There is no pain like stagnancy, inactivity gets to the best of us. And while my life over the last few years has been anything but mundane, I'm feeling a little stir crazy today for some reason. Whether it's what I can't control while I wait or a heaviness felt in wanting more, Ive decided to visit my deserted blog space for a change in medium. These are just fragments of the years since I last wrote here. Bits of silly life that have occurred.  

 Flowers in my window from 608 Elvira. My how I miss it. There really is no place like home.

Well, I moved to LA, China Town to be exact. Lasted a whole two months before moving back to good old Redlands Ca in Feb of 2017. Still hoping to get to Alaska, maybe this year...

Hidden anywhere and everywhere by one brave and brilliant mind.

Sean Rosenthall and I on our first visit to Bandit Town. We made great road trip friends, terrible roommates. We'll always have our mutual love for Sam Outlaw's music however.

Escalate, UT was interesting.

I was having too much fun feeling cool, hanging out backstage, I accidentally missed Beck. I'll never forget the night but I'll also never forgive myself for that. Ya learn.

Graduated from Cal State Long beach in May 2016, took away a BA in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing. Discovered watercolor in my Shakespeare course during my last semester. It gave me something to focus on whilst watching multiple renditions of the same play.

I miss my daily walks by the sea. Instead lately I ride my bike and take short jaunts through Redlands. 

I still write songs and play them around. I'm busy booking a May tour and recording new demos and I finally self released my record Evolutionary War last year. It has taken everything I have and more and it's been worth it. I can look back and give myself a break; at my age, single, poor, and conventionally obscure and just take pride, that on some level I have achieved my personal goals which is I suppose, all that really matters.

Until next time. xo 

-the Vagabond.

     

 

     About five years ago, a friend from Long Beach nabbed my ipod and filled it with tunes. He told me to pay special attention to his friend’s band- Delta Spirit- said they were about to explode. So for the next 6 months or so, the songs of “Ode To Sunshine” filled my headspace while I jogged or cleaned my room or entertained guests. Maybe a year later I was introduced to Brandon Young (their drummer), by a gal pal. Since then, Brandon and his wife Heather have become treasured friends of mine. And while I don’t get nervous and feel that I may puke on my shoes around them anymore (whew), to this day Delta Spirit remains one of my favorite bands.

     I’m always excited when they cut a new record, but this time around I’ve got all the symptoms of a bonafide fan-girl, anxiously awaiting the arrival of "Into The Wide", set for release on September 9^th 2014. It’s been almost two years since they’ve put out an album and as their frontman Matt Vasquez shares, it’s not for nothing that they’ve taken their time. The members of Delta Spirit have been busy growing up and overcoming some of life’s most challenging circumstances. But if these guys’ deft ability to ring the blood and truth out of trials and into their songs in the past, has any baring on their current and future capacities, than we’re all in for a real treat. Matt took a few moments to chat with me from New York, and this is what he had to say.

Delta Spirit is about to release their fourth record- does the anticipation of this release feel different than others?

Well, we’ve never had this much time off the road before making the album, so the tour and playing the songs in front of people is going to be the biggest thrill. It’s kind of a mental insanity, not being able to do the thing that you feel you’re supposed to be doing. And the excitement of getting to do this thing finally, feels great, feels phenomenal.

You guys have had some pretty unique recording experiences- cabins, friends as producers, music making, libations etc- what was this one like?

This one was hard at first and then triumphant in the end. We found a space in New York where we considered producing and recording the record ourselves, but then Sandy (Hurricane Sandy) washed it all away- we lost tons of equipment. Then over a year’s time we rebuilt it and worked on the songs, but it was rat infested and windowless, so the vibe was very claustrophobic in the beginning.

I remember that time period.

For the songwriting portion of the album it was great because I had solitude and I could walk to it from my apartment, so I’d go create these things and it was amazing. But when we all got together it was really difficult. After a year of that we hired Ben Allen who’s done Deer Hunter and Animal Collective. He’s a talent, he’s assertive, and he’s a great musician. Having him get involved was a big boost in confidence. When he lent his opinion, more times than not it was, “You guys are great, don’t worry about it.”

