Mar 20, 2020 By Stephen Axeman

Los Angeles-based industrial techno-pop maverick Big Black Delta (aka Jonathan Bates) has shared a video for his new track “Summoner,” off of his forthcoming new album, 4, due out sometime this summer, and we are pleased to premiere it. More

Jan 30, 2020 By Stephen Axeman

Los Angeles-based indie poppers Sego have recruited their tourmates Big Black Delta to share their collaborative new split single, Quid Pro Quo, due out January 31, and we are pleased to premiere it. More

Oct 01, 2015 By Christopher Roberts

Big Black Delta has shared a new song and surprisingly it’s a duet with ‘80s teen pop icon Debbie Gibson. Big Black Delta is the project of Jonathan Bates (formerly of Mellowdrone and also in M83’s live band). Bates was inspired by Gibson’s 1987 hit “Only In My Dreams” and reached out to the singer about dueting on one of his songs. To his surprise, she said yes, and the result is “RCVR.” More

Sep 25, 2014 By Cody Ray Shafer

Conan has been honoring the late George Harrison all week, and last night the Beatle’s son Dhani stopped by to play a couple of his father’s songs from his 1970 album All Things Must Pass. More

Jan 16, 2014 By Laura Studarus

There’s about a dozen things worth mentioning about the new Big Black Delta video “Huggin & Kissin.” More

Sep 25, 2013 By Mike Hilleary

Musical artist Jonathan Bates, a.k.a. Big Black Delta, has premired a new music video for his self-titled album’s latest single “Love You This Summer.” More

Aug 28, 2013 By Laura Studarus

Earlier this evening, Jon Bates (otherwise known as Big Black Delta) performed at the The Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen in London, England. We sent photographer Helen Boast down to cover the action. More

Aug 13, 2013 By Mike Hilleary

Los Angeles native Jonathan Bates, otherwise known as Big Black Delta, has unveiled the music video for his self-titled album’s latest single “Money Rain Down.” More

Jul 09, 2013 By Mike Hilleary

Fair warning: the music video for Big Black Delta‘s “X22” is not G-rated in the least bit. More

May 01, 2013 By Mike Hilleary

Celebrating the release of his self-titled debut this week Big Black Delta, a.k.a. Jonathan Bates, has announced plans for a North American tour. More

Apr 23, 2013 By Mike Hilleary

Ex-Mellowdrone frontman Jonathan Bates will soon release his self-titled debut under his new moniker Big Black Delta. More

Mar 21, 2013 By Laura Studarus

Big Black Delta frontman Jon Bates shows off his Fred Astaire-through-the-Matrix dance moves in the new video for “Side of the Road.” More

Mar 16, 2013 By Laura Studarus

Big Black Delta checked in from day 1 of the Under the Radar SXSW parties in Austin, Texas. More

Mar 06, 2013 By Laura Studarus

On March 13 Under the Radar will host the first of three free day parties. Leading up to the event we’re letting you know about each artist playing. Today we’re spotlighting Big Black Delta. More

Mar 06, 2013 By Laura Studarus

Under the Radar magazine is excited to reveal the full lineups, poster, and set times for its three SXSW 2013 day parties, taking place on Wednesday March 13, Thursday March 14, and Friday March 15. Featured performers include Surfer Blood, DIIV, Small Black, Shout Out Louds, Foxygen, Poolside, Young Galaxy, Marnie Stern, Doldrums, Caveman, Girls Names, IO Echo, Mister Lies, Young Dreams, and more. More

Oct 31, 2012 By Christopher Roberts

In conjunction with our Protest Issue we asked several artists the same set of politically-themed questions. These answers were provided by Big Black Delta, the Los Angeles-based project of former Mellowdrone frontman Jonathan Bates.

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Sep 23, 2012 By Laura Studarus

Remember back when making a mixtape for your friends meant more than sending over a Spotify playlist? When you’d carefully select songs before burning them onto a CD? (Or recording them to tape?) When every track meant something? We’ve a gotten few of our favorite artists to make a tape for you, including Peaking Lights, Dntel, Teen Daze, Big Black Delta, Acid House Kings, and more. More

Jul 09, 2012 By Laura Studarus

There’s something decidedly sinister about Sei A’s remix of Big Black Delta scorcher, “IFUCKINGLOVEYOU.” More

Jun 03, 2012 By Laura Studarus

Remember back when making a mixtape for your friends meant more than sending over a Spotify playlist? When you’d carefully select songs before burning them onto a CD? (Or recording them to tape?) When every track meant something? Since it’s difficult to hand physical media through the Internet, we’ve compiled all the mixtapes we’ve posted to date below, including cuts from Johan Agebjörn, Big Black Delta, Blouse, Dawn Golden and Rosy Cross, Letting Up Despite Great Faults, Man Without Country, Nite Jewel, Pallers, Sunless ’97, Teen Daze, and Zambri.

