Del Pelson

Summer is right around the corner and with the rapidly warming temperatures, people are starting to look for their next summer bop. If you are one of those people, you need to look no further! Del Pelson’s new single “Heather Lou” has everything you might want from an upbeat, summertime jam: bright melodies, an unrelenting bass, and a tempo that makes you want to dance in the sand. Del Pelson might be new in the game, but with “Heather Lou” they are proving to be a fast indie favorite.

Sprightly pop songs can be very hit or miss in today’s music industry, especially in the indie-pop community. At this point the consumer is craving something new with hints of the old pop they once knew and loved, and the boys of Del Pelson are hitting that marker perfectly. Their sound is very reminiscent of early Arctic Monkeys and Bombay Bicycle Club, but of course they’re bringing their own amazing spin to the table. With a hint of the ever beloved indie sound of the early 2000’s and a bright, modern overtone, Del Pelson are doing something most bands cannot; mixing nostalgia with current music trends. Whether this be deliberate or not it’s something that pulls the listeners in and keeps them coming back, and it’s certainly creating a well deserved fanbase.

The Florida based band seemed to use the influence of the sunshine state to make the sounds that go into "Heather Lou" but the same could not be said about the lyrics. While the flashy guitar and soaring vocals might fool you into thinking this is an all around happy song, the lyrics describe a girl who is becoming distant while onlookers try to figure out the cause and how to help. This point is driven home with their music video in which the band is engaged in a therapy session with 'Heather Lou', presumably trying to get to the bottom of why she looks so blue. The video features the band playing live performance style while 'Heather Lou' sits in a therapy chair looking disinterested. The lyrics and the video showcase the helpless feeling you have when you see someone you care about being overcome by depression, and you can tell that the message is very genuine.

Del Pelson is a rapidly growing nebulae and before we know it they will transform into full blown stars. Make sure to listen and watch "Heather Lou" on all available streaming platforms and support the band in their early stages as we will definitely be hearing more from them very soon.

Keep in touch with Del Pelson!


-Hailey Hale - Give Me A Try Magazine

Bright, danceable beat. Driving, energetic bassline. Clean, tight guitar. A beautiful girl with existential ennui. Del Pelson’s single “Heather Lou” truly has it all. The single, released on March 29th, features the titular Heather Lou on a song full of lyrical dissonance at its finest, insecurity and leisure all at once. “Heather Lou,” it begins, “why are you feeling so damn blue?” Hailing from Boca Raton, Florida, Del Pelson imbues their music with all of the cheer and easiness of the Sunshine State’s beaches and the tough realities of romantic relationships.

Heather Lou, the eponymous woman at the heart of Del Pelson’s troubled lyrics, is “so damn blue”, despite all that her lover tries to do and be for her. Cal Nelson, vocalist and guitarist, describes it as “seeing your partner become distant or depressed, and wondering what the cause could be and if there is anything you can do to help.” In relationships where one person is going through something internal like mental illness, it can feel as though the other party is at fault, causing extreme anxiety. Nelson calls it, “an internal battle, with the idea that maybe the best help I can be is to set you free from me.” This insecurity drives the song forward, a plea for some kind of answer to the question: is it my fault you’re sad?

“Well we’re stuck in the middle of a gun fight/ Stuck in the middle of a showdown/…/ If there was a way I’d do anything for you,” Nelson croons. Though he also plays a canny guitar, his voice is what sells him as a musician; he sounds like a 21st-century Chet Baker, if Chet Baker ever sang anything upbeat. Bassist Nathaniel Spiner produces a danceable bassline that, when combined with Garrett Kealer’s tight and energetic drum pulse, really motors. They set the stage for multi-instrumentalist Patrick Montanari to work his magic on keys, which give the song a nice fullness that wouldn’t be achieved with guitar and bass alone. The bridge doesn’t really build to a dramatic final chorus in a way that satisfies; the last chorus doesn’t feel any bigger or more exciting than the ones that preceded it, there is no explosion of sound or wild solos underneath the vocals. However, this in no way detracts from the high energy and carefree vibes the four create together. The instrumentation makes this an ideal song to perform live, which makes sense; live performance was, after all, the song’s genesis.

Though the band only just released the single and its music video this past March, the band has been playing it live for almost a year, giving them the opportunity to try a multitude of approaches. The crowds they play to have helped them hone it into a true piece of art, and when it came time to record, the band knew exactly what they wanted to do. It feels less like a brand new track and more like a favorite summer tune, the kind you crank up driving down the interstate with the windows down.

Del Pelson, who have previously opened for national acts like Kurt Travis and Brent Walsh, have a small handful of live shows you can catch this summer in the South Florida area. Their music is available to purchase on bandcamp and to stream on Spotify– a handful of singles, their World Wide EP, and their self-titled album. Summer playlists will find that “Heather Lou” (and all of Del Pelson’s music) fits in well alongside tracks from bands like Vampire Weekend, Fat Night, Arctic Monkeys, and Phantom Planet.

Show dates:
5/30 Propaganda – Lake Worth, FL
6/1 Bougainvilleas – Miami, FL
6/5 Bayside Marketplace – Miami, FL
7/6 Grandview Public Market – West Palm Beach, FL
8/7 Bayside Marketplace – Miami, FL


-Katrina Feraco - Good Night Magazine

A little bit pop, a little bit alt, Del Pelson’s charming style can’t quite be nailed down. The band’s sound is somehow both laid back and energetic, thanks to the diverse personalities and methods of its four members. Frontman Cal Nelson is a songwriting talent with innate creativity and a unique way of seeing and hearing the world. Garrett Kealer’s drumming ranges with incredible subtleness to virtuosic grooves; Nathaniel Spiner brings melodic, driving bass lines to the frontline, and Patrick Montanari acts as the band’s secret weapon with impressive saxophone skills, foundational keyboard layers, and slick guitar leads. Together, Del Pelson breaks age and gender barriers with its catchy indie-pop melodies and influential alternative rock beats, exploring love, life, and irony with musical undercurrents of jazz, blues, roots, folk, reggae, and surf.

Today, Del Pelson unveils their latest single, “Heather Lou” along with it’s accompanying music video exclusively via Music Existence.

Talking about the song itself, Del Pelson frontman Cal Nelson says; “We’ve been playing the song live now since about the time of our last release; it’s given us time to really fine tune it. We had a lot of fun with it in the recording studio because we knew exactly what we wanted and were able to knock it out in a single day. We even have Heather Lou singing the high part in the last chorus!”

The band is well known for their live chemistry, and their obvious enjoyment is infectious. Del Pelson performed in the 2016 UndertowJam, featuring Young the Giant and Bear Hands. They have since opened for other national acts including Kurt Travis, Brent Walsh, and more. Formed in 2015, Del Pelson has since been featured in 104.3 The Shark’s Open Swim Podcast Series with Erin Lee, Miami New Times, PureHoney Magazine, Soundbite Magazine, York Calling, Mystic Sons, and more.


