Jonathan Bates, the man behind Big Black Delta is from Venezuela. At the age of seven he found himself in Miami and at the age of 17 he found himself in Boston, at the Berklee College of Music. He left Berkeley, apparently over a girl, and wound up in Los Angeles.
It is sort of a good thing he did because, ultimately, the result of this move was Big Black Delta. After playing with the more traditional band set up Bates decided to get modern. He bought an old lap top and began designing sounds and making his own music. We do not know what happened with the girl.
Big Black Delta's debut LP, BBDLP1, is available now.
It is sort of a good thing he did because, ultimately, the result of this move was Big Black Delta. After playing with the more traditional band set up Bates decided to get modern. He bought an old lap top and began designing sounds and making his own music. We do not know what happened with the girl.
Big Black Delta's debut LP, BBDLP1, is available now.
It is hard to imagine a “band” with a laptop and two drummers rocking but Big Black Delta manage it.
“Right now we are out with Jane's Addiction and I am having the time of my life. We get along very well with the band.” says Bates.
Big Black Delta also found themselves onstage with Janes Addiction—which is a special bonus for someone who is a fan. And as a fan there was another plus.
“We get to see them every night and play in front of their crowd who have treated us very well. It has been a blessing and I get to watch them for free.” he says.
Bates says it could be a dangerous thing to head out on tour supporting such an established act but bot the band and their fans welcomed them with open arms.
When asked to describe what the band’s music sounds like Bates sasays it is "...like the final scene in Close Encounters of the Third Kind but pornographic."
Pretty spot on. When you see them live you will get it.
“This is our first national tour and we are trying to hit everywhere that asks us.” says Bates.
In addition to opening slots they are playing solo shows when they have the time to do so. One of those was in Chicago at The Empty Bottle (these photos are from that show).
“Right now we are out with Jane's Addiction and I am having the time of my life. We get along very well with the band.” says Bates.
Big Black Delta also found themselves onstage with Janes Addiction—which is a special bonus for someone who is a fan. And as a fan there was another plus.
“We get to see them every night and play in front of their crowd who have treated us very well. It has been a blessing and I get to watch them for free.” he says.
Bates says it could be a dangerous thing to head out on tour supporting such an established act but bot the band and their fans welcomed them with open arms.
When asked to describe what the band’s music sounds like Bates sasays it is "...like the final scene in Close Encounters of the Third Kind but pornographic."
Pretty spot on. When you see them live you will get it.
“This is our first national tour and we are trying to hit everywhere that asks us.” says Bates.
In addition to opening slots they are playing solo shows when they have the time to do so. One of those was in Chicago at The Empty Bottle (these photos are from that show).
How does Bates describe the difference between playing solo and opening for Janes Addiction? It isn't QUITE location, location, location but it is related in a way.
"The difference is real estate, the size of the stage. Load in guys,you have all these union guys." he says.
Bates often collaborates with other artists—inclluding M83 (he played live guitar for them and recorded vocals). He has also done remixes and produced work for other artists.
"The difference is real estate, the size of the stage. Load in guys,you have all these union guys." he says.
Bates often collaborates with other artists—inclluding M83 (he played live guitar for them and recorded vocals). He has also done remixes and produced work for other artists.
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