Charles Johnson, Author at Blackwater Collective

YouTube Exclusive Ft. kitchenromance | Okey Dokey | The Babe Rainbow

kitchenromance

The latest track from kitchenromance is a sleepy lo-fi ballad of psychedelic impermanence — lost in a sort of misty dreamworld filled with a fuzzy sense of nostalgic comfort and a nice cool ocean breeze.

The honest vocals seem to transcend both space and time in a seemingly casual, careless, but always cool manner. And now, here is “dream with me” — a lethargic rhinestone all the way from the hazy shores of Southern California.

https://youtu.be/CpnPrqENRhI

If kitchenromance were a food, we feel his YouTube cover art says it all — a leftover cheeseburger with a can of chili, some blueberries, and perhaps a side of fries — and don’t forget the ketchup.

“Dream me another, just like my father told me, and if you notice I dream all day long, would you still love me, long after I am gone, dream me another, just like my father told me.” – kitchenromance

Keep up with kitchenromance on YouTube — you monkeys!

Okey Dokey

In “All Hat No Cattle” — Okey Dokey indirectly riffs on the old Texas joke their good friend, Kole Sharp, reawakened for them.

It goes something like this: Nashville is essentially the cowgirl or cowboy who owns a ten gallon hat, a closet full of pearl snap shirts, wranglers, and a brand new pair of shiny cowboy boots, but has never ridden a horse, shot a sixshooter, sang a good old cowboy ballad beside a campfire, rounded up cattle, or ever really even done one damned cowboy thing in his or her life.

In a very strange way, it’s like The Beach Boys writing socal surfer music, but never having surfed a day in their lives.

“It can pertain to anything here in Nashville, but most notably music. For some reason when people live here [in Nashville], they have a sense of entitlement that they are different than the hundreds of thousands of musicians world wide. You can own a guitar or drum set or keyboard, but that doesn’t mean you know anything about real honest music.” – Okey Dokey, on “All Hat No Cattle”

Check out Okey Dokey’s other tracks on YouTube!

The Babe Rainbow

Babe Rainbow’s latest track “Morning Song” is a happy and cheerful tune harping on the glorious intricacies of the natural world, and a true sense of bliss-inducing freedom and self-acceptance.

The soundscape sounds of a worldwide vibration, beautifully encumbered in honest vocals, and a real authentic feeling of what it means to truly feel alive — only to stare down a rifled barrel… Listen and dig my friends. I think you’ll really enjoy this one!

After releasing their self-titled debut back in 2017, The Babe Rainbow has evolved into an alternative psych-pop staple upon touring with the Allah-La’s, collaborating with Stu Mackenzie of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, and playing the Desert Daze Festival.

The band is very pleased to announce the release of a new full-length album on August 16th — on 30th Century Records. Stay tuned!

By the way — the music video was Directed by the one and only, Kristofski.

Subscribe to The Babe Rainbow on YouTube!

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Latin Vibrations Ft. Alex Cuba & Marinero

Alex Cuba

Alex Cuba — an experimental artist out of Canada — is the puppet master of every instrument on his latest project, and has also adopted a more minimalistic feel as of late — a primitive vibration we feel is of a transcendent nature.

The excitement of his new journey started when he was on a writing trip to Mexico, and converted a solo, self-produced project into a collective statement about the value of the song writing craft — engrossed in themes of love, tolerance, climate, and tradition.

In an era of division, outrage, and difference — Alex Cuba’s new single “Yo No Sé” presents the importance of giving oneself the benefit of the doubt and allowing yourself to try anything.

It was in Mexico City where Alex witnessed the growing movement of Latin pride among young musicians and fans, with a special interest in Latin American folk arts.

Cuba’s retro song writing shines through the project — and is a nostalgic throwback to the collective unconscious.

We hope to hear more music like this from Cuba in the near future. It’s a brand of latin folk music the world so desperately needs.

Be sure to give Cuba a follow on Spotify!

