When Kiefer Sutherland, actor from the show 24, decided to start his Ironworks Music label, he jumped at the opportunity to sign California native Rocco DeLuca. While DeLuca’s influences in the past included Johnny Cash, John Lee Hooker and John Mayall, he’s now making a name for himself playing with his new group, Rocco DeLuca and The Burden. DeLuca plays dobro guitar with a slide, and his unique mix of blues and folk-fused rock is receiving international attention. His latest album, I Trust You To Kill Me, recently earned him a nod as one of VH1’s “you oughta know artists on the rise.”

Q: You have a rootsy music background but you play a rock show with The Burden. How do you label yourself these days?

Rocco: I’ve had a hard time with that, to be honest with you. I like to dip my hands into all the different realms. I’m first and foremost a singer-songwriter, without a doubt; that’s my passion. It’s not that I’m some mysterious thing, it’s just really hard for me to put my finger on it exactly.

Q: What are some of the differences between opening for traditional blues artists and modern rock groups?

Rocco: The older artists had a point of reference. They were really part of the source, a direct link from what happened at the turn of the century with music. The modern rock bands we’ve been going out with are really amazing, but their derivative comes from a slightly different place.

Q: Were you apprehensive when Kiefer Sutherland initially approached you?

Rocco: At the time I didn’t have a group and I was just playing on my own. They were starting a label and I had my apprehensions, but when you see someone that passionate about what they’re doing, you realize that they’re truly fans of art, artists and songs. At that point, you just kind of surrender and trust in it a bit.

Q: What is Sutherland’s role with the band now?

Rocco: His role is always as a label owner. At one point he took us to Europe and essentially joined the gang for a while. It was great, but we can’t hang with him. He runs too hard for us. We actually decided to lay low and let him go back to his awesome job.