Producer, remixer, writer and performer Jonathan Bates is a master at creating a wonderful musical universe all his own. His current project, Big Black Delta, has done official remixes for Daft Punk, M83, Moby, SONOIO and more. His new song and video delivers medieval and witchy sounds, like something you would play to summon a demon. He also played guitar and sang in the French pop group M83 famous for “Midnight City”. Dark Beauty is thrilled to bring this interview to you…
Interview Meikee Magnetic
Where were you born and where are you now?
I was born in Caracas, Venezuela and I now live in Los Angeles.
Who are you as an artist and what struggles did you overcome in your journey to arrive at your music destination?
Nobody. I’m nobody. The biggest struggle I’ve had is the time it sometimes takes me to learn how to trust my first instincts in a given situation. The beauty about being a nobody, is no nobody cares. You’re free to do whatever you want. I sometimes forget that I’m allowed to make whatever i want. That’s the good stuff.
Tell us the creative process behind your video Summoner Pts. 1-4 and how it became such a beautiful piece of dark cinematic art:
Nina, Warren and I worked together on a video that Warren did for a song of mine, “Side of the Road”. Nina and Warren are both at the cutting edge of their respective talents. When us three get together on a project it seems to just happen. A lot of work was on Warrens end, so he’d be a good person to ask his process on this as it was very liquid. (WATCH FULL VERSION HERE)
It’s very inspirational to see your creative team’s final result, can we expect more from this magical unit?
Yes.
How have you been coping with lock down due to Covid-19 and what advice do you have for others during this time?
To be honest, it’s a lot like being on tour. Combined with spending a lot of time in 3rd world countries growing up, I’m not as shocked as to how fast and low a country can fall. I’m a recovering alcoholic, so the hardest part for me is not getting wasted and watching anime or whatever I would use to do to avoid the silence. Meditation has been my saving grace and also finding the right medication for my clinical depression. Without these things I’d be in trouble for sure.
What are some things you’ll be doing after the pandemic?
I don’t think there will be an after. There’ll be a new normal. I hope to be of service and bring people joy thru making music. How ever the universe sees that for me. I have a record coming out and a bunch of the projects that are about to be birthed. I’m actually stoked. Maybe a live show and we can release all this shit.
What does Dark Beauty mean to you?
I’d like to use this question to address gate keeping. It’s taken 40 years and a shitload of therapy to realize this, let your definitions of cool be yours. Don’t let any neck bearded gate keeper tell you how to be. If anything, this pandemic has shown that it’s time to do whatever you want artistically. Don’t be a thing or hip or in. Just be you. You are the source experiencing itself. You can do anything with that.
MORE INFO:
www.bigblackdelta.com
www.facebook.com/bigblackdelta