Marinero

Marinero is the manic moniker of San Francisco native — Jess Sylvester — whose songs of heartbreak wreaks of Latin America and subtle touches of tender, and heartfelt emotion.

Despite playing in punk rock bands throughout his youth — it was a visit to Mexico that forever changed his life.

During a three-month trip to Guadalajara — Carlos Pesina, transitioned from being Jess’s tour guide to being his bandmate — resulting in Francisco Y Madero.

His more recent solo work as Marinero, however, offers further insight into his singular talent and evolution as an artist.

“Flor de Jamaica” is a first glimpse into the project — a pairing of bossa-nova rhythms and vocals filled with existential angst.

Following an emotional breakup, Sylvester booked a trip to Guadalajara. Once there, he collaborated with psych-rock troupe, Dorotheo.

Those sessions, recorded in May and June of last year, are the first Marinero songs on record with a live band.

The project taps into Sylvester’s Chicano roots with inspiration from groups around Latin America, and Brazil’s colorfully textured Tropicália movement.

While he notes that the project wasn’t easy to record, Jess now views Trópico de Cáncer as a natural creative step forward. “I feel like I’ve healed as a result of going through that whole process and making the record,” he said. “It feels like it was all meant to be in a way.” And, we feel the same.

Go ahead and give his other project a follow. We can’t wait to hear what else this evolving artist has for us in the near future. It should be a trip to behold.

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Spotify Exclusive: Distant Tide | Idan Altman | BenCjones | Covey | POLR

Distant Tide

Distant Tide is an avant-garde, experimental artist out of Los Angeles who fuses classic psychedelia with a more contemporary, yet unique style of indie rock.

Distant Tide’s new single — “Magnolia” — embodies virgin springtime vibrations, and is infested with a desert psych-rock emotion. It’s reminiscent of a new breed of psychedelia — a rare oddity in an age infested with mockingbirds stray pigeons.

The vocals seem to effortlessly glide through a shimmering soundscape, and somehow reminds the listener of a time now forgotten. It’s quite simply perfect in every fallible way.

The track was written, recorded, and produced by the man behind the veil — Daniel Griffith.

We hope you enjoy Distant Tide’s new single. And, be on the lookout for more Distant Tide on the blog in the near future. Because today, he acquired a new fan.

“‘Magnolia’ is the 2nd single off my debut EP, a psychedelic journey fusing both classic and modern sounds.” — Distant Tide

Idan Altman

Idan Altman is an experimental artist and record producer. His music is particularly suited for eccentric weirdos and fellow eclectic artists alike.

In 2017, after living in Berlin for a stint, Altman retreated to the countryside where he founded Waving Cat Records with Chinese artist, Shu Ying.

“Proceed to the Gate” is an intensely psychedelic, and honest track off Altman’s latest masterpiece, It all Works Out in The End.

And now without further ado, here is Altman’s mind melting sonic adventure, “Proceed to the Gate”. Enjoy.

“Every day our body decays, yet we look the other way. So we save some cash and wait, ’til it’s time to proceed to the gate.” — Idan Altman

BenCjones

BenCjones is an artist and producer out of Fort Worth, Texas. He is a child of music, as both his parents were music majors when they met in college.

You could say that he was born with rhythm in his blood.

BenCjones has since developed into a multi-instrumental prodigy, vocalist, and experimental songwriter with a style that bends traditional genres and conventional modes of thought — a creative force that blurs the typical lines of alternative and indie rock.

His new album, Just One Gun, will drop June 2nd!

But first, BenCjones new single “Time Bomb” takes the listener on an intensely interesting and hard-hitting journey that climaxes with a beautiful guitar solo and heavenly choir. We hope you dig!

“I’ve got to tell you, you’re like a time bomb baby.” – BenCjones

Covey

Covey is an alternative folk pop project led by British multi-instrumentalist and vocal extraordinaire, Tom Freeman.