Then we drove to Atlanta and got into a studio with actual natural sunlight, and all of a sudden everything just clicked.

Do you think it was the physical space that made the magic happen, or was it all the waiting and anticipating?

The concepts and the music started in a place of dinginess and claustrophobia and the city, and I think that had as much to do with the record’s sound as anything, but the thing that we did that has always kind of worked for us, is to go on an adventure together. Whether it be to a cabin up in Julian, or Northern California, or Dreamland up in Woodstock- we like to go to a location with the things we’ve collected and find it together. Like at summer camp.

Is there anything in particular about this project that you guys are hoping listeners will receive other than a great sounding record?

Hopefully it’s more than just sound. I mean, what is a great record, you know? It’s something that people attach to and relate to and feel. It’s something they take with them on road trips and that they connect with emotionally. The record itself is just a document. It’s like a yearbook.

I think this record is actually different than the other albums though because over the last two years John and his wife had a baby, Brandon moved to a national forest, Kelly and I have each been experiencing New York and Will went through a lot emotionally.

Brandon got beat up the whole year because everyone [in the band] is a drummer, but when he stepped into the studio, he just swung away with both middle fingers in the air, being himself again, finally. John took no time to track his bass because he’s just so phenomenal and his heartbeat is always with Brandon. Kelly got his emotive nature and ethereal accents on the album at the very end and just really poured all this stuff out. I sang like three vocals every couple days. It wasn’t some afterthought, like “Ok now lets cut some vocals.” It was something I really got to think about. Will’s dad was diagnosed with cancer during pre-production and at the point we started recording- actually the day he tracked guitars for Into The Wide- his dad was having major surgery to find out whether or not he was going to make it. When he finished playing his parts he would just lay on the couch, face down, and nobody could talk to him. But listening to the tracks, you can really feel the pain in his playing.

I think there’s a lot of pain from this year, from all of us, in it. At least I get that sensation when I’m listening to it. Its triumph over how hard those things were.

Ok, then I will hope with you guys that other people will feel that as well cause it’s profound. I definitely believe that the strength of any artist is their capacity to channel emotion through fingertips and vocal chords etc.

Yes. It’s a lot of us in this record instead of just one person. On our last record, I would have an idea of what a song should sound like and then we all attacked it. But we’ve always been trying to do this thing where everybody’s soul is involved in the song, and this record definitely has way more of that than we’ve ever had before.

How has songwriting changed for you since you first started writing for DS?

Well, I think the forms and the stories and how those stories turn out has changed. The forms and the vernacular of songs are really [important]. Trying to figure out how to take a pop song and make it meta, and trying to take a murder ballad and make it sound like it’s from the 21^st century. Those are kind of the two main things in songwriting that I aspire to do.

I’ve been to so many DS shows and I never get tired of seeing you guys live. Every performance is so special and energized. What puts the spirit in Delta Spirit?

[Laughs] I don’t know. Or, I do know, or I think I know. […] There’s something about the way that John and Brandon play together, in terms of the rhythm section, because they’ve been playing together since they were 16. There’s something about Kelly and my relationship that includes both tension and creative respect. There’s something about Will’s guitar playing that is just far and away, it’s something to notice. And when we’re all playing on this stage and it all clicks, I feel like I’m in the best band in the world. I feel lucky that I get to do this and be in this band. Each of us feels that in our own way and it’s this idea, like, “Let’s not waste it, let’s be the song and mean it more than anybody else.”

Do you have a heroine or hero? And what makes her or him so heroic?

To me the heroes of music are the people that do exactly what they want to do because they feel that it’s the right thing to do. And then it’s cut pretty simply like that, you know? Like with Dylan, Hendrix, Nick Cave, The Beatles, Neil- Young, not Diamond. U2 is another great example, they’re a band that’s striving, not just chasing their greatest hits.

As we keep making records, the passion has to be there. And the people that I look up to are the people that are able to maintain that and have.

Ok, one more... Would you rather box DMX or John Snow?

I’d rather box John Snow.

How Come?

Cause I could take him.

I actually feel like that’d be a good match.

Yeah, I would take John Snow.

