final lines "may a love never break you, keep your heart on your sleeve now don't let anyone else tell you different" seem to be an expression of hope that the two can move forward in a loving and open way, without being afraid of getting hurt again.
Line by Line Meaning
Down in Reseda where I left my keys
Recalling the place where the singer lost their keys
You picked them up and stepped right in
The listener found the keys and entered the singer's life
I had a vision about this very thing
The singer had a premonition about meeting the listener
But it's probably in my head
The artist thinks their vision may not be real
From now on, from now on
The artist is committing to a change in their behavior
From now on I'm gonna be your friend
The singer wants to be the listener's friend going forward
Your inner compass says you know I'm right
The singer believes that the listener knows they are trustworthy
No more letters, just a will
The artist is committed to follow through on their intention with action
All the prophets on the mountaintop
Referring to religious figures who have had spiritual revelations
But no one's hanging on the hill
No one is truly committed to their ideals
Something put you in my way
The singer believes the listener was meant to enter their life
May the moment awake in your head
Wishing for a moment of understanding for the listener
Fall in to the what is
To embrace reality as it is
Let your body do all the rest
To follow your intuition and act accordingly
May a love never break you
Wishing for the listener to avoid heartbreak
Keep your heart on your sleeve now don't let anyone else tell you different
Be honest and open with your feelings, despite what others may say
From now on, from now on
The artist is committed to a change in their behavior
From now on I'm gonna be your friend
The singer wants to be the listener's friend going forward
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MATTHEW VASQUEZ, KELLY WINRICH, JONATHAN JAMESON, WILL MCLAREN, BRANDON YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eduardo Villarreal
I'm favored to perceive how their rhythm and melody have evolved and matured into a beautiful potent track. Excellent song, can't wait for 9.9.14
erosvillegas
Delta Spirit is what falling in love sounds like.
Faresb2000
I love this comment :)
Jamesxchristopher
You guys are one of my favorite bands. Love the guitar work in this song. Looking forward the album! And, seeing you guys next time you're in Los Angeles. Good stuff
J Mouch
I have amazing memories to this song.
DanceLikeNobodyIsWatching
Awesome! I can't wait to see it live. DS is amazing LIVE! So stoked for Austin!
MrTcmano
This is my jam, you guys are awesome!
Dustin Dishno
Truly capturing your live sound on Album now. Love it great work DS! Saw you @ Belly Up Tavern you killed it.. See you this Halloween @ the observatory... Super Stoked For It!
LIGHT IN THEART
"may a love never break you"
azazel 105
que bello es conocer mas canciones de la banda y saber que siempre van a ser la vrga uwu