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Mar 10, 2012 By Mark Redfern and Laura Studarus

Just a reminder that the not-to-be-missed digital version of Under the Radar’s “Best of 2011” issue (available for Mac, PC, iPad, and Android via Zinio here) includes the same articles that appear in the printed version—plus 100 extra pages of editorial content not found in the print edition. Included are extra photos of Beirut, Bon Iver, The Horrors, M83, Slow Club, Summer Camp, and tUnE-yArDs. The digital version features exclusive bonus interviews with Big Black Delta, Future Islands, Hooray for Earth, Lanterns on the Lake, Metronomy, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Real Estate, The War on Drugs, Wild Flag, and Zola Jesus. More

Mar 03, 2012 By Laura Studarus

Since it’s difficult to hand physical media through the Internet, we’ve compiled all the mixtapes we’ve posted to date, including cuts from Nite Jewel, Big Black Delta, Dawn Golden and Rosy Cross, Johan Agebjörn, and Pallers. More

Jan 16, 2012 By Laura Studarus

We’re quite taken with “Pleased to Meet You” artist Big Black Delta’s blend of romanticism and ear-shattering electronics. Of course, leadman Jonathan Bates (who live is joined by not one, but two drummers) also has a softer side—as evidenced by this mixtape he sent over to premiere Under the Radar. More

Dec 23, 2011 By Mark Redfern and Laura Studarus

Under the Radar‘s Best of 2011 Issue has shipped out to subscribers and will be hitting newsstands soon. The issue features three unique covers, each featuring an artist behind one of our Top 5 albums of the year: M83, The Horrors, and Bon Iver. The issue also takes a look back at other artists who have made a splash in 2011, including Beirut, Anna Calvi, EMA, Florence and the Machine, Gang Gang Dance, Neon Indian, PJ Harvey, R.E.M., SBTRKT, Slow Club, St. Vincent, Summer Camp, tUnE-yArDs, and Yuck. More

Feb 06, 2013 By Under the Radar Staff

For Under the Radar‘s 10th annual Artist Survey we emailed some of our favorite artists a few questions relating to 2012. Pick up the Best of 2012 issue to read many of the responses. We are also posting additional web-exclusive artist survey interviews to the website. Here are responses from Jonathan Bates of Big Black Delta. More

Oct 31, 2012 By Christopher Roberts

In conjunction with our Protest Issue we asked several artists the same set of politically-themed questions. These answers were provided by Big Black Delta, the Los Angeles-based project of former Mellowdrone frontman Jonathan Bates. More

Jan 16, 2012 By Laura Studarus

Former Mellowdrone frontman Jonathan Bates has stepped out on his own as Big Black Delta. While his debut full-length—the appropriately named Bbdlp1—defies categorization (Ambient? Danceable? Loud?)—it’s difficult to deny its potent blend of heavy beats, scream-along choruses, and eerie electronics. More

May 02, 2013 By Michele Yamamoto

Los Angeles-based master of synth, Jonathan Bates, has spent the past decade basically perfecting experimental pop with his band Mellowdrone. Taking a step away from the group, Bates has set out on his own as Big Black Delta, and his debut long play is a formidable collection of fresh material and works previously released only in limited editions. More

Mar 26, 2013 By Laura Studarus

I didn’t get to see everything I wanted to at Under the Radar’s seventh annual SXSW party. (Like any good hostess, I found myself often forgoing the entertainment to make sure no one went thirsty.) However, I was able to see a large handful of favorites (old and new) including: DIANA, Big Black Delta, Shout Out Louds, Young Dreams, Gold & Youth, Young Galaxy, Poolside, DIIV, Dan Croll, NZCA/LINES, IO Echo, and Small Black. More

Jan 14, 2012 By Laura Studarus

Jonathan Bates is crazy. More