Deltaphonic’s elaborate costumes are no stage show gimmick.
When you sit and talk to the band members of the Deltaphonic’s, you quickly learn that the elaborate costumes they wear on, and sometimes off, stage are no stage show gimmick. These costumes are as much of their daily personalities as the deep seeded eclectic mix of music that mostly originated near the lower half of the Mississippi, their self-coined “Hill Country Disco” sound, and the simple pleasure they get of playing a good show, of their own music, that makes everybody happy.
Vizions of Rock: Who plays what instruments in the band?
DELTAPHONIC: The core of the band is a power trio. These days I sing and either play a hybrid guitar that is similar to what Charlie Hunter plays, or slide guitar with an octave generated bass signal. Paul Provosty plays lead guitar. Trenton O’Neal and Ciaran Brennan alternate on drums, and there's a good number of other awesome musicians that regularly join us as well.
Vizions of Rock Where did the name Deltaphonic come from and why?
DELTAPHONIC: The original bassist, Ben Walters, and I were riding in a car bouncing names with delta off of one another when it popped out. I immediately knew it was the one because of how cleanly it describes us. We take bits and pieces of music from everywhere, but Deltaphonic’s sound is rooted in an eclectic mix of music that mostly originated near the lower half of the Mississippi.
Vizions of Rock How did the band come together and how long have you been together?
DELTAPHONIC: The band first came together in New Orleans in 2013. We haven’t stopped since, but the sound and lineup has evolved a lot. Ciaran is the only other original member who is still involved. Trenton O’Neal joined in 2016, and Paul Provosty joined in 2018. In addition to the core group, we assembled a handful of fantastic musicians to help fill out The Funk, the Soul & the Holy Groove. We plan to keep working with them as much as possible.
Vizions of Rock New Orleans is such a rich musical area of the world. How does living in New Orleans influence and affect your music?
DELTAPHONIC: A lot more than I can easily explain. Nowhere else has quite the same attitude and the rhythm. There’s a certain kind of playfulness in New Orleans and South Louisiana music, even in the saddest songs. That’s how people are around here. It isn't the same anywhere else, especially further from the equator.
Vizions of Rock What is your self-coined “Hill Country Disco” sound?
DELTAPHONIC: We came up with that half-jokingly about five years ago when we were trying to think of a way to describe what we were doing live. We were playing a lot of Mississippi hill country-esque riffs with four on the floor dance beats to get people moving.
Vizions of Rock When I think of elaborate costumes in music; I think of the 1970’s Genesis, with Peter Gabriel, where he was quoting saying: “They make the performance more effective.” Do you feel on some level that your elaborate costumes help the audience identify with your music on a more personal level, or is it simply that you’re putting on a great show and it is part of your act visually, just like a good light show affects the mood?
DELTAPHONIC: I think he’s usually right. I don’t know if it helps people identify with us, but it does make people pay more attention. I can’t think of one show where I regretted wearing something ridiculous, but I can think of a few where flip flops and shorts would have been the wrong call. Then again, you might catch any of us dressed up like a total weirdo any day of the week, especially Trent or myself. We don’t just do it for the show.
Vizions of Rock Your song “Liars” is definitely directed right at the music industry. Now is your chance to vent. What has you so bothered and what would change about the music industry if you could?
DELTAPHONIC: We don’t hate the music industry. Most people we know in the industry are pretty cool, but it’s still a business. There is plenty of coldhearted bullshit involved. The music is important, but hype is king, especially before an artist is established. We knew Liars was going to be the first time a lot of people heard us. We figured what would be a more fitting introduction than a ridiculous, funky song that makes people feel good at the same time it makes them think about how absurd much of what we take for granted is? That’s Deltaphonic.
Vizions of Rock How does your song come together, where do you get your inspiration?
DELTAPHONIC: I can get inspired by any moment that has the right ingredients. I think there’s something mysterious about the way the pieces of a really good song fit together. It’s somehow greater than the sum of its parts. I’m usually inspired by a good story, but the song isn’t just about the story, it's about the image it evokes in the listener’s mind. Each song is a different animal. The key is figuring out what needs to happen, or not happen, for it to be ready. A lot of what I write ends up being a portrait of a specific feeling or idea mixed with a true story. Most of it comes from the place where blues and outlaw country come from because that is how I feel. Occasionally I write a love song.
Vizions of Rock As a follow up - What is the creative process like when writing your songs?
DELTAPHONIC: The older I get the more it’s an even mix of craft and feeling. I usually play chords or bass lines until I catch a few shreds of a melody or rhythm that fits with what’s on my mind. Then I’ll play it a million times and experiment with adding other ideas I’ve had. Knowing what to keep and what to get rid of, and ultimately having a sense for when a song “pops” and when it doesn’t is very important. Sometimes I’ll have a lightning bolt of inspiration, particularly with lyrics, and write a good song in an hour.
Vizions of Rock Do have any advice for up and coming musicians who want to follow in your footstep, aside from “Stay in school” and “Don’t quit your day job”?
DELTAPHONIC: I wish someone would have handed me an outline of important things to know the day I decided to play professionally. There is a lot of things you should know, and attention to detail really matters when you put it all together. Talent isn’t the only reason musical dynasties exist, it’s also wisdom about the lifestyle. Being a career musician, particularly one who writes and leads, is kind of like being a self-indulgent monk. I don’t think anyone should do it unless they know without doubt that it’s what they need to do, but if it is, they should give it everything and waste no time in telling all the inevitable detractors to fuck off. Other than that, don’t release anything until it’s ready. Show respect and pay attention to how the people you respect operate. Don’t get caught up with the wrong people. Work hard at everything because that’s one of things you can control. Don’t be too proud to learn from your critics.
Vizions of Rock Who are your influences?
DELTAPHONIC: There are too many to mention at once, and those with the most influence over what we’re making change as we evolve. They span almost all the genres I know about. All of us grew up on a heavy dose of southern roots music, but each of us have gotten into a lot of different stuff. For example, I’m a big fan of cumbia and high life. I’m almost as confused by people who only love one band or scene as I am by people who don’t like music.
Vizions of Rock What do you like best about being a musician and what is the worst part about being a musician?
DELTAPHONIC: There’s nothing better than playing a good show of your own music that makes everybody happy. The lifestyle also helps us meet cool people from all walks of life, so we don’t have any shortage of true friends. I guess the worst part is all the challenges and uncertainty.
Vizions of Rock What is on the horizon for the future?
DELTAPHONIC: We’re just getting started. I’m sure we’ll hit the road as soon as it makes sense, and we’re already working on new material.
Vizions of Rock Is there a tag line that describes DELTAPHONIC?
DELTAPHONIC: I don’t know about a tag line, but lots of quotes from our song lyrics do the trick-
Funky people don’t feel the same
As the heart grows old
The pop music fades
Til we’re talking bout soul
Only some things
You can’t falsify
Old hearts laugh a little
Every time they cry
Vizions of Rock How can we find you music?
DELTAPHONIC: It’s available on all platforms. If you’d like to buy it, we would prefer you buy it from our website or bandcamp where the middlemen take less of a cut. You can also contact us directly. We will have vinyl records for sale soon!
