Author: J.R. Gilmore

J.R. Gilmore was born in the woodlands, on planet earth, 4.5 billion years after the planet was formed out of a mixture of dust and gas. And at least 3.5 million years after hominids stopped swinging in trees and began walking upright.

Dead in Love, Nathan Hewitt, Patrick Giguere and David Therrien Brongo, Saapato, The Uptights

“Give Me Shelter Outro” by Dead in Love:

Embark on a cosmic journey with Dead in Love. A lo-fi minimalistic project out of Sweden.

This underground indie gem seamlessly blends ethereal vocals and dreamy instrumentals of a gritty nature, creating a sonic experience that’s as expansive as it is intimate, and even heartwarming in an odd way.

A celestial experience for the avant-garde music explorer. A true taste of the underground.

“For Everything” by Nathan Hewitt:

Dive into the neon-lit underground with experimental artist, Nathan Hewitt.

This lo-fi instrumental track is a pulsating blend of synths and haunting soundscapes, capturing the essence of a mysterious foggy night.

A mesmerizing sonic escapade for those craving a futuristic musical odyssey with an edge of vintage psychedelia.

“Laisser Surgir” by Patrick Giguere and David Therrien Brongo:

“Laisser Surgir” is a sonic tapestry of experimental sonic introspection, out of Canada.

The outsider instrumental track fuses ethereal fx with an experimental percussion solo, delivering a raw and minimalistic piece that drips with the essence of the dreamworld.

A faint whisper in the face of conformity. A meditation upon the unknown.

“Fool’s Empyrean” by Saapato:

“Fool’s Empyrean” weaves enchanting tales with an ethereal dreamscape dripping with the resonance of a subterranean environment.

This indie masterpiece is eery, yet comforting, and is a delicate fusion of nostalgic melodies and soul-stirring visions from the past, creating an intimate soundscape that resonates with introspection and emotion.

A captivating journey through whispered emotions of harmonic nostalgia.

“Killer Clementine” by The Uptights:

Descend into the rhythmic depths of The Uptights.

This indie track is a pulsating blend of underground beats and eclectic instrumentation, creating a hypnotic soundscape that invites you to lose yourself in the hypnotic rhythm.

A dance-worthy exploration of the lo-fi world. A sonic rebellion against the ordinary. This indie underground track merges vintage fx with thought-provoking lyrics, creating a nostalgic soundscape that challenges convention.

Cassette Masters – MWS

“MWS” by Cassette Masters is a mesmerizing blend of faux orchestral and electronic elements.

This cyclical experimental track seamlessly merges analog with futuristic synthscapes. The result is a mesmerizing tapestry that elicits a wide range of introspective emotion.

The composition is beautifully arranged, offering moments of tranquility and fragments of intense energy. The project is a testament to the composer’s innovation and is a must-listen for those seeking a captivating and boundary-pushing sonic experience.

Created by Bobby T. Lewis at Casa de Lo-fi.

A Note From J.R. Gilmore: Adieu Santa Rosa Records

For nearly seven years I’ve poured my heart into Santa Rosa Records.

She rose from a puddle of blood, sweat, and tears in the streets of San Marcos, Texas.

And in that time she’s grown from a mere fever dream I had in the heart of South America, into an admirable boutique record label, and independent curator of underground music from around the world and across all genres.

But like all good things, the end, or death, is inevitable.

All good things must eventually come to an end my friend. This is the cyclical nature of life. Our collective fate as a living and breathing organism walking upon planet earth.

However, Santa Rosa Records will not die, she’ll merely shed her skin and evolve into a living thing of greater beauty.

Like Jesus Christ of Bethlehem, she’ll descend into hell, and then spread her wings and ascend to the heavens – born anew, like the rising Phoenix.

In plain earthling speak, in the coming weeks, Santa Rosa Records will be transitioning into a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization, and will be reimagined as Blackwater Collective.

In essence, Blackwater Collective will be a self-sustaining nonprofit record label, book publisher, and charitable creative collective dedicated to empowering the less fortunate.

Everything (label-wise) will essentially be staying the same, but we’ll be expanding the scope of the organization in order to manifest a more physical, and charitable presence in the world.

We’ll do this by adopting New Mexico highways, offering employment, training, and education in horticulture and the arts, and developing distressed areas throughout New Mexico.

And in an effort to support environmental conservation, we’ve chosen to donate to The National Audubon Society — an organization who’s in alignment with our own values in preserving natural habitats for wildlife.

Unfortunately, in order to accomplish all of this, we’ll have to mitigate the music blog facet of our organization, in order to stay focused on the bigger picture.

We’ll still post up underground artists we stumble upon, but this function will no longer be the focus of our scope.

We must adapt to the ever evolving landscape if we’re to survive.

This is merely the beginning my friend. Unfortunately, the end will have to wait for now.

follow our journey on instagram

And to conclude this chapter, here are some cryptic words of wisdom from the now deceased Daniel Johnston: “Ain’t no woman gonna make a George Jones out of me.”