https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085392882373
From: Texas
Sounds like: Rock/Metal
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound?
Music found each of us in different ways. Jerry was introduced to it by his father, starting with The Beatles and learning the basics of guitar before discovering bands like Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and U2. He eventually began creating his own arrangements and never looked back. Kay started in sixth-grade orchestra playing viola and grew up loving karaoke. Eventually, she decided to join a band and truly began believing in her voice. Sara picked up an electric guitar that had originally been loaned to her younger brother and began teaching herself around age 10 or 11. The first song she learned was “Kryptonite” by 3 Doors Down. She started playing drums in sixth-grade band, later played drum set at church, and returned to music after about a ten-year break when she joined Delta Divide. She continues developing her metal drumming style and working on her double-bass technique. Kris began when her mother brought home a Jasmine Takamine guitar bundle to learn how to play. Life got busy for her, but Kris got busy with the guitar. Music and band classes helped build her foundation, and playing with experienced musicians in cover and original bands shaped her sound, skill, approach, and ear. All of those different backgrounds and influences eventually came together to create the sound of Delta Divide.
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
We want people to feel the real emotion behind our music. Every voice, instrument, and part of a song comes from us. Life has its ups and downs, but we want to remind people that they can still choose their own happiness, no matter what darkness they have experienced. Our music is also about camaraderie. It exists because we trust and rely on each other as bandmates while we deal, heal, and grow as individuals. We hope our listeners feel that connection, take away something positive, and grow alongside us.
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
We like to call it heavy mellow synth wave or even soul-healing metal. It blends rock, nu-metal, synth wave, piano, melodic singing, and screaming, with songs ranging from mellow and atmospheric to much heavier. Kris describes it like spumoni: if we tell you everything that’s in it, you might question it—but if you try it, you’ll probably like it a lot.
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
Narrowing everyone’s answers down to three, we would love to tour with Deftones, Kittie, and Nonpoint. Deftones and Kittie have both influenced members of our band, while touring with Nonpoint would be an incredible experience. Spiritbox, Dredg, Foo Fighters, and Creed are also high on our list, especially Creed, so everyone can watch our drummer fangirl. Honestly, we would be grateful to tour with any rock or metal band willing to have us.
5. What's your thoughts on AI generated music?
AI is fascinating, but it is also frightening because music generated by AI lacks the human soul and emotion behind real art. We believe music should be original and should come from genuine human experiences. As Dr. Ian Malcolm says in Jurassic Park, people can become so focused on whether they can do something that they forget to ask whether they should. We would rather leave that island, and leave the calculus questions to AI.
6. What’s your take on the current state of Rock/Metal?
Rock and metal are coming back strong. New-generation bands are introducing diverse sounds and taking the world by surprise, while many of the old-school and established bands continue to flourish. It is encouraging to see how established artists and younger bands are navigating an industry that constantly evolves. It gives us hope that Delta Divide, and other deserving local bands, can reach that level and build real longevity.
7. What’s the current local music scene like there in Texas?
The Texas music scene, especially here in the Rio Grande Valley, is diverse, eclectic, and very much alive. Because we are located along the Mexico border, Spanish music, Tejano, and mariachi naturally have a strong presence, but the rock and metal community continues to grow. There are many talented upcoming bands across different genres, and more venues are opening their doors to rock and metal shows. One of the most beautiful things is seeing a lineup of five completely different bands and watching the audience stay to support and enjoy every one of them. The local scene feels like a community and a family.
8. What’s your take on the royalties that streaming services pay out to artists?
Can we really call it “pay”? Any royalties or payments that help musicians grow are appreciated because money does not grow on trees, but artists deserve to be compensated fairly for their work. We may not be experts on royalties, but after making roughly five “doll hairs” from Spotify, we know there is plenty of room for improvement.
9. What’s next for Delta Divide?
We are in this for the long haul. We plan to create and release more music, make new music videos, perform outside our local area, reach new audiences, and continue growing the Delta Family. We want to build new connections and become as successful as possible while remaining true to ourselves and our sound. Hopefully, Elias Soriano sees this interview and invites us to tour with Nonpoint.
10. Any shoutouts?
Shoutout to From The Depths Entertainment, RGV Designs, our local venues, including The Flying Walrus, The Hop Shop, Gremlin, Cine El Rey, and The Kraken, and every band and venue that has welcomed us. Most importantly, shoutout to our fans, friends, families, partners, spouses, and children. They come to our shows, buy our merch, share our music, encourage us, and continue supporting what we do. We might have another album finished by now if they let us practice more, but that’s okay. We love them anyway.
