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Mellowdrone
Rocking the USA!
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Jonathan Bates
pursued music after spending an enlightening childhood and adolescence in
Miami, Florida, Jonathan moved to Boston, Massachusetts. Bates was good enough
to receive a scholarship to the prestigious Berklee School of Music in
Massachusetts there he played music and learned about cold weather because of
the boring snow and rain, one couldn't go out much, so Jonathan started writing
and recording music on his computer he decided to call this music Mellowdrone.
.....After the cold became too much Jonathan then moved to
sunny Los Angeles California where he now p l a y s becoming an absolute studio
wizard, which is exactly what Bates did. He began working with some simple
computer equipment and keyboards that allowed him to create, program, mix and
record music. That's when his alter ego -- Mellowdrone -- was born. He produced
his first home-brewed EP, " ... boredom never sounded so sweet," in
1999, which set the foundation for what would become an ongoing exploration
into the worlds of electronica, Synth-pop, rock 'n' roll, and even New Wave.
A second EP, "glassblower," would
catch the attention of A&R rep Tony Berg, whose track record includes
discovering Beck and the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Berg would make
Mellowdrone one of his first signings after coming onboard ARTISTdirect
Records. .......Things are really looking up for
Mellowdrone, who has received some rave reviews for his artsy new EP, "a
demonstration of intellectual property." He has opened shows for such
notable names as Elbow, South, Remy Zero and Starsailor. Now he's joining the
big leagues serving as main support for Johnny Marr and the Healers. Bates
transforms into a one-man band who, like Einstein turned symphony composer, has
made a habit out of recording impressive EPs in the same room in which he
snoozes. A Demonstration Of Intellectual Property, his third such outing, is a
six-song affair that'll have no trouble fostering anticipation for the proper
full-length, due later this year. Jonathan Bates and in many ways he has a lot
in common with other modern "out in left field" artists such as Beck,
Angie Aparo and Vast. The music isn't nearly as heavy as Vast's. I draw the
comparison due to the fact that Bates is a songwriting / recording machine unto
himself. He sequesters himself in his bedroom studio to write, record and
produce his own music and as a result you get the full measure of his musical
vision not the vision of some high priced record producer. Relentlessly pursue
the task of capturing that vision on tape (or rather harddrive). Stylistically
the music has an experimental feel to it but Jonathan Bates doesn't fall into
the trap of being a self-absorbed, the songs have a freeform feel but underneath you find
Structured and contain most of the elements of successful pop tunes; melodic
hooks, a moving rhythm and vocals you find yourself singing along to.
.... After
listening to Mellowdrone it may not be for everyone but those with an ear for
the Melodious musical explorations of Beck and Radiohead should feel right at
home with this disc. As the name suggests the music is on the mellower side of
the street and has a droning quality to it. But for the most part, the droning
has an almost hypnotic power that evokes curiosity and compels you to keep
listening. On "No More Options" Jonathan does find the before
mentioned formula. The verses are compelling escapades into Radiohead
"Creep" territory that lead to powerful choruses that sound like what
you would get if U2.
....The vocals
are just dripping with emotion as Jonathan takes you on a ride into his
consciousness. The bottom line Mellowdrone would still standout even if the
musical universe was filled with high quality artists. By Randy Cohen
........This is the Official Rock Publication Web Site
All photos and written material courtesy of Rock Publication
.Copyright © 2003
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Check out Songs
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Mellowdrone
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...........2003