-John Hutchings - Music Existence

We at Everything Is Noise are proud and excited to debut Del Pelson‘s new single “Oak”! Hailing from Boca Raton, Florida, Del Pelson have done quite a lot in their short time together. They have already released two EPs and have played alongside big-name acts such as Kurt Travis, Young the Giant, and Brent Walsh. Describing their sound and genre is as difficult as it is irrelevant. Using their own blend of indie-rock sounds with alternative and pop-like writing, there is something for near anyone to like and enjoy. It’s relaxing and uplifting, bringing a sense of warmth and feel-good attitude that make them an instant attraction.

Their style is continued with their newest single, “Oak”. The deep and vivid lyrics are only amplified by the driving beat and subtle melody behind them. The bridge is the shining point in this song. It is incredibly fun and very poppy without losing their indie roots. I know I have already listened to this single many times in the short time I have had access to it, and it doesn’t get old or worn out. The glimmer in its eye remains bright through each playthrough and I just cannot get enough of it.

You can listen to the new single here!

You can keep up with Del Pelson on their social media sites, such as their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and listen to their previous releases on their Spotify and Bandcamp. Keep an eye on them as well for more music to be released in the coming months!


-Spencer Adams - Everything Is Noise

Serious songs don’t have to sound serious. When thinking about a song that’s about a big societal problem or a touch time in someone’s life, it can be easy to think of a slow, dramatic ballad. There’s nothing wrong with that approach, but it’s not the only way to deal with these issues. An upbeat or a catchy song can help give new perspective on an issue or introduce it to an entirely new crowd. Boca Raton band Del Pelson have taken this fresh approach to heart. The result is their new single “Traffic,” premiering on Substream this afternoon.

“Traffic” is built on charming guitar rock, with lead singer and guitarist Cal Nelson providing a soothing musical structure to welcome listeners. Once listeners are drawn in, the lyrics start and the true nature of the song is revealed. It seems life isn’t going to well for Nelson, as he’s engaging in a lot of self-destructive behaviors. The lyric “I’ve been walking out in traffic” provides the title of the track and the central theme of the chorus. The music picks up a little more zip as the drums come in and and the riffs increase in intensity, but everything still sounds serene. More frequent mentions of alcohol begin to appear as the song goes on as we begin to realize the root of what’s happening. “Traffic” does an amazing job of providing a downright charming sound to background the difficult truths Del Pelson are revealing.

“Traffic” was inspired by a very real, very serious moment in Nelson’s life. He says

“‘Traffic’ empathetically looks at how substances can be appealing at first, but a delirious realization reveals abuse and addiction can derail a life. To put it simply, Traffic is about alcoholism. There was a point in college when I realized I was drinking more often than what would be a sustainable lifestyle, but that short time in my life gave me a glimpse into how somebody might fall into a cycle of addiction.”

You can listen to “Traffic” now. Del Pelson are also playing a couple shows this summer, and those dates are included below.

Del Pelson Tour Dates
7/6 – Grandview Public Market – West Palm Beach, FL
8/7 – Bayside Marketplace – Miami, FL


-Gabriel Aikins - Substream Magazine

Del Pelson have released their latest single, titled “Heather Lou.”
The song is instantly catchy, from the melodies to the drumbeats and guitar riffs. That instrumentation driving the intro continues throughout the verses, keeping that upbeat rhythm going. The chorus on here is very memorable, getting stuck in my head fairly quickly, and the vocal performance in that chorus shows off the vocalist’s talent and potential. Another highlight was the bridge, which brings a lot more energy to the track and builds up well to the final choruses.

From first listen, “Heather Lou” impressed and captivated me from start to finish. The song as a whole is an unforgettable track and a fantastic single from the band.

-Meg - Live A Little Bit Louder

American alternative musician Del Pelson turns heartbreak into hope with new track Wide World.

He’s a little bit country, he’s a little bit rock’n’roll, and he’s a little bit reggae in Wide World. There’s also a little bit of a The Hold Steady feel going on, meaning this track is really difficult to pigeon-hole. That’s a good thing. Who cares what the genre is when a track is simply as enjoyable as this.

In Wide World Del Pelson honestly tells the story of the ups and downs of love and we’re right there with him. It’s a taster of his upcoming sophomore EP and you can give it listen below.


-Graeme Smith - York Calling

...Also on board is Del Pelson, an art-rock outfit from the wilds of Boca Raton that would not be out of place touring with a band like Beirut.

-Tim Moffatt - Pure Honey

US outfit take their cues from Bombay Bicycle Club on this uplifting indie-pop release - Mystic Sons

Florida’s indie-pop/alt rock outfit Del Pelson provide a fantastically infectious single and accompanying music video titled “Heather Lou” today!

Upbeat, anthemic indie-pop tune explores the struggle of trying to help a loved one in hard times

“Heather Lou” premiered on Music Existence

BOCA RATON, FL | March 29, 2019 – Indie alt-pop/rock band Del Pelson dropped a new single and accompanying music video for “Heather Lou” today. An infectiously catchy tune blends bright indie-pop melodies, driving bass-lines, and energizing beats, for a dip into anthemic summer hit territory. While the melody provides an upbeat, care-free track, the lyrics reveal a more difficult story, of watching a loved one struggle, and feeling at a loss for how to help.

Vocalist and guitarist Cal Nelson shared, “The song is about seeing your partner become distant or depressed, and wondering what the cause could be and if there is anything you can do to help. It leads to an internal battle, with the idea that maybe the best help I can be is to set you free from me.” It’s an intimately personal and difficult conversation, when depression and mental health issues cause their own sources of divide and emotional separation.

With introspective reflection, the lyrics portray one’s inert need for shared love and support, even when a loved one is suffering. “I cannot let you fall by the wayside / Darling, I really need you on my side / If you turn dark blue, I cannot get you.” While they don’t claim to have the answer, Del Pelson lead the gateway for an important conversation between couples, of how to support and uplift one another, even in hard times.

The band shared that they have been performing the song live since last summer, using feedback from the crowd to fine-tune the track before heading into the studio. “We had a lot of fun with it in the recording studio because we knew exactly what we wanted and were able to knock it out in a single day,” said Nelson. “We even have Heather Lou singing the high part in the last chorus!”

Del Pelson also released an accompanying music video for the single, which premiered via Music Existence. Depicting Nelson as a ‘therapist’ to Heather Lou, the band performs, while he tries to decipher how he can help her out of her sadness and depression. With a white backdrop and colorful clothing, the characters’ and members’ performances pop on screen. “The blue/yellow contrast between Heather and Cal is very important symbolically throughout the song and visually aligns the two characters with the lyrics.”

