Californian rockers Open Window talk about their new single 'Open Your Eyes'

PLEASE TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF...

Hello! We formed in 2006, in Los Angeles, CA, when AMC recording artist, Daniel E. Bautista (Asa Cruz), initially set out to write and record new material for his publisher. The project quickly morphed from a one-off studio session into something much more. We were drawn together by a shared love of timeless rock, decided to keep the momentum going. We named the band “Open Window”—a nod to the lyrics of one of their songs—and took our music on the road, playing shows and developing a sound that would be uniquely their own. Ultimately, the band took a longer than intended hiatus. Then, in 2024, we found ourselves writing music together once again. What began as a few jam sessions soon snowballed into a collection of songs powerful enough to be the foundation for an album, which we recently recorded.

Daniel E. Bautista – Vocals; James S. Rutherford – Guitars; Wayne Rothstein – Bass & Backing Vocals; John Aponte – Drums. All songs written by Daniel, James, and Wayne.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW SINGLE & MUSIC VIDEO FOR ‘CLOSE YOUR EYES’?

Close Your Eyes was the first new song written once we ended our lengthy hiatus. It is the one song off of our 11-song album (set for release in early 2026), where all four of us could agree there was something special about it. Lyrically, at its core, the song is about someone who must go a very long journey, perhaps forever, but must leave someone they love behind.

WHICH SONG WOULD YOU SAY SUMS UP YOUR SOUND THE BEST, AND WHY?

Close Your Eyes might be a good one; however, we do have songs that are harder rock. I believe the song Alone (to be released in 2026) illustrates pretty well our overall sound.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO MUSIC?

I (Daniel) was first exposed to listening to Rock n Roll and Motown music from my parents. I began learning an instrument (Drums) when I was about 12 years old. Although

I would eventually come to play guitar and sing.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WRITING AND RECORDING DAY LOOK LIKE?

For us, no two writing sessions are identical. On Close Your Eyes, James presented a guitar “riff” to me (Daniel), and I very quickly began scatting melodies and words, a few of which are present in the final recording. I (Daniel) took the ideas home and woodshedded for a few days and emerged with Verses and a Chorus. I presented what I had to James and Wayne, and from there the guys rounded out the musical transitions and the bridge and, voila, we had a finished song!

Generally, the recording process for us is a collaboration effort of ideas and musical input. We usually go into the studio with w ell-rehearsed version of the song. However, once we start recording we keep open minds to possibilities of change.

HOW DID YOU GET YOUR BAND NAME?

“Open Window’ comes from a lyric to one of our early songs – Look Beyond. The lyric goes, “I look beyond your eyes [in a] photograph I have; an open window to your lies.”

WHAT HAS BEEN THAT HARDEST THING ABOUT YOUR MUSIC JOURNEY SO FAR?

For me (Daniel), the hardest part of my journey has probably been the physical limitations I have as a singer. Just because I hear a certain note, certain tone, etc., in my head, it hardly guarantees I am able to achieve it. Sometimes even after hashing it out for hours upon hours, I am still disappointed with the sound. That’s when I have to let it go and find another way.

WHAT'S BEEN THE EASIEST?

Nothing is easy. Hahaha. But I suppose some things come easier than others. One of the easier things for me (Daniel) is to listen to “final” mix of one of our songs and be at peace with it. It can never be perfect, but over the years I have learned to relinquish chasing perfection.

WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING IF YOU WEREN'T MAKING MUSIC?

I (Daniel) was an avid drawer and illustrator when I was young. Perhaps a graphic artist, author, and/or animator of some sort?

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN?

A professional Jazz Singer once told me, being a professional vocalist is not about hitting 100% on occasion. It is about hitting 80% night after night.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Currently, we are promoting our Music Video – Close Your Eyes. We are also organizing a 2026 Tour. We plan to release another song in January, followed by the release of our full-length album in early 2026.

PLEASE ADD ANY SOCIALS SO WE CAN SHARE: Instagram: Instagram

Close Your Eyes (Official Music Video): https://youtu.be/GX3RGdRNPqU?feature=shared

Bandcamp (Direct Download songs): https://openwindow1.bandcamp.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0rK8QJKRXtrlY0SlUrInXi?si=ZOunbMetTDKnx2mTE159ww