Delta Spirit

After the San Diego-based emo outfit Noise Ratchet called it quits in 2004, co-founders Jon Jameson (bass) and Brandon Young (drums) decided to ditch their punk-influenced sound for something more rootsy. The two left Rick Rubin's American label (which had signed Noise Ratchet several years prior) and joined forces with vocalist Matthew Vasquez, guitarist Sean Walker, and multi-instrumentalist Kelly Winrich to form Delta Spirit. Pitching its style between the indie rock and alt-country camps, the group issued an EP entitled I Think I've Found It in 2006 and hit the road alongside Cold War Kids and Dr. Dog.

Delta Spirit's debut album, Ode to Sunshine, was released by the bandmates themselves in 2007. It reappeared one year later in a remastered format courtesy of the band's new label, Rounder Records. Reviews for the record were highly favorable, and the group toured heavily before traveling to Prairie Sun Studios in 2009 for the creation of a second album. The finished product, History from Below, was released in June 2010. Just before their third album, Delta Spirit, was released in 2012, the group underwent some changes. Walker left the band and was replaced by guitarist Will McLaren, and the group moved from Long Beach, California to Brooklyn, New York. ~ Andrew Leahey, Rovi