“Heather Lou” comes as the first new release since Del Pelson’s EP Wide World, released last May. The band is planning to release a series of upcoming singles over the following weeks. Based in southeastern Florida, they’ve been actively building a name for themselves with regular shows, including performing at 2016’s UndertowJam, and opening for national acts including Kurt Travis and Brent Walsh. “Heather Lou” is out now and available on all major digital retailers, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp.


FOLLOW DEL PELSON
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Spotify | Bandcamp | Youtube | Website

UPCOMING SHOWS
4/3 Bayside Miami – Miami, FL
4/13 Bouganvillea’s – Miami, FL
4/19 Robot Brewing – Boca Raton, FL
4/26 Dada – Delray Beach, FL
4/30 Boynton Beach Film Festival

Photo by J. Williams

ABOUT DEL PELSON

A little bit pop, a little bit indie/alternative rock, Del Pelson’s catchy style can’t be pigeon-holed. The band’s sound is somehow both laid back and energetic, thanks to the diverse personalities and styles of its four members. Front man Cal Nelson is a rare songwriting talent with innate creativity and a unique way of seeing and hearing the world; Garrett Kealer’s drumming ranges with incredible subtleness to virtuosic grooves; Nathaniel Spiner brings melodic yet driving bass lines to the frontline, and Patrick Montanari acts as the band’s secret weapon with impressive saxophone skills, foundational keyboard layers, ands lick guitar leads. Together, Del Pelson breaks age and gender barriers with its catchy indie-pop melodies and powerful alternative rockbeats, exploring love, life, and irony with musical undercurrents of jazz, blues, roots, folk, reggae, and surf. With two EP’s under their belt, Del Pelson is gearing up for the release of a series of new singles in early 2019.

The band is well known for their live chemistry and their obvious enjoyment is infectious. Del Pelson performed in the 2016 UndertowJam, featuring Young the Giant and Bear Hands. They have since opened for other national acts including Kurt Travis, Brent Walsh, and more. Formed in 2015, Del Pelson has since been featured in 104.3 The Shark’s Open Swim Podcast Series with Erin Lee, Miami New Times, PureHoney Magazine, Soundbite Magazine, York Calling, Mystic Sons, and more.

“…an art-rock outfit from the wilds of Boca Raton that would not be out of place touring with a band like Beirut.” – Tim Moffatt, Pure Honey Magazine

“US outfit take their cues from Bombay Bicycle Club on this uplifting indie-pop release” – Chris Bound, Mystic Sons

“… sounding like a mixture of 80s and 2000s indie, with a good dollop of brit-pop and alternative rock thrown into the mix.” – Jane Howkins, York Calling

“Wide World EP is perhaps South Florida’s catchiest summer anthem of 2018″ – Jessica Gibbs, Miami New Times


-Steven Janes - With Guitars

US frontman takes his cues from Darwin Deez for this light and fresh indie-pop delight - Mystic Songs

If you’re looking for your next favorite band, look no further, because Florida band Del Pelson is more than ready to take on that title.

After the release of their newest single and music video "Heather Lou" they have been on a rapid rise in streams and views as well as fans. Even though the band has been busy with this release and touring their home state, I got to catch up with lead vocalist/guitarist Cal Nelson to talk about their growing career, future aspirations, and much more.


Tell us about yourselves! How, when, and where did you start this amazing project?

Cal Nelson - Thanks for having us! We are Del Pelson and we like to party! All four of us met through Florida Atlantic University’s Commercial Music program. Garrett, Nat, and I started Del Pelson as a trio in 2015 before picking up Patrick along the way.


With the new songs Heather Lou and Traffic, you touch upon some hard topics like mental health, is it hard to write about something so influential?

Cal N - For me, it really wasn’t hard to write any of these songs because it was just what was on my mind at the time. What is hard about these song topics is performing live and presenting our music to people that are maybe out to have fun while here we are talking about some serious issues. It can be even harder to present my music to the people I know and love, though, because a lot of it is so personal. It’s always worth it, though.


This year you guys have been playing a lot more shows, which is great! What has been your favorite show so far and what is your dream show?

Cal N - We just played at the Mizner Park Amphitheater, which was an awesome experience and a killer stage to play on. Some of our other favorite local venues are Bougainvillea’s in Miami and Robot Brewing in Boca Raton. We would love to one-day play on a major festival stage like Bonnaroo or Lollapalooza.


On your Instagram, you teased about being in the studio. Obviously you just put two new singles out but should we expect more in the near future? If so can we have some hints about the new music?

Cal N - Yes! We have a couple songs that are nearing the end of production and we love them. If you’ve seen us live in the last few months, then you may have already heard some of our newer songs. But we have one we submitted for NPR’s Tiny Desk on our YouTube page, which is actually a sequel to one of our most popular songs, “Fever.” This one is called “Colder.” It has a super indie vibe with a dope guitar riff and a crazy-catchy drum groove. We are also working on one called “Lately,” which is more of a straightforward – almost pop – tune, and it absolutely bops! We have another one that is not quite as far along which has more of an acoustic feel, called “Killing Man.” Again, you might have already heard it at one of our shows or maybe a small snippet of it on our Instagram.


Heather Lou had such a fun looking music video. How was the process of recording it? How did the concept come about?

Cal N - “Heather Lou” was a lot of fun to shoot! Obviously, the colors had to be at least somewhat symbolic for that video and we knew we wanted to do a white room just because it looks so crisp. The therapist/couch idea was given to us by a good buddy, and we took that and ran with it.


Some people compare your music to the likes of Arctic Monkeys and Two Door Cinema Club, but how would you describe your sound?

Cal N - This is an area I always struggle with, I’m sure it’s easier to see from the outside looking in. We’re not quite power pop but we also fall somewhere between indie and alternative rock – I’ll happily take the comparison between Arctic Monkeys and Two Door Cinema Club. For the older folks, we might mention Weezer or The Strokes.


When people hear the name Del Pelson, what do you want them to think?

Cal N - Are you my college business professor? I want people to think of the first time they heard their favorite Del Pelson song or where they were the first time they saw us perform.


If you could pitch your band in one sentence, what would it be?

Cal N - It’s a combination of beautifully crafted songs tied together by riffing guitars, lush keyboards, and a driving rhythm section that makes Del Pelson somehow reminiscent of your favorite bands but still something completely new.


At the end of 2019, where do you hope the band will be?

Cal N - We hope to have released some people’s very favorite songs.


Lastly, do you have anything you would like to share with the readers of For Hits and Gigs and the fans that could be reading this?

Cal N - We have some new merchandise and new music coming out very soon, so keep an eye on our socials and feel free to reach out and say hi!

