Big Black Delta is a solo project of Mellowdrone vocalist/bassist Jonathan Bates. Bates began the project in 2010 after becoming frustrated with the logistics of a band. Thanks to help from Alessandro Cortini, of Nine Inch Nails, he discovered the possibilities of producing music on a laptop and quickly set about building a new sound. In 2013, Bates released his self-titled album, Big Black Delta. The album contained a mixture of fresh material and songs released on BBDLP1. The album was released on Bates' own label, Masters of Bates, and was inspired by the soundtracks of Blade Runner and Solaris. It was positively received by critics and was compared by one reviewer to music from Muse and The Joy Formidable. Remixes of songs from the album have since come from Jimmy Edgar, John Tejada, Azari & III and Martyn. The video for "Side of the Road" was directed by Warren Kommers, inspired by Bates' love of astrophysics and astronomy. Big Black Delta has collaborated with a number of other artists such as War Widow, Alessandro Cortini, Susanne Sundfør, Morgan Kibby, and Poison The Well drummer Chris Hornbrook, acting as touring drummer. He has received praise from Jay-Z on his blog, Life+Times, and played in support of Gary Numan, M83 and Jane's Addiction on their tours. In 2016, Big Black Delta released his third album, Trágame Tierra. The album was financed via PledgeMusic, a music focused crowdsourcing website, which allowed Big Blag Delta to release the album via his own label. Along with a copy of the album, fans could earn tickets to the a show on tour, a roll of film depicting the behind the scenes of the creation of the album along with other creative gifts for the donation given. The album contains collaborations with Debbie Gibson on "RCVR" and Kimbra on "Bitten by the Apple"; it was followed by a North American headlining tour. Big Black Delta's fourth album, the all instrumental WHORU812, was released on eOne Music Canada in June 2017. Prior to the album's release, Bates announced there would be only one live performance from Big Black Delta in 2017, to be played at The Viaduct in Los Angeles on July 14. Hit songs "Huggin & Kissin" and "Capsize" were used in the 2017 USA Network showThe Sinner starring Jessica Biel. On January 31, 2020, Bates and fellow Los Angeles band Sego released a split cover EP called "Quid Pro Quo," that saw Sego covering the Big Black Delta song "Into The Night," and Bates covering Sego's song "Shame." The released this digitally and as a limited run of 500 flexi discs. On March 20, 2020, Big Black Delta released the single, "Summoner," off of his upcoming forth album. It was accompanied by a music video directed by Warren Kommers and Nina McNeely. This followed by remixes for "Summoner" from James Welsh, Clearside, and The Bodies Obtained. On May 15, 2020, Big Black Delta released the single "Lord Only Knows," and its accompanying music video directed by Adam Osgood. Big Black Delta's fourth LP 4 was also announced, and will be released on July 10, 2020. On June 12. "Canary," the third single from 4, was released. He released his fourth studio album, 4, on July 10, 2020, alongside a video for album track "Vessel"