I mean, that’s a bold assertion.

Yeah. I don’t know about DMX. He’s old now, but DMX in the 90’s [laughs]. Yeah, I don’t know. I’m pretty scrappy… I think I could probably take both of them.

There’s a good answer.

For everything Delta Spirit go here.

Hey y'all! I'm playing at Hangar 24 Brewery in my hometown of Redlands Ca, tonight. I hope to see some friends out for the occasion... (hint hint, wink wink) I've got a great set planned for you and the magical, Elijah Thomson will be sitting in with me. His electric guitar skills are fairly delicious in case you get hungry... I think also my mom said she was going to bring me pizza--what a woman?! I plan to drink preciesly two Orange Wheat bruskies and wrap every inch of my body in heavy textiles to keep warm (outdoor venues are tuff in Dec).
Anyhoo, I hope you're having a wonderful week, staying on task and being inspired. Or taking it easy and not thinking much... Both are necessary at times.
Hope to see you soon, like maybe tonight.
xoxo
Erin

Hi there! Well, it's that time of year again; the time when I'm crunching deadlines at school, getting ready for finals and polishing up my end of the semester projects. It's that special time when lines at stores are curiously long and parking lots become unusually hostile environments. Somehow, in spite of my normally deep and empathetic nature, I'm feeling a little lack-luster this holiday season. I don't really know what my deal is but I gotta be honest, something is definitely funky. Perhaps, I've been working too hard, or playing too hard, or a combination of the two. Who knows? I'm ready for winter break to start so that I can pay my sweet friend Gentry an uncomfortably long visit at her cuddly mountain home in Crestline, Ca. I think I need some snow days, mimosas, snugly babies and warm pazookies to bring my Christmas spirit round.
I AM excited to announce I'll be playing a couple of shows in the next two weeks. It always feels nice to be busy making music during the funky times. So if you feel like joining me and bolstering the yuletide cheer, come watch a show.

Hangar 24: I'll be playing first at Hangar 24 Brewery in Redlands, Dec. 11th @6:30pm. Bring a jacket!
Hotel Cafe: Next is the Hotel Cafe Christmas benefit show on Fri Dec 13th @7pm (flier above). You can purchase advance tix for NIGHT ONE right HERE
Hotel Cafe: Then I'll be playing a full set at the Cafe on Dec 17th @7pm, trying out new material and polishing up the standards.

So I hope to see your smiling face one way or another in the approaching season, or else I'll have a blue Christmas without you...
xoxo
Erin

Silence of the Yams.

Alyssa gets to it.

 Scottie and Chris looking dapper.

Brandon and Evan carne carving.

 Maria and her famous brussle sprouts.

 Some good eats.

Nick.

 Sara and Heather working the spread.

Girls. Alyss, Sara, Angela.

Not a drop spilled.

 Andy!

 Anna & Andy. Preshies.

 My little rig. 