-----

With the promise of new music, merch and touring we definitely recommend keeping a close eye on Del Pelson. The future for this Florida band seems so bright so, while you wait for their new stuff, make sure to stream "Heather Lou" and "Traffic" as they are truly summer jams. - For Hits and Gigs

Del Pelson have released another new single, titled “Oak.”
Hard hitting drums and guitars open the song during the intro, while the verses are softer and contrast quite a bit, letting the vocals take the spotlight for awhile. The instrumentals show off more once again during the pre-chorus, leading up to the chorus. Something I really enjoyed about the previous track was the melodies, and the melodies on this one are pretty good as well, especially during that chorus.

“Oak” is yet another great track for Del Pelson. With the catchy melodies and instrumentals and upbeat energy, the track is another memorable one in the band’s discography.


-Meg - Live a Little Bit Louder

I Will Be Yours is a new track from four piece alternative rock band Del Pelson, who originally hail from South Florida, which is surprising as the band’s music seems to have a British sound to it.

This isn’t a criticism though, with the band’s music sounding like a mixture of 80s and 2000s indie, with a good dollop of britpop and alternative rock thrown into the mix. It sounds really good, and it also helps that I Will Be Yours is also an incredibly catchy track, which will get stuck in your head very fast.

Take a listen to the song below and see if you find it as addictive as we do


-Jane Howkins - York Calling

Florida indie-pop/alt-rock band, Del Pelson have had a busy last couple of months. They released three singles into this world that were all really great. Definitely take a listen to ‘Heather Lou’, ‘Oak’ and ‘Traffic’ if you haven’t already. But for now, we got together with Del Pelson’s vocalist, Cal Nelson, to get to know the band a little bit.

1. How did you all meet and decide to form a band?
Garrett and I met through a college jazz quintet. I had a lot of songs I had written and was starting to record them when I asked him to play drums for the recording of ‘Spread Too Thin.‘ He really enjoyed the song and wanted to hear more. He invited Nat to jam with us, thus the initial trio was born. I met Pat through a different college jazz band and we asked him to join about a year later.

2. What was it like finding your sound? Was it a series of trial and error or did you find it pretty quickly?
We are still developing our sound, but initially, it came together really easily because I already had original songs to work on and we were pretty much limited to the three instruments we could play live – though Nat did end up playing trumpet on the recording of ‘Spread Too Thin.’ Since then, though, we have experimented a little bit more with adding guitar layers, lots of different keyboard instruments, and some other miscellaneous instruments.

3. Speaking of sound, how would you personally describe it? Does it differ from how others describe it?
I’ve said before, I think it’s easier to see from the outside looking in. We fall somewhere between indie and alternative rock with slight leanings towards pop. Honestly, I think it’s kind of fun to hear how other people describe our sound. We’ve been compared to Vampire Weekend, Weezer, Two Door Cinema Club, The Strokes, Bombay Bicycle Club, Beirut, Arctic Monkeys, Death Cab for Cutie, and even Chet Baker. Also, for some reason, a lot of people think we sound like an English band – hey, I’ll take it.

4. What is your typical songwriting process? Does one person generally take the lead or is it collaborative?
I generally do the bulk of the songwriting and then I’ll bring it to the band. Sometimes I’ll have specific parts in mind, but usually, I try to give everybody some freedom to write their own parts and express their creative minds to better the song.

5. Most essential album for a tour/road trip?
That’s a tough one – I don’t think the four of us could agree on only one album anyway, so I’m going behind their backs to say The Beatle’s Rubber Soul.

6. If you could pick only one of your bandmates to be stuck on a deserted island with, who would you pick?
Dang son, why you doin’ this to me?! I’ll say Patrick, because he would probably be the most optimistic about being stranded on a desert island. It would also be kind of funny to watch him get so sunburnt again.

7. Craziest concert or touring story?
One time we played a show on Nat’s birthday, so we made an announcement saying it was his birthday and that any women interested in sleeping with him should form a line to the side of the stage. Well, I guess he messed up during one or two of the songs because somebody actually came up to him after the show – presumably to flirt with him – but he was so wrapped up in how poorly he thought he had played that he completely brushed this poor girl off.

8. What is the most important thing you want people to know about you?
We are Del Pelson and we like to party! For real, though, we write music that we want to listen to. If you like our music, then feel invited to reach out to us through Insta to say ‘what’s up’ – we love talking to like-minded people.

Catch Del Pelson at their upcoming shows this summer:
7/6 Grandview Public Market – West Palm Beach, FL
8/7 Bayside Marketplace – Miami, FL
8/17 Bougainvillea’s – South Miami, FL - How Lucky

A little bit pop, a little bit indie/alternative rock, Del Pelson’s catchy style can’t be pigeon-holed. The band’s sound is somehow both laid back and energetic, thanks to the diverse personalities and styles of its four members.


Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Cal Nelson – lead vocals/guitar
Garrett Kealer – drums/backing vox
Patrick Montanari – keyboard/saxophone/guitar/backing vox
Nathaniel Spiner – bass/backing vox


For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Del Pelson? How long has the band been around?

Del Pelson has been kicking since January of 2015. The group pulled all-star members, Garrett Kealer and Nathaniel Spiner, from former rock band Faku. Cal Nelson was formerly a member of Utahn punk group The Immatures. Patrick Montanari is the founder of local piano-rock group Monty, which Cal has since joined. Cal and Pat also play in reggae-rock group Fireside Prophets.


What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

In the last days of the USSR, there was an American spy that went by the name Del Pelson. That man’s real first name was Cal, so upon banding up with Cal Nelson, Garrett and Nat petitioned for the band to honor that mostly-unknown man’s life and service by naming the band after him.


Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

Cal Nelson holds the title of Chief Songwriter within the band. Topics and perspectives range wildly, but some song topics include love or lack-of, hope, friendship/relationships, historical subjects, substance abuse or sobriety, food, and plenty more. The group purposefully writes about a large range of topics to keep the creativity flowing as much as possible.


What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

Each member of Del Pelson listens to vastly different music on a daily basis. When the group gets together, this huge range of inspiration becomes apparent.


Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

Garrett and Cal met through a college jazz quintet. Performing with that group revealed the two shared a close musical understanding, which led to the addition of Nat and Pat in a rock setting.


What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect...

We don’t have much of a pre-show ritual. We usually spend the time setting up and getting any drinks – we might discuss the set list or if there is anything special we can do at that particular show to set it apart from any other shows we play. We used to do pre-show parking lot kung fu, but Garrett had to sit out at one show after Cal whooped him – so we stopped that.


What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

We’ve played a lot of great shows but I would single out the New Years Eve show we did most recently. It was just a lot of fun to get our favorite bands on the same bill at our favorite local venue. We had so many friends, family, and fans come out to support and party with us. It was a bit surreal when we were onstage at midnight to realize how many people decided that seeing us perform was the best way to end/start the year.


