After a seven-year hiatus surrounded in mystery, Victor Villarreal (Cap'n Jazz, Ghost and Vodka, Owls) has re-emerged with a new outlook on the musical career he had all but abandoned. On his first solo release, the poignant "Alive," he concisely channels the spirit of his late brother Carlo with the record's 10 tracks serving as testament. In a break from tradition, Villarreal trades his electric guitar for an acoustic and, for the first time, pens his own set of heartfelt, deeply inspired lyrics. By working at his own pace, free of the distractions and upheavals which plagued much of his earlier life, Villarreal's daring delve into the world of solo artistry is thus far a successful one. And to think, it almost never came to be. "Originally, my first intention was it was going to be a family gift," he says of the record. "For Christmas I was just going to record these songs and give it to my family, and there happened to be some sort of interest in the songs, and in my playing. So, people asked if I was still playing, and I didn’t lie, so that thing turned into another thing, and then eventually, it just turned into, 'Well, I’m going to go ahead and release it as something that anybody can buy.' In a sense, it’s like I’m releasing my brother to the world." Dictating the time and place to uncork the bottled up memories of his brother was important. Having made much of his living in and around Chicago, Villarreal instead chose the low-key college town of DeKalb, Illinois to release the album due to its modesty, among other things. And he credits his own sense of modesty for the finished product. Unflapped by the rumors and stories circulating since his unforeseen departure, Villarreal made a personal vow to never Google his own name, citing the need for "a clear vision of what I'm doing." Never has that vision been clearer than with "Alive."