Back in February, Matthew Logan Vasquez released a new solo collection called Frank’s Full Moon Saloon, which found him reimagining songs from his successful indie rock outfit Delta Spirit into more of a folk vein. Of course, this being the celebratory nature that comes with anything Vasquez gets involved in, the album came with plenty of guest appearances. It’s also raw and intimate with a reflective, quieter tone to mark a contrast from Vasquez, or MLV as he calls his artistic self these days, as the wildly energetic frontman. Frank’s Full Moon Saloon seems to mark a new chapter for Vasquez as he ponders his career trajectory. He also recently launched a tour, with backing from the same players on the album, and on Friday, April 12th, they made their way to Portland, Oregon for an early show at Holocene.
Following a set from Austin’s Danny Golden that showcased the guitarist’s easygoing folk-rock and impressive lyricism, MLV took the stage and got straight down to business with the “Untouchable,” a story song that found Vasquez and his band tapping into a Western cowboy sound. They stuck to his solo material with “Over It,” a catchy song that hummed with indie rock cool. Properly warmed up and clearly in good spirits judging by the wide smile and bounce in his step, Vasquez steered the band into Delta Spirit territory with a version of “Bushwick Blues” that felt softer yet no less powerful than the big rock anthem. “Parade” was a standout moment with the band providing harmonies, while “Children” was dreamy and soothing, and “Salt in the Wound” was sprawling and emotional.
While the show started on a slightly mellower note, Vasquez gradually began ramping up his energy and injecting songs and banter with bursts of silliness and theatrics much to the crowd’s approval. During Delta’s Spirit’s swaying anthem “Strange Vine” he brandished a fine Jonathan Richman imitation, while he led the band in ghostly harmonies on “Ghost of Caddo” and delivered a dramatic and poignant take on the death song “Vivian.” Though Vasquez donned an acoustic guitar up until this point, inviting Danny Golden to the stage to strap on his electric for the bouncy, organ-tinged Middle Brother tune “Blue Eyes” signaled it was time to embrace his charismatic rocker side. Sticking with Middle Brother, Vasquez went full-on Neil Diamond as he belted out the lyrics to this sad and soulful ballad and hugged it out with members of the crowd as Golden gave them an emotional wallop of a guitar solo.
Given his career as a solo artist and frontman of Delta Spirit as well as a member of all-star groups like Glorietta and Middle Brother, Vasquez could have taken his set in any direction but somehow he managed to include touchpoints from all of these projects. Having made his way through solo tunes, Delta Spirit, and Middle Brother, it was time for Vasquez to sail off into the sunset and end on a high with Glorietta material. That band was his rowdiest and most freewheeling endeavor, and following the loose and swaggering solo tune “Red Fish,” the band burst into the 70s rock and roll of “Heatstroke.” “Everything I Do Is Out” laid into a charged-up MC5 punk force, while Sara Houser’s keyboard work gave “Ball Pit” a Devo-like urgency as Vasquez teased the Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs classic “Wooly Bully.” By the time the band closed out with the exuberant Springsteen-esque “Trailer Park,” Vasquez was completely in rocker mode. Though he may be entering a more humble and reflective point in his career, Vasquez’s performance in Portland was brimming with energy and showmanship, reminding the audience just how incredibly talented and versatile he is.
