The Wheelhouse’s Recipe for Success:

A New Menu, New Location, and New Team

Photo by Mikle Kelly

FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, one of Springfield, Missouri’s own and favorite food trucks, Wheelhouse, has been bringing Thai and Mexican fusion cuisine to the city’s ever-growing food scene. Through the years since its conception in 2012, the food truck now turned brick and mortar has faced its challenges, but through new ownership, a new menu, new location, and a talented brigade, the Wheelhouse has solidified itself as a revamped staple in Springfield’s culinary landscape.

Co-owner Lijah Sparlin and other team members of the Wheelhouse sat down with Deitra Magazine to give us the details on these implemented changes, as well as their culinary backgrounds and passions for what is to come.

Mike Hall: Expression Without Consequence

MIKE HALL IS AN INSTRUMENTAL BASSIST who uses a distinct creative approach to his music that involves a blend of harmonics, two handed tapping, slap, pop and flamenco techniques. 

Classically trained on the upright bass, Hall went on to form a band which played alongside several pop rock groups such as Blondie and Joan Jett, and he is now striking out on his own with his unique brand of solo instrumental songwriting. 

His sound is reminiscent of Victor Wooten, but with more emphasis on a melodic, ethereal, atmospheric vibe. His original songs tell a sweeping story, much like looking at a landscape painting. He uses his instrument as an orchestra, and creates unique melodies on the bass that set his musical style apart, landing himself on our radar of artists to watch. 

Hall's music puts us in a good head space, and would be the perfect backdrop to a writing or study session, or even cinematic films, and his growing catalog of stellar cover songs are worth the watch on his YouTube channel. In this interview, Mike Hall shares his intricate songwriting process as well as his thoughts on staying inspired during difficult times, and ultimately choosing self-expression over fear of striking out on his own.

Anna Wolf: Life in Metaphors

I'VE BEEN OBSESSING OVER Anna Wolf since she first sent me her music a few years ago. I love her alternative sound, and I get excited to see anything she releases. She recently dropped a new single that I'm enamored with, entitled "Mother," and I think Anna is a master at vocal delivery, songwriting and music production. She can sound like a lot of different singers all in the same song, but "Mother" is especially a masterpiece of production. 

The Vogts Sisters: Old Mountain Music

THE VOGTS SISTERS ARE an Americana-Folk duo from the midwest with soft, haunting voices fluttering together in perfect harmony over their special blend of ethereal, finger-picking goodness. The sisters compliment each other in an otherworldly way, their harmonies unexpected and seamless. They've got something special, and their latest album is the perfect one to add to your forest-wandering playlist. Each and every song on the album is impeccably arranged, produced and performed. There's not a single skip, each track teaming with its own unique magic that brings the entire body of work together in a beautiful way. The sisters are self-taught musicians, but they sound like old souls who've been singing for decades, evoking a peaceful spirit of American folk and Appalachian roots. We love the simplicity and mystical feeling of the arrangements, the smooth harmonies at times tugging at our heart strings, luring us in to listen to the next track. 

WD-HAN: Music is Modern Magic

WD-HAN BEATS THE ODDS, focusing on making a positive impact on people's lives through music, they say. The band is made up of two married couples; lead singer Spencer Barnes, guitarist Cal Henry, percussionist Lea Barnes, and band manager Marjorye Henry. WD-HAN aims for emotional depth in their songwriting, which does exist in their repertoire with songs like the piano-driven, harmony-rich crooner ballad "Places." But when you click play on their track, "Monkey," you're going to instantly know why we're obsessed. Their sound vibrates with high-energy songs, ranging from scuzzy garage rock to trad-blues stompers. You'll think you're listening to an unreleased White Stripes b-sides record during the Indie Aughts, and we're quite honestly salivating for more. Read on for our exclusive interview with frontman Spencer Barnes.

Fidan Aliva: Music is My Remedy

ALTERNATIVE ARTIST FIDAN ALIVA delivers airy, buttery vocals over smooth tracks with a pale ribbon of R&B running throughout a dreamy, ethereal electronic landscape. Her sound has just enough alternative to keep her in a lane of her own, but hints at a seriously smart marriage of the ever atmospheric Bjork and the sultry soul of Sade. We fell in love with every stylistic whisper... each dark, smoky note.

The Eiffels Spin Us Right 'Round

THE EIFFELS ARE AN INDIE POP band that's been on our radar and in our playlists for a few years now. Hailing from Los Angeles, the band has been piling up a stack of accolades from magazine write-ups and radio play in L.A. to landing tracks on video games, hit Netflix movies and MTV series. They've performed at Van’s Warped Tour and performed with artists like X Ambassadors and Plain White T’s.

Fall Boho Beauty

Written, styled + photographed by Kristen Lentz

Modeled by Lexi Miles

I THINK WE CAN all empathize with each other about the lack of feeling a lot of things this year. It's been hard! There have been multiple times of feeling defeated, lackluster, non-creative, etc. Covid sure has messed up a lot of plans, especially for us here at Deitra. I had originally planned to do this photo shoot back in March. Our model was contacted, along with our co-collaborator. Plans were a go. Then, more started happening with this virus, and state shutdowns soon followed. Thankfully, with safety precautions in place, we felt it was good timing to reconvene this fall.

Graci Phillips: Whispers in the Wind

GRACI PHILLIPS GIVES US SWEET, sweet relief from the stresses of the world with her stunning EP releases, Burning House EP and Stopping by Woods. Her beautifully pure vocals dance over emotive and articulate lyrics, accompanied by an Americana-based indie pop/folk instrumentation, with songs like the balladesque EP title track, "Burning House," and the upbeat folksy swing tune, "Conductor Doctor." Her most recent release, Stopping by Woods, offers the wintery love song, "Rainy Tennessee," along with a few holiday songs that bear her signature sound and thoughtful arrangements — including a haunting and utterly euphonious musical interpretation of Robert Frost's famous poem, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening."

Kim Logan: Elevating the Experience

KIM LOGAN FLAUNTS AN exquisite sultry voice, sexy lion mane of hair, rocker vibe and songs that make us feel like we're throwing back a moonshine at a cool blues bar. Her 2013 self-titled debut album, Kim Logan, is what first caught our attention. "Black Magic Boy" bears a retro soul sound and just enough witchy vibe to make us instant fans. The entire record sweeps us up into a jazzy swamp stomp airboat ride through the Delta, Logan's smooth and soulful voice enticing us with precision and force.