Getting to Know… Open Window | Interview

In the 495^th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from the Thousand Oaks-based rock band Open Window.

That is a reasonable, sound assertion, Open Window! The Thousand Oaks-based rock band expounds, “I believe our influences can sometimes be evident in our songs, but I’d be surprised if anyone accused us of trying to emulate another band.” We get the inside scoop on the band’s genesis, goals, musical influences, and current and future musical endeavors. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into Getting to Know… Open Window: Interview No. 495!

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For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes Open Window distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

I (Daniel) would never be so bold as to claim we are unique. We are, however, very adept at being ourselves. I believe our influences can sometimes be evident in our songs, but I’d be surprised if anyone accused us of trying to emulate another band. We tend to blend hard rock music with melodic vocals and emotive lyrics, but that is hardly unheard of. There have been bands who have done that before us.

When it comes to live performances, we engage with our audience, and we do our best to entertain and deliver to them a solid rock n roll show.

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Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Open Window form, and what were some of your goals or visions early?

Formed in 2006 in Los Angeles, CA, Open Window emerged from the creative mind of AMC recording artist Daniel E. Bautista (Asa Cruz), who 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. Open Window comprises Daniel E. Bautista (vocals), James S. Rutherford (guitars), Wayne Rothstein (bass and backing vocals), and John Aponte (drums). All songs are written by Daniel, James, and Wayne.

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Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or perspectives changed since you first started? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

Great question! If one were to take a snapshot of each of us and our goals when we first started out and one of us today, it would appear that those goals have remained unchanged. In that, the only goal we have is to continually become better at our respective instruments, write songs that mean something to us, and then share them with others. That’s it.

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Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Who would you consider some of your biggest musical influences, and how are they influential?

Vocals: No necessarily in order, Sam Cooke, Brian Wilson, Linda Ronstadt, Dusty Springfield, Steve Perry, Robert Plant, Freddie Mercury, Paul Rodgers, David Lee Roth, Phil Mogg, and so many more!

Instruments: Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Ace Frehley, Warren DeMartini, Jeff Beck, John Bonham, Neil Peart, Stewart Copeland, Paul McCartney, Geddy Lee, John Paul Jones,  and so many more!

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Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

Well, the truly wildest ones are probably not suitable for sharing with the public. However, we always take what the day gives us. Rarely do things go as planned, and we always try to remain optimistic and dig ourselves out of whatever mess comes our way, no matter how wacky it may be.

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To this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

I’m (Daniel) sorry, I don’t think I can possibly answer that question. There have been a number of songs over the years. A couple of my current favorites from our forthcoming LP are “Close Your Eyes,” “Dissipate,” and “Fly.” 

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Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left-of-center we should know about Open Window? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

Sorry, we just don’t even know how to begin to answer that.

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What is Open Window currently working on or promoting that you can share? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

Along with the release of our music video for “Close Your Eyes”, we are currently working on our tour plan for 2026, which will commence in the U.S. We are also gearing up to release our full-length album in early 2026.

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Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward. 

Thank you!

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Getting to Know… Open Window: Interview No. 495 [📷: Open Window]

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