Matthew Logan Vasquez spent the past decade fronting the California-based band Delta Spirit, which has released four albums. The band's music soundtracked the final scene of the television series "Friday Night Lights."
Delta Spirit is currently on a break, but Vasquez isn't slowing down. He released his debut solo LP, "Solicitor Returns," in February and recently played a headlining show at Denver's Lost Lake Lounge. The album is Vasquez's attempt to move away from pure Americana-folk and into a rock 'n' roll sound.
Prior to his show in Denver, Vasquez stopped by OpenAir for a solo acoustic performance. He also spoke with OpenAir's Alisha Sweeney about recording years-old songs for his solo album, his approach to writing for both a band and his solo act, and the influence of bands like Pink Floyd and Motorhead.
Stream the full session above. Read interview highlights and watch more videos below.
Vasquez on writing for both Delta Spirit and his solo material:
"It's the same thing. I just write whatever songs come into my brain. Then I finish them and then I put the ones that fit together, together. That's all I've ever done."
On his mentality while writing 'Solicitor Returns':
"Music in itself is a faith of what you think. I want to share how I feel with people. That's why I'm on this planet Earth. ... My gifts lie here, in what I think rock 'n' roll is."
Songs performed:
- "Personal"
- "Everything I Do Is Out"
- "Half Colt"
"Everything I Do Is Out"
"Half Colt"