This weekend was properly fun. I slept all day Friday ( = fun to me); got nice and rested for two full evenings of party time. Saturday was friendsgiving at Brandon and Heather's in Mountain Home Village, and Sunday was Andy's wedding in LALA. I do apologize for the several blurry photos above. I can't be judged for my lack of professionalism once a certain measure of substance is consumed. I can however ensure good company and exceptional dance moves.
Heather and Brandon did a slam dunk job of preparing their first turkey dinner. The house was toasty and full of feastly scents and sights, the way any good holiday home is. Crackling fire gathered chit-chatters and hanger-outers, the busy kitchen bustled with hands-on helpers and the porch, crispy and dampened by the fall, hosted smoke breakers. I whipped up a TJ's Tofurkey accompanied by sliced shitakies, parsnips and onion; garnished with garden sage and rosemary... delicious. The scene was populated by beautiful people, many beautiful foods and their groups, and their wild friends, wine and pie. I ate until my already tight pants nearly burst off my body, and sipped sparkling wine till I was tipsy and giggling at nearly every damn thing. We played bunko, which I proved to be terrible at. Apparently the luck of my lucky lineage was not with me.
There was a dance party wherein Nick plead for a slow song (Casey and Jo-Jo- "All My Life") so he could ask his lovely bride to share a dance, which was both hilarious and completely sincere, and therefore, amazingly romantic. I'm writing the whole night up as a success. Friends giving as friends do-- food, drink, laughter and love.
Sunday, Andy Toy (occasionally my)-- badass keys player, married Anna Nelson (Moxi). What a sweet couple and ceremony and party! They requested I play "Marry Me" for their first dance. I couldn't have been more honored, I was happy just to be invited.... Which is why I felt so terrible that the PA gave us wedding-day glitch... My guitar was mysteriously lost to the speakers. :0(((( They were totally gracious though and I got to watch my two lovely friends dance to the rhythm of their own love while I sang them a song that I wrote. It was one of those moments as a musician I'll never forget.
I also made a new friend who played lovely tunes for their craft cocktail hour. His name is Ray Fortune and he sings like Ryan Adams, check him out! He can also cut a mean rug!
Despite the one wedding glitch (which I was directly tied to of course) I'm going to have to write this one up as strongly wonderful, tasteful, emotive and elegant! Congrats Andy and Anna, you're both beautiful!
Lastly- I took time Monday to work on a couple of new song ideas. I'm still loving my Gretsch for writing these days. I'm running it through that little red hot Fender which sounds so freakin sweet and cost less than a color printer, and is way cooler in my humble opinion. Unless of course you need to print something.
I just booked a few play dates, for December. Some here, some there. Details to come, so stay tuned.
Bless your heart, xoxo,
E

Falling for it, big time.

 I promise I didn't set this shot up. But it's funny to note the things you've got lying around your workspace. I think it's quite telling actually. Gel Pen, paper clamp, hair tie, lavender oil and parfume-- check. Laptop, beta mic, dead terrarium, cigar box, lost keys, Santa Maria matchbook, and phone chargers-- double check! 

 My friend Angela has the most awesome new beau... who dressed like this for Alyssa's roller skate b-day jam. 100 points to Loren!

 The gals. B-day girl at center. (I'm still wearing that Ramones tee)

 Alyssa's hubby (right) and best friend when they were tiny babies... they still act like this and it's wonderful.

 I took a nature walk in Mt. Home Village this weekend and welcomed the frailty of fall...

 As well as it's full bouquet of warmth.

 Red hot chili peppers soaking up the sun in Mt. Home Village.

 Nagelesque portrait of moi by Marc Piron.

Good fun at Largo last night. Some Dawes guys, some other guys + Sean Watkins and Blake Mills.

I'm back for round two in the same week? Un-heard of! I'm into it tho, so lets just flow with me. I was thinking today about the numerous dynamic elements that starting out in music has to offer. I have often imagined I could write a mini-series about the many fabulous and also super awkward moments I have encountered on this, my journey into a life of music. See, I love those moments, however strange or unbelievable they may be at times, and I think there is an element of truth in a lot of them that potentially resonates in the hearts of er'one who has ever been the new kid on the block, so to speak. For example, I remember a time I played a particular venue in Hollywood where the artist bathroom is the same as the audience's. I ran to the restroom straight after my set, and when my business was done and I was exiting my stall, in walked one of my three fans from the audience. She approached me right away. She was deeply touched by the lyrics in my songs, she loved my hair, she hugged me and held me by both of my biceps while she lavished generous compliments and encouragement onto me... All of this would have been perfectly awesome (obviously new kids love love) if she had given me 30 more seconds to proceed to the sink to wash my hands first. I didn't know whether to live in and relish the moment, or sacrifice it for the sake of sanitation. I just stood there like an Oscar Meyer Wiener (germ-a-phobe that I am), arms straight down at my sides, waiting for her to release me and also hoping that she didn't decide to use my used up stall next... Sowwy... Too much too much.

I digress.