If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

Now that is an unfair question! There are just too many really superb bands to be able to just pick one or two.


Is there anything else you would like to add?

Listen to our new single, “Traffic,” now! - Kill The Music

Florida's indie-pop/alt-rock band Del Pelson released a new single today, titled "Oak". A bright, upbeat and happy-sounding song reveals a heart-breaking story hidden within the lyrics, coming as a cautionary tale to the dangers of drinking and driving. While incredibly catchy, the track becomes an intense and personal revelation of sadness building into a powerfully moving and intimate single.

"Part of the story here is that even though death can be tragic when it happens and you might think you’ll never move on, life tends to carry on anyway and things will get better – and you can move on," shared guitarist/vocalist Cal Nelson. "The protagonist in this story actually feels guilty for how easily he can move on with his life after some time has passed, and how the woman he accidentally killed will never experience a lot of the things that he gets to experience."

The band took the narrative story inspiration from Wayne Cochran’s/Pearl Jam’s “Last Kiss" which shares a similar tale of a car crash and sudden loss. Bands such as Vampire Weekend and afro-pop sounds provided direct inspiration for the groovy, hook-ladened melody. "Oak" premiered on Everything Is Noise, who noted, "The deep and vivid lyrics are only amplified by the driving beat and subtle melody behind them," with the bridge providing a "shining point in the song."

"While much of the song is about moving on, part of the story is that drunk driving is an unforgivable crime – especially by the mother of the daughter who is killed," said Nelson. "Driving drunk is such an easily avoidable act, yet the story of someone getting killed by a drunk driver is such a terrible cliché." The vocals take a forward-leaning role in the track without over-production, encouraging listeners to listen close to the moving message.


"Oak" comes as Del Pelson's second single this spring, following their track "Heather Lou" released last month. They celebrate the new release tonight with a show at Robot Brewing in Boca Raton, and a number of upcoming shows throughout Florida; Del Pelson has opened for national acts including Kurt Travis and Brent Walsh, and performed at 2016's UndertowJam. "Oak" is out everywhere today including Spotify, Apple Music, and Google Play.

UPCOMING DATES:
4/19 Robot Brewing - Boca Raton, FL
4/26 Dada - Delray Beach, FL
4/30 Boynton Beach Film Festival
6/5 Bayside Marketplace - Miami, FL
7/6 Grandview Public Market - West Palm Beach, FL
8/7 Bayside Marketplace - Miami, FL


-Adam Bailey - Music Talkers

>> For those of you who are fans of Two Door Cinema Club, The Struts, and Cage the Elephant, you most certainly should check out Del Pelson. This four-piece indie alternative pop band from Boca Raton, Florida is putting out some solid tunes! Check out our interview below with Cal Nelson (vocalist/guitarist) and Garrett Kealer (drummer/vocalist) where we talked about their unique sound, inspirations, and how they chill on a steamy hot day!


What makes the sound of Del Pelson unique, and how does your sound differentiate from other indie acts going on right now?

Cal Nelson and Garrett Kealer: The melding of crafty lyrics, indie arrangements, and pop song form makes our music universal yet unique. The complex yet straightforward ways our instrumental parts weave in and out of one another form an exciting foundation for a vocal delivery that rides a fine line between crooning and full on belting.


How does Del Pelson work as a band to break typical age and gender barriers present in the music scene?

Cal Nelson and Garrett Kealer: As songwriters, we often try to put ourselves in other people’s shoes. We want our music to serve people of all backgrounds and to connect on a person-to-person level, regardless of age, gender, race, etc.


If you could have written any song over the past one hundred years, which song would it be and why?

Cal Nelson: Man, that is a really tough one. I think I’ll break the rules and say “After You’ve Gone” (technically 101 years old). The first time I heard this tune was a long time ago and it was the Louis Armstrong version. Over the years, I’ve listened to a ton of versions (Django Reinhardt, Marion Harris, Dina Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, etc.). It’s a truly beautiful melody with some really interesting yet appropriate chord changes and the lyrics just get me every time. There are some really great versions of the song out there but there’s just something about it that makes it really hard to truly be pinned down by one artist.


What do you feel most inspired by in daily life? What do you do when you're feeling uninspired to pep yourself up?

Cal Nelson: I feel most inspired when I am academically, spiritually, and creatively stimulated. Inspiration can come in many forms but the only way to creatively write is to live a full and varied life. Lyrics and melody are collaged from thousands of inputs, whether it be exercising, camping, working, performing, jamming, drinking, loving, crying, reading, listening – everything is inspired by something different so it’s impossible to nail down a single inspiration. If I’m feeling uninspired, I find something new to try – whether it’s a new instrument, a new sport, an album I’ve never heard, or a movie I’ve never seen.


How would you describe the music scene in Florida?

Garrett Kealer: Eclectic and welcoming. There’s a place for everyone to express themselves here.


Do you feel that your hometowns have shaped the sound of your music? And if so, in what ways?

Garrett Kealer: Absolutely. Our hometowns are the hub of our life experiences and lessons which have all undoubtedly seeped into and shaped our music.


What are your favorite ways to cool down on a hot day?

Cal Nelson: Well ol’ sport, we hit the beach with tacos and ice cream, of course!


Are there any songs that you could go without ever hearing again?

Garrett Kealer: While we may not enjoy every song we hear, we generally respect and appreciate the expression of all artists.


What can fans be expecting to hear from you in the near future?

Garrett Kealer: We’ve got plenty of new songs coming your way, plus a new series of content that’s unlike anything we’ve seen before! <<


Listen to Del Pelson HERE!


-Emmarae Stein - Floated Magazine

Del Pelson presents us with a new song.

Alternative rock band Del Pelson released a new single and a music video for the song " Heather Lou ." A contagious and catchy tune combines brilliant indie-pop tunes, between bass lines and energizing rhythms, to plunge into a territory worthy of a summer that is coming soon. While the melody provides an upbeat and carefree song, the lyrics reveal a more difficult story, seeing a loved one struggling and feeling lost in how to help.

