From Autin to Asbury Park and Some Stuff Happening in the Middle (Brother)
By Matt Chrystal
Starting a new career, taking on a massive project, moving across the country, having a baby… all major life events that can be just as stressful as they can be exciting. Most people try to space those events out over time, but Matthew Logan Vasquez decided to take them all on at once. And from the sound of it, he is doing it in stride and doing it his way. In 2015, he stepped away from his successful indie band, Delta Spirit, to launch a solo career, put out an EP and full length album. He relocated from Brooklyn, NY to Austin, TX; and he and wife, Marthe, welcomed their son, Thor, into the world.
In advance of his upcoming show in Asbury Park (at The Saint on 7/27), I was able to get hold of Mr. Vasquez, fresh off of his show in Royal Oak, MI, and ask him a few questions. Here is what he had to say…
CM: You have had some major life changes of late including moving your home base from Brooklyn to your original stomping grounds of Austin, stepping away from Delta Spirit to go solo and having a baby (congrats by the way!)... How have these changes affected / influenced you in terms of both songwriting and life in general?
MLV: I'm almost done with my next record now!
Fatherhood has certainly consumed the inspiration for my songwriting. Texas has made also me a more centered and happy human.
CM: You played nearly all the instruments on Solicitor Returns, and it is credited under your full name, features only a picture of you on the cover and features the song "Personal" which is well... personal. And the Austin EP has a similar cover and tells your life story in the 18 minute odyssey through the opening track "Austin"... Was this an effort to say "this is just me doin' my thang" ... and, if so, how important was it for you get that statement out?
MLV: Austin & Solicitor Returns are extremely personal and raw. I've been working through this creative frustration for a while now. I can't explain the depth of it, but songs like “Everything I Do is Out” and “Austin” brought me back to the free place in music. Art and commerce aren't always the best bedfellows. But if this music didn't get made, I would not be able to continue doing this.
CM: You once said you hoped to be "Texas Famous" but is it safe to say you are now bent on world domination? You have embarked on a relentless tour schedule since the album was released in February. After the summer tour, you will venture to Europe and then return for another leg of your U.S. tour... What do you do to keep busy / sane while on the road for so long?
MLV: I think about my son and wife a ton while I'm away. "What will happen to my family if I don't work this hard?” That's a question I often ask myself. I love what I do and I'm blessed to have that. So why would I kill myself out on the road?
CM: In addition to performing as a solo artist, you are reuniting with John McCauley (of Deer Tick) and Taylor Goldsmith (of Dawes) as the indie-supergroup, Middle Brother at New Port Folk Fest, what drew you all back for the reunion performance?
MLV: We were offered an offer we couldn't refuse… or we'd be stupid to refuse it.
CM: Besides your own performances at Newport Folk Fest, who are you looking forward to seeing?
MLV: Nathaniel (Rateliff) Ryan (Adams), Elvis (Perkins & Costello), KD (Lang), Rayland (Baxter), Ian, Chris, Robby, Dennis (Deer Tick), Tuyet, the Parkingtons, my baby and baby momma to name just few.
This whole thing is gonna be a hoot! This is shaping up to be a flat out ramble.
CM: It would seem that your schedule is pretty booked solid with touring in support of Solicitor Returns but maybe a after a long nap, can we expect from Middle Brother somewhere down the line? How about from Delta Spirit?
MLV: Don’t hold your breath on either for a little bit. But hopefully both are in the stars!
CM: Do you consider it more frustrating or flattering when you are trying to promote your solo material and people continually ask if and when you will still be playing with Delta Spirit?
MLV: Flattering. Anybody liking anything I've done is flattering.
CM: After you play to thousands of people at a festival, what is like to return to smaller bar/club gigs? Are you still riding a high or do you have find a way to psych yourself up?
MLV: I love clubs. I cut my teeth in clubs. Clubs are the real thing. It's not bloated. It's just real connection the whole time. Homie, more clubs please!
CM: Playing Asbury Park, NJ is sort of like a home coming for you since you relocated from Brooklyn to Austin.... what are u looking forward to when returning to this area?
MLV: Asbury is so similar to Austin! So it will feel a lot like home. Asbury Park knows what live Rock n Roll is all about. I'm so excited to play the shore in the summer. It sounds like bliss.
CM: And we can't possibly mention Asbury Park without bringing up Springsteen sooo...
Solicitor Returns has a "Nebraska-ish" storytelling vibe mixed with some psychedelia a la Pink Floyd... Even though the acoustic guitar is prevalent, the album and the ep rock pretty hard!
Did you set out to rock harder with this album? And how would you describe your sound?
MLV: I do want what the BOSS set out to do and has accomplished. I want to have all the parts of Rock ‘n’ Roll that I love at the same time!
I want to sing like Roy, have production like Spector and lyrics like Dylan. Not a bad formula if you ask me. Although mine might be more like scream like Kurt, sing like Lennon and write like everybody.
Matthew Logan Vasquez will be performing at The Saint in Asbury Park Tonight, July 27th, with Derik Hultquist and Brother Andrew..
Solicitor Returns and Austin are both available now.
For more info: matthewloganvasquez.com
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