"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.
Strange Vine
Delta Spirit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wrapped around my neck
All twisted up between my stem
Between my stem
I'm tripping and fallen over
Things we just couldn't get over
I tried my best
Songs we never wrote
Seeds they wouldn't sow
We're taken it all to the end
And we're planting our own garden
The sun came while you were shining
The time flew while we were writing
Symphony in the key of D
Songs that had lost their luster
Finally they found their color
Oh
Songs we never wrote
Seeds they wouldn't sow
We're taking it all to the end
And we're planting our own garden
We made jokes about starting a new band
6 years working this whole plan
Maybe I'll make a home with you
Its been a straight life and its
These break lights city limits
I can't afford the truth
We are two Indians in the same canoe
Maybe I'll just start something new
We're taking it all to the end
And we're planting our own garden
We're taking it all to the end
We're planting our own garden
We're planting our own garden
Planting our own garden
The lyrics to Delta Spirit's song Strange Vine are filled with metaphors for the challenges and triumphs of creativity and human relationships. The strange vine wrapped around the singer's neck represents a creative project or an emotional burden that they cannot shake off. The lines "I'm tripping and fallen over / Things we just couldn't get over" suggest that this burden has hindered the singer's progress and prevented them from moving on from past mistakes or misunderstandings. Despite this, the singer is determined to try their best to overcome their obstacles and communicate their feelings, as expressed in the line "I tried my best / Get it off my chest."
The resolution of the song comes in the form of a metaphorical garden that the singer is planting. This garden represents a new beginning and a fresh start, where the seeds that had not previously grown can now find their color and blossom. The lines "We're taking it all to the end / And we're planting our own garden" emphasize the idea of closure and the possibility for growth and renewal. The symphony in the key of D and the reference to starting a new band suggest that this process of creative and personal evolution is ongoing and that the singer is ready to take ownership of their life and their artistic endeavors.
Line by Line Meaning
It's such a strange vine
This situation is odd and unexpected
Wrapped around my neck
It's causing some distress or difficulty
All twisted up between my stem
The situation is complicated and intertwined with their own life
I'm tripping and fallen over
They've stumbled and struggled with this situation
Things we just couldn't get over
They've been unable to resolve certain issues
I tried my best
They put in effort to overcome this challenge
Get it off my chest
They want to express how they feel about the situation
Songs we never wrote
Opportunities that were lost or missed
Seeds they wouldn't sow
Ideas that were unproductive or unsuccessful
We're taken it all to the end
They're committed to seeing this through
And we're planting our own garden
They're starting anew and creating something of their own
The sun came while you were shining
They missed out on opportunities while focusing on others
The time flew while we were writing
Time passed them by while they were working on something
Symphony in the key of D
Their work has a creative and musical quality to it
Songs that had lost their luster
Their previous work had lost its appeal or inspiration
Finally they found their color
Their new work is more vibrant and exciting
We made jokes about starting a new band
They talked about starting over and creating something new
6 years working this whole plan
They've invested a lot of time and effort into their work
Maybe I'll make a home with you
They're considering starting something new with someone else
Its been a straight life and its
Their life has been predictable and mundane
These break lights city limits
They're stuck in traffic, unable to move forward
I can't afford the truth
They're struggling to face a harsh reality
We are two Indians in the same canoe
They're both in this together, trying to navigate a difficult situation
Maybe I'll just start something new
They're considering a fresh start on their own
We're taking it all to the end
They're not giving up on this challenge
And we're planting our own garden
They're starting over and creating something of their own
We're taking it all to the end
They're committed to seeing this through
We're planting our own garden
They're starting over and creating something of their own
Planting our own garden
They're taking control of their own future
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRANDON YOUNG, JESSICA DOBSON, JONATHAN JAMESON, KELLY WINRICH, MATTHEW VASQUEZ, SEAN WALKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Hemfelt
I listen to this song every day...and every day it makes me unreasonably happy. :)
Michael Lewis
Such a great make my day song. Good call
Calvin Rivera
I woke up today with this song in my head. Super depressed for awhile now, somehow this beautiful song rings within me. 😢
Michael Lewis
More than the smile that this songs gives me, I love that it gives me the goosebumps , like I'm sneaking some little treasure when I hear it. Thanks delta spirit !
Wolfgang's Best
this is up there with my favorite songs of time
Kara
And we are planting our own garden 🌱
Elena K
I love this song so much
Omar Omar
My goodness it’s Such a gem
Calvin Rivera
"the sun came when you were shining" 🤯🥰
Juan Benitez
Found this group way back in 2013 and still listening in 2022