Last night was one of the fabulous nights as the new kid tho. Sean and I went to Largo for a birfday party for Griffin Goldsmith (Dawes) and it was too too good! Of course there was the meeting of several musicians that I have already met several times before, who will literally never remember me until I either make it sorta big or turn around and moon them with my butt in order to make a serious impression. And since I'm trying to grow up some, I decided just to blithely make their acquaintanceship once more. Then, there was the open-house jam/ hang on the stage which I will show you below... Don't worry, I do not think that I'm cooler than you. In many ways sharing my enthusiasm over such things makes me more dorky than you will ever be. That's just the way it goes. I am not cool. Especially not when I try to be. I'm just looking for those who can appreciate a little social retardation in an indie rock songstress... good luck right? 

Oh, but this did make me feel kinda awesome-- I got to meet Jenny Lewis (for the first time) and she was precious and wonderful and her shoes were bitch-ing!!!

Ok, enough enough. xoxo E  

Muzak

Hey there everyone! I know I'm simply a poor excuse for a blogger. I get stars in my eyes each year thinking of how I'm going to get crackin on my updates and posts and anecdotes. I think of how I'm going to start spending some real time with my computer-- making drum loops, editing photos and writing for this ghost-town blog-- and then life and fun start to happen and I get too busy living and having it all that I drop the proverbial ball on my social networking... 

Well, this entry is not a promise to be better (cause I may never), it's not a declaration of my devotion to the web, because (I know you'd all agree) what's important is not being caught up, but spending as many moments as possible being present. It's just an opportunity to stop in and creatively reflect through some of the work and play of my last couple of years.

I am finally finishing my first full length record! Started two and a half years ago with a cast of super talented musos and friends, and completed over the last six months with a whole new crew of insanely artful and wickedly talented musical wizards. I am confounded at the willingness of my sweet friends to get together and make a dream a reality.

 Joshua Tree shoot W/ Heather Morgan and Alyssa Espalin (photo by AE) 3/13

 Lady Luck kick drum. National Freedom, Cottage Grove OR. 8/13

 Watkins' Family Hour at Largo in the City of Angels.

 Opened for Cary Brother's record release at the Hotel Cafe, Hollyweird CA. 5/13

 Style by SX. Fashion expo at SXSW. 3/11

 Superbud! Brandon Young (Delta Spirit) introed Eli and I. 5/13

 Mr. Elijah Benjamin Thomson. Producer, muso, guru and fwend.

Frank Lenz. Makin it sound mean. 6/13

 Commander Sean Watkins and Producer Wil Golden in pre-pro at the cowboy studio. 5/11

 Lenzo, the sweetheart, bout to bake us a chiggn and salmon dinner. 7/13

 Bob Dylan at Verizon Amphitheatre 08/13.

Swift and Eli making the best weird noises on my songs. National Freedom stude Cottage Grove, OR. 8/13

 National Freedom, sew art-z. #nobo 8/13

 Richard Swift left a werewolf paw print on my record. 8/13

I've had the privilege of working in New Monkey studio, Van Nuys, CA. Formerly the studio of Elliot Smith. 10/13

Joshua Tree shoot b-sides by AE. #glampout 3/13

 Aaron Tasjan playing electric for Everest Band and on my record. +Elijahjuan at Uncommon Ground in Chi town. 4/13

 I found that tee at the thrift, removed the sleeves, placed it onto my torso, and haven't really parted with it sense.  '13

 I think he's fly.

Kelly Winrich (Delta Spirit), ultra competitive, smells like axe cologne, dialed dance moves, magician in training, music maker by trade, wears a polo shirt to the the gym, boat loafers in Brooklyn, Bullet Rye neat, pool hustler, ping pong swindler, unbuttoned button-up. Daaamn boy. BK, NY. 9/13

 Me and Stevie in my new place, Redondo Beeotch, CA.

 Mine eye.

 Ze Fairchild. New Monkey stude stude. 10/13

 One of the Mazzy buses. Eli showing me the ropes. 11/13

Mazzy Star was a delicious 90's treat! 11/13

 Played a sweet benefit show for www.karensandiego.org supporting Burmese refugees in SD, CA. 11/13

 Aaron Redfield gettin techy in the cowboy studio, on my song called Cowboy. 5/11


Welp kids, this blog entry just took the better part of my day to make. Which explains why I hardly ever make blogs. I hope you liked it though. It's a flash back and a sneak peak. Stay tuned for the record's appearance to the world in 2014!