After years in LA fronting his own bands and navigating the familiar struggles of alcoholism, Jonathan Bates decided to step back from the industry and began creating music under the name Big Black Delta.
At the time, UFOs were still a fringe topic—more likely to derail conversations around a campfire than spark them. The most reported sightings involved black triangles in the sky, aligning with Bates’ fascination with sacred geometry. “I make music for people to explore their own answers. Or not. I’m not your dad,” he quips.
On his fifth self-produced album, ADONAI, Bates describes the process as channeling. “I can’t really put into words what that means, but the intention behind it is service. I invited higher beings into the process—it’s the most ancient greeting I could find.”
True to form, the album traverses a variety of styles, yet it stands out as his most precise work to date. “The lyrics aren’t here to change the world; it’s already doing that just fine. I’m just speaking to you as if we were in the same room,” Bates explains.
When asked what sets this LP apart, his response is disarmingly simple: “Does it matter if it brings someone joy?” Ultimately, Bates hopes that listeners find meaning in the songs. “We’re going to be OK.”