Lead vocalist and guitarist Cal Nelson shared: " The song is about seeing your partner distant or depressed, and asking what could be the cause and if there is anything you can do to help. It leads to an internal battle, with the idea that maybe the best help I can give you is to free it from me. "It is an intimately personal and difficult conversation, when depression and mental health problems cause their own sources of division and separation. emotional . "


(TRANSLATED; originally Spanish, via Google) - Indscene

Florida’s indie-pop/alt-rock band Del Pelson released a new single today, titled “Oak”. A bright, upbeat and happy-sounding song reveals a heart-breaking story hidden within the lyrics, coming as a cautionary tale to the dangers of drinking and driving. While incredibly catchy, the track becomes an intense and personal revelation of sadness building into a powerfully moving and intimate single. - Skope Magazine

FL indie-pop band deliver another infectious single, with an underlying important message premiered on Substream Magazine
BOCA RATON, FL | May 10, 2019 – Hot on the heels of their last two singles, Florida’s indie-pop band Del Pelson share another stunning and immersive track titled “Traffic” today. Gorgeously rich, dreamy guitar melodies, and layered harmonics introduce the track, cresting into an upbeat and groovy single, perfect for the coming summer months. A bright, care-free melody gives way to sobering lyrics that introduce the difficult subject of addiction.

As with their previous tracks, a closer listen to the lyrics gives way to a serious message. “Traffic empathetically looks at how substances can be appealing at first, but a delirious realization reveals how abuse and addiction can derail a life. To put it simply, Traffic is about alcoholism,” shared vocalist Cal Nelson. “There was a point in college when I realized I was drinking more often than what would be sustainable lifestyle, but that short time in my life gave me a glimpse into how somebody might fall into a cycle of addiction.”

The lyrics reveal the dark spiral of addiction, with various examples of a life slowly becoming unraveled. “Cause I’ve been walking out in to traffic, and eating breakfast for dinner when it’s lunchtime / Picking up the bottle from the floor, you know.” Layers of lucid guitar, cerebral synthesizers and persuasive percussion blend for a dreamy yet hook-laden melody.

As Substream Magazine, who premiered the single, said, ” An upbeat or a catchy song can help give new perspective on an issue or introduce it to an entirely new crowd,” creating awareness, conversation, and most importantly, potential change for listeners to recognize and address unhealthy habits. The outlet noted how the track “does an amazing job of providing a downright charming sound to background the difficult truths” that are revealed.

“Traffic”, as well as previous singles “Heather Lou” and “Oak” are out everywhere today including Spotify, Bandcamp, and Apple Music. With a series of infectious summer anthems, their music comes not only to entertain, but also to share important reflections of the world. Del Pelson has a number of upcoming shows across southern Florida, with more to be announced over the summer. - Volatile Weekly

Hi guys, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?

Thanks for having us – life is groovy!


Can you talk to us more about your latest single “Traffic”?

Traffic is a really vibin’ tune, it’s our latest take on what we think modern rock and roll should sound like. The lyrics aren’t exactly uplifting but the music is really slick and has a strong pulse to it. The bass and drums make a strong rhythmic foundation to pile on loads of guitars and keyboard counter-melodies, all in support of the vocal melody and harmonies.


Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song?

There wasn’t one particular event that inspired this song but rather a period of maybe six months while I was in college that I was drinking most days, and I realized that would not be sustainable. So I decided to be more conscious about how often and how much I was drinking before it could ever become a problem. That is basically what this song is about – resisting that temptation.


Any plans to release a video for the single?

We currently have no plans to release a music video for this single, but we did release one for our single “Heather Lou” earlier this spring – https://youtu.be/UVyhL5khPzQ


How was the recording and writing process?

Traffic and Oak are actually very much unlike many of my other songs in that I wrote multiple versions, fully hashed out, with different lyrical themes. For Traffic, I actually combined my favorite pieces from the two different versions, so it is kind of a collage of the same song in a way. I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted arrangement-wise, so over the course of a few sessions, we just kind of banged it out – the other guys helped me fill in some gaps; for example, Patrick wrote the keyboard lead part in the post chorus and the cut going into the second verse was one of the other guys’ ideas, as well.

For Oak, I think I came up with the bass line first and wrote the whole song around that. I actually wrote two full versions of the song with some more light-hearted lyrics, but it just didn’t feel meaningful to me. Eventually, the story of losing a friend in a car accident felt more fitting – that was the third full version. Once again I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted the arrangement to be, but the other guys’ ideas really pulled the whole thing together. That one was fun putting the instrumental section together in the recording studio – we played pots and pans, a cuica, a container of oatmeal, and a bunch of other unusual instruments. My favorite part, though, is the [very quiet] eight-voice recorder ensemble I played in the final chorus – yes, recorder, like the thing you played in first grade!

The writing of Heather Lou was a little more typical. My fiancé, Heather Louise, kept bugging me for like two weeks telling me that I should write a song with the lyrics “Heather Lou, why you feeling blue;” so eventually I did. And it just came to me, the lyrics and chords took maybe thirty minutes once I figured out that initial chord progression. We knocked that one out in one long studio session, which was an awesome experience after the last EP – when each song was split in to about ten studio sessions.


What role does Florida play in your music?

Playing locally has definitely influenced our music. We are always trying to write songs that we think will grip and excite the audience right in front of us. It can also be inspiring to hear the music of some of the other great regional bands. The people down here are really great, too. We always love meeting and talking to people that enjoy our music.


What made you want to touch on these dark themes?

I really just didn’t want to write a downer of a song, but I still wanted to express my thoughts at the time. So I disguised some of those more serious lyrics by putting them on top of a boppin’ song.


How did you get to balance the dark aspects with the much brighter tones?

Man, these are tough questions. I wrote this song in August and September of 2016, so the song should really stand for itself. But the song isn’t really about hitting rock bottom – yet, anyway. It’s about realizing that I wasn’t where I wanted to be, but at that moment I had the power to choose my path. The music is really representing the optimism and empowerment of that idea, instead of accenting the negativity of the current situation.


Does the new single mean we can expect a new material – how’s that coming along?

Yes! We have a few new recordings in the works – we haven’t discussed any release dates yet, but I suspect we can get a few new singles out over the course of this fall and winter.


Any plans to hit the road?

We don’t have any major tours planned, but we will be heading up to North Florida at the end of July. We also are hitting the road in a YouTube series we are tentatively calling the Van Jam. We just shot the first installment today, though, so I’m not yet sure when that will be ready to air.


What else is happening next in Del Pelson’s world?

We just ordered a new batch of shirts, so those should be available in blue, pink, and white on our website and at our concerts in about two weeks. In the meantime, we will be working on those new singles. - Vents Magazine

Hot on the heels of their last two singles, Florida's indie-pop band Del Pelson share another stunning and immersive track titled "Traffic" today. Gorgeously rich, dreamy guitar melodies, and layered harmonics introduce the track, cresting into an upbeat and groovy single, perfect for the coming summer months. A bright, care-free melody gives way to sobering lyrics that introduce the difficult subject of addiction.

As with their previous tracks, a closer listen to the lyrics gives way to a serious message. "Traffic empathetically looks at how substances can be appealing at first, but a delirious realization reveals how abuse and addiction can derail a life. To put it simply, Traffic is about alcoholism," shared vocalist Cal Nelson. "There was a point in college when I realized I was drinking more often than what would be sustainable lifestyle, but that short time in my life gave me a glimpse into how somebody might fall into a cycle of addiction."

