Matthew Logan Vasquez

2015 (The Year of The Ram) has been a year of major change for Matthew Logan Vasquez. He moved with his wife, Marthe, from Brooklyn to Austin, he saw the birth of his first child Thor, and after a decade since founding his critically acclaimed band, Delta Spirit, he’s finally decided to go it alone FOR THE FIRST TIME, with his solo debut, The Austin EP, to be released November, 2015 , and a full length LP, Solicitor Returns, to shortly follow in early 2016. This sea- change is reflected on the EP’s stunning psych-folk-rock opener, a ballsy 18-minute track (yes EIGHTEEN minutes) that conjures desert visions of Crazy Horse guitar solos, David Crosby’s mustache, and all the good things about a journey through the past on mescaline. Matt actually grew up in Austin (and Dana Point, CA too) and the song is a slice of his life--an autobiography that isn’t even close to being finished-- an epic American saga that reflects his skill as a remarkable modern songwriter still on the rise. If Richard Linklater could write a song, this would be it.

"Matt’s voice and words have that Nashville outcast vibe to it,” says Jay Sweet, producer of the Newport Folk Festival and a longtime champion of Matt’s music. “He’s not California, he’s not Texas, he’s not Brooklyn—even though he’s lived in all of those places. He’s a transplant and a vagabond, which is why he embodies folk and rock music. For a singer- songwriter, he is truly refreshing."

Matt went solo for simple reasons-- to return to the style of rock he loves. And when he went solo he REALLY went solo. He plays every instrument on the record, except for two drum tracks and one guitar track. Delta Spirit undoubtedly will be back but he wanted to make a collection of music without the influence of his beloved brethren (it's only natural for a frontman to feel the need to let loose from time to time). You will hear his new material and you will hear Iggy Pop. Neil Young. Kurt Cobain. Gram Parsons. But ultimately, you're hearing Matthew Logan Vasquez. A man young at heart, who loves the shit out of rock music... loves it so much that it's been his life's goal to make the masses reconnect with her spirit. But he's become a father, and he's been through some shit. His dad was a bomb builder. Fact.

At the end of the day, Matt’s objective as a singer, a poet, a preacher, a believer in this beautiful bullshit we call “RocknRoll,” is to find some harmony through life’s confusion and to make you feel good about yourself. He'll be spreading his message via his wonderful songs starting in the fall of 2015. You better go put your dimes in his collection basket. Are there better things you can be doin with those dimes?

Written by Jesse Lauter

Reverend Baron

Reverend Baron is a musical project comprised of a handful of Southern Californa musicians. Cardinaled by the songs of Daniel E. Garcia. the origins of which can be traced and pin pointed by this photo.

Dustin Lovelis

Composer, performer, and multi-instrumentalist Dustin Lovelis has been busy crafting songs in his coastal birth town Long Beach, CA. Since Dustin’s late teens, the god-son-of-grunge has toured the globe with a myriad of musical outfits, including The Fling (Dangerbird Records) as primary vocalist and songwriter. Taking a break from touring and the music business, The Fling went on hiatus with no concrete plans to continue. Fortunately for his fans, Dustin couldn’t stop writing songs and returns with an ambitious debut solo effort Dimensions, due for release on Porch Party Records on May 19th, 2015.

Dustin’s music is drenched in textures both vintage and modern, while his fine-tuned pop-sensibilities rise out of whichever era ignited the inspiration. After The Fling dissolved, Dustin took over all writing responsibility. With a guitar, a microphone, and a bottle of whiskey, Dustin found his way through his influences and pinned his own demos to a multitrack. Without any input from band members, Dustin meticulously created his new DNA of sound with hints of The Everly Brothers, The Pixies, and The Beatles. He knew it was time to return to the studio.

Dustin recorded Dimensions at Elliott Smith’s former music home New Monkey Studios. He found the ideal compliments for his timeless sound with an insane amount of gear and incredibly talented musician friends. Elijah Thomson of the band Everest played bass and produced the album, and prolific composer and session player Frank Lenz lays down his dynamic drumming with classic fills. After two days, the basic tracks were finished. A few more instruments and vocals were added, and Dimensions was complete.