The lyrics reveal the dark spiral of addiction, with various examples of a life slowly becoming unraveled. "Cause I've been walking out in to traffic, and eating breakfast for dinner when it's lunchtime / Picking up the bottle from the floor, you know." Layers of lucid guitar, cerebral synthesizers and persuasive percussion blend for a dreamy yet hook-laden melody.

As Substream Magazine, who premiered the single, said, " An upbeat or a catchy song can help give new perspective on an issue or introduce it to an entirely new crowd," creating awareness, conversation, and most importantly, potential change for listeners to recognize and address unhealthy habits. The outlet noted how the track "does an amazing job of providing a downright charming sound to background the difficult truths" that are revealed.

"Traffic", as well as previous singles "Heather Lou" and "Oak" are out everywhere today including Spotify, Bandcamp, and Apple Music. With a series of infectious summer anthems, their music comes not only to entertain, but also to share important reflections of the world. Del Pelson has a number of upcoming shows across southern Florida, with more to be announced over the summer.

UPCOMING SHOWS:
5/14 at Voltaire in West Palm Beach, FL
5/30 at Propaganda in Lake Worth, FL
6/1 at Bougainvilleas in Miami, FL
7/6 Grandview Public Market - West Palm Beach, FL
8/7 Bayside Marketplace - Miami, FL - MNSTRM

Del Pelson discuss the formation of the band, their recent single “Oak”, their songwriting process, and what’s next for them

Interview by Emily May

Florida-based indie-pop band Del Pelson has been garnering a buzz and an ever-growing fanbase with their live chemistry and a sound that is simultaneously laid back and energetic. Formed in 2015, the band currently consists of Cal Nelson (vocals/guitar), Garrett Kealer (drums/vocals), Nathaniel Spiner (bass/vocals) and Patrick Montanari (keys/vocals/sax). The band blends catchy indie rock melodies with powerful alternative beats with undercurrents of jazz, folk, blues, roots, reggae and surf rock.
Having released 2 EPs, the band has released a series of singles this year with plans to release more. Fresh of the heels of the March 29th release of “Heather Lou” and the April 19th release of “Oak”, the band has just released their latest single “Traffic”. The song tackles the subject of alcoholism and how easy it can be for some people to fall into a cycle of addiction. The band has performed at the 2016 UndertowJam with Young The Giant and Bear Hands and have opened for other national acts such as Kurt Travis, Brent Walsh. With plans to release more singles and play several shows this year, the band has plenty to keep them busy! You can follow Del Pelson and stay up-to-date on all upcoming music and tour dates, as well as stream and purchase their music via the following links. Check out their recent singles “Oak” and “Traffic” below.


Cal- You, Garrett and Nathaniel formed Del Pelson in 2015 after meeting at FAU. What led you guys to form the band and what were those early days of the band like? How did the addition of Patrick Montanari, whom you have described as your “secret weapon”, help you to grow your sound as a band?

Cal: I have always loved writing songs, so I basically had a catalogue of stuff I wanted to record. I had met Garrett through the school jazz quintet so I asked if he’d be willing to lay down some drums for “Spread Too Thin.” After hearing the song, he asked me to play some of my other songs – so it was actually his idea to form a fully fledged band and he introduced me to our bassist, Nat. The first year we were together consisted mainly of us practicing and putting together a full set list of original songs, as well as jamming some covers we liked – all while starting the recording process, which eventually warped into our first EP. Patrick has really helped us fill in the gaps with keyboards, guitar, and harmonies. We also hand him the spotlight in some songs and he dives into the crowd to rip it up with his saxophone.


You just released your new single “Oak”! What can you tell me about the inspiration behind the song?

Cal: The main inspiration for this song was a friend of mine who passed away in high school. He was sober as far as I know, but he was irresponsibly speeding through a neighborhood when he flipped his car and rolled into a tree. It was really tragic. Years later, I replaced some facts of the story while retaining my emotional response to that period of time.


You had a second guitarist at one point who has since departed the band. What was it like for the band to go from 5 to 4 members? Do you feel that altered your sound or dynamic in a significant way?

Garret, Cal & Pat: The biggest change was in the live performance – luckily Pat had already started learning guitar because now he covers some of the lead and rhythm guitar parts that Doug used to play. Losing a member definitely altered our sound, though. In the studio, there was another creative mind adding his personality and opinion to the arrangements.


Cal- As the main songwriter for the band, what is your songwriting process like and what inspires/influences your lyrics? Do you ever collaborate with the other members when songwriting?

The hardest part to writing a song is always finding a starting point. Sometimes I first come up with a subject matter, but mostly I just kind of noodle around until I find a cool melody, rhythm, or chord progression and I just try to find what words, etc., want to fit with that. Nothing in particular really inspires my lyrics because everything does. It depends where I happen to be in that moment in time in my life – maybe I just spent the day on the beach with my fiancé, maybe I’ve been reading Murder On The Orient Express, maybe I’ve been feeling downtrodden… I find that my subconscious mind often reveals itself as a better lyricist than my conscious efforts. Whatever is happening at the time in my life often floats to the surface through my lyrics – although some times I do enjoy writing songs as an author of fiction, too. Only rarely do I collaborate lyrically with others, but the band often collaborates on the arrangements of the songs. Some of our songs have grown out of improvised jams and a couple others have been planted in my head as song titles, which I later fleshed out in private.


Did you all grow up in musical and creative households? Was there a particular moment when you were kids that fueled your desire to pursue music as adults?

Cal, Garrett, Nat, and Pat: None of us grew up in very musical households, but all of our parents were very supportive of us learning and pursuing music. Garrett can point to a moment when he was practicing “Bulls On Parade” in middle school band when he decided he wanted to pursue music. Patrick was enamored with a beat-up old organ as a young child and never allowed himself to fully imagine himself on a different career path. Cal credits the Jack Black movie School of Rock for inspiring him to learn bass and then eventually guitar. Nat recalls listening to music for the first time on a pair of headphones and being mystified at how stereo sound worked. Since then, he has spent much of his life learning more about the production of music in stereo.


You have said that with the technical availability these days, more people have the capability to perform and/or record music and distribute it. In what ways do you try to stand out as a band and get your name and music out there? What is your approach to social media as a band and your thoughts on the connection between it and music currently.

Cal and Garrett: We let our music speak for itself. Live performance is one of our strong suits and we are always gigging in the South Florida circuit. Social media is a necessity for promotion but it also gives us a chance to interact with fans as normal people, who we probably would have never met otherwise, or to just keep up with fans on a personal and friendly level. Some people are definitely better about posting than we are, but we try to show who we truly are and only post quality content.


You have said, with regards to your previous single “Heather Lou”, that you had been performing the song live since last summer, using crowd feedback to fine-tune it. Do you take that approach with most of your music or just certain songs?

Cal and Garrett: We use the crowd to gauge interest in our new songs. At the end of the day, we write and perform what we want to hear and hopefully we reach people with similar tastes.


Patrick, Cal and Garrett- The three of you also perform in the Florida reggae rock band Fireside Prophets. Is it challenging to split your time between the two bands? Do you feel that Del Pelson helps to satisfy your other musical interests?

Cal: It can be challenging to split time between bands, especially when trying to book gigs. We have a system, though: what ever gig is booked first is the one that gets played. The two groups are pretty different in terms of genre, though, so it can be a fun change of pace. I also play bass in Fireside instead of guitar and Garrett is not an official member of Fireside but only a substitute drummer when needed.


You are planning to release a series of singles over the coming weeks. What led to that decision? With two EPs and 2 singles released (with more singles on the way), do you have plans to record another EP or a full-length album?

Cal: We got frustrated with how much time passed between releases, so we decided we would rather release less music more often. I think we will continue doing singles for the time being but maybe revert back to EP’s or LP’s if it strikes us.


What’s next for the band?

The next single, “Traffic”, is out May 10th! After that, we will take a short while to finish up our next few singles, and have a bunch of upcoming shows.

5/30 at Propaganda in Lake Worth, FL
6/1 at Bougainvilleas in Miami, FL
6/5 Bayside Marketplace – Miami, FL
7/6 Grandview Public Market – West Palm Beach, FL
8/7 Bayside Marketplace – Miami, FL - Rock All Photography

Heather Lou is a new track from American musician Del Person, and we simply can’t stop listening to it!

There’s an incredibly addictive nature to this song – probably something to do with the catchy chord progression used that is somewhat reminiscent of the melodies used by a lot of the old rock ‘n’ roll stars. This indie pop song has a certain groove to it, and if you don’t want to dance whilst listening to it then there might be something wrong with you! Check it out below:


-Jane Howkins - York Calling

Del Pelson dive deep with a catchy yet immersive single “Traffic”

FL indie-pop band deliver another infectious single, with an underlying important message

Boca Raton, FL – Hot on the heels of their last two singles, Florida’s indie-pop band Del Pelson share another stunning and immersive track titled “Traffic” today. Gorgeously rich, dreamy guitar melodies, and layered harmonics introduce the track, cresting into an upbeat and groovy single, perfect for the coming summer months. A bright, care-free melody gives way to sobering lyrics that introduce the difficult subject of addiction.

As with their previous tracks, a closer listen to the lyrics gives way to a serious message. “Traffic empathetically looks at how substances can be appealing at first, but a delirious realization reveals how abuse and addiction can derail a life. To put it simply, Traffic is about alcoholism,” shared vocalist Cal Nelson. “There was a point in college when I realized I was drinking more often than what would be sustainable lifestyle, but that short time in my life gave me a glimpse into how somebody might fall into a cycle of addiction.”

The lyrics reveal the dark spiral of addiction, with various examples of a life slowly becoming unraveled. “Cause I’ve been walking out in to traffic, and eating breakfast for dinner when it’s lunchtime / Picking up the bottle from the floor, you know.” Layers of lucid guitar, cerebral synthesizers and persuasive percussion blend for a dreamy yet hook-laden melody.

As Substream Magazine, who premiered the single, said, “An upbeat or a catchy song can help give new perspective on an issue or introduce it to an entirely new crowd,” creating awareness, conversation, and most importantly, potential change for listeners to recognize and address unhealthy habits. The outlet noted how the track “does an amazing job of providing a downright charming sound to background the difficult truths” that are revealed.

“Traffic”, as well as previous singles “Heather Lou” and “Oak” are out everywhere today including Spotify, Bandcamp, and Apple Music. With a series of infectious summer anthems, their music comes not only to entertain, but also to share important reflections of the world. Del Pelson has a number of upcoming shows across southern Florida, with more to be announced over the summer. - Brash Blog

"Take me to the water, in your new rover / I'll grab the surfboard and invite some friends over for tacos and ice cream," Del Pelson frontman Cal Nelson croons on their stand-out track "Tacos & Ice Cream." The warm, summer-centric song off their latest release, Wide World EP, is perhaps South Florida's catchiest summer anthem of 2018.

"I know I'm going to catch some flack for this," Nelson laughs. "But I am personally addicted to Taco Bell. Maybe when we are down in Miami next week some food truck can change my mind... Ice cream, I don't know. Breyers has never let me down."

After moving from Tampa to Boca Raton for music school at FAU, the Utah native met drummer Garrett Kealer and bassist Nathaniel Spiner and formed Del Pelson. "It was magic from there," Nelson reminisces. The band later expanded and added keyboard player and saxophonist Patrick Montanari, described as the group's "secret weapon," and an additional guitarist. After the departure of one of their guitarists a year ago, the band now plays as a four-piece.

The Boca Raton-based quartet describes its sound as "combining catchy indie-pop melodies with the power of alternative rock," drawing inspiration from a spectrum of influences. "We all have distinct personal tastes," he says. "We all meet in the middle at like an indie/alternative rock kind of thing. I personally like a lot of Black Keys and Alabama Shakes kind of stuff. The bassist is a little bit more into math rock, and the drummer is a little bit more grungy. Funny enough, we wind up all liking stuff more along the lines of Two Door Cinema Club and Portugal the Man. A little more like alternative pop. We all went through FAU music school so occasionally you might hear a hint of jazz influence as well."

As for the origins of their name: "The drummer and the bassist lived together at the time, and their third roommate, for whatever reason, took it upon himself to never call me by my real name," Nelson explains. "So every time I saw him, he tried to say something different... [It was] always a spinoff of my name and one of them finally stuck, and that was Del Pelson."

Now the band is gearing up for its show alongside Watch Glass, Red Light Motel, and Sun City Riot at Gramps, presented by SoundBite Magazine on July 7. The show comes on the heels of the band's five-track EP, with an overall theme Nelson describes as "the search for love and search for one's self."

"That's the Shaggin' Wagon [on the cover]. That's my Subaru," he proudly laughs. "Funny enough, if you look closely, my license plate actually expired before we released the EP. The first week that the EP was out, somebody messaged us through Instagram and made sure that I renewed my registration."

Del Pelson. With Watch Glass, Red Light Motel, and Sun City Riot. 8:30 p.m., Saturday, July 7, at Shirley's at Gramps, 176 NW 24th St., Miami; gramps.com. Tickets cost $5 plus fees via Eventbrite.com; $7 at the door.


-Jessica Gibbs - Miami New Times