Since relocating to the United States for school back in 2010, Covey has now managed to connect to his listeners through his unusual lyrics and raw vocal melodies.

And now, here is Covey’s new track “Gecko”…

“I saw you in my dream last night as I stood alone.” – Covey

POLR

POLR is portrayed as a giant polar bear with a polaroid camera, but the producer behind the project is Nashville-based experimental artist — Micah Von.

The instrumental lo-fi hip hop artist explores a lost genre through a combination of obscure samples, groovy rhythms, and polarizing bass-lines.

Each POLR release has explored a different theme, and features unique elements such as historic samples and even collaborations with neoclassical musicians.

POLR’s new release arrives with a simple, yet quite chilled out style using unique vibrations to paint a picture of a serene greenhouse — lush and overgrown. The track utilizes organic textures and wood blocks to create a laid back and tranquil lo-fi atmosphere.

He hopes the listener will find peace and tranquility — refuge — in his music. And now — relax, get comfortable, and take the trip with POLR.

“Planting Seeds for a Brand New Sound with New Single ‘Greenhouse'” – POLR

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Bandcamp Exclusive: Indigo Bunting | Hunter Root | Ross Jenkins | Wood Ewe | Ahren

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting is an experimental and eclectic indie psych-pop trio out of Austin, Texas.

The transcendental outfit manifests beautifully wrought alternative lo-fi dream pop that is just as interesting as it is mysterious.

“Reading Wrong/Lavender Mountain” is their latest dual sided single, and is perhaps beyond perfection. It’s a medley that explores mortality and the fragile, finite nature of this beautiful life.

We hope you enjoy Indigo Bunting’s brand new project. And, be sure to keep up with the band on Instagram.

Hunter Root

Hunter Root is an alternative grunge folk artist out of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Amish country.

Hunter Root’s latest track “Talker With A Broken Jaw” was originally a poem, but was eventually transformed into a catatonic medley of blissful elegance. Thank God, because it’s fucking splendid. We hope you dig.

The track is part of an album that was released back on March 1st — dubbed “Life Inside a Wheel”.

The song is quite a departure from many of the other tracks on the album. And in our humble opinion, is absolutely riveting.

Follow Hunter Root on Facebook.

Ross Jenkins

Ross Jenkins is an alternative folk artist out of Vancouver.

Jenkins got his start as a teenager — touring with indie rock veterans. He has also opened and toured with several successful Canadian acts throughout the years.

Here is “Green” — an acoustic lo-fi track off his latest EP also entitled, Green. It’s pretty damn cool.

Ross recorded the project at his home in Vancouver — playing all the instruments and acting as both producer and sound engineer.

The result manifests his usual influences while moving into a new, manic interpretation of rural folk music.

As with his previous project, the Irish inspired artwork was done by the wonderfully talented visual artist, Adam de Souza.

Keep up with Ross Jenkins on Facebook.

Wood Ewe

Wood Ewe is the psychedelic brainchild of Iain Henderson — a Manchester based folk artist dishing up experimental brilliance of a transcendental nature.

“Bonfire March” is both the opening and closing track off Wood Ewe’s self-titled debut EP. Give it a listen, and you’ll see what we mean.

The song is a chilled out, cosmic lullaby that waxes and wanes itself into a dreamy soundscape littered with gravely vocals and pineal-piercing synthesizers. It’s absolutely delectable.

The project was written, recorded, and produced by Iain Henderson, and mixed and mastered by John A. Rivers and Eddy Hewitt at Woodbine Street, in Leamington Spa, UK.

Follow Wood Ewe on Instagram por favor.

Ahren

Ahren is an experimental neoclassical composer out of Zürich, Switzerland.

His music is inspired by tales that his life writes itself.

“Homecoming” is Ahren’s latest release in which he experiments with a unique and more organic sounding piano — fused with emotional strings and a beautiful, yet subtle electronic bass. It’s simply magnificent.

And, please keep up with Ahren on Instagram.

A note from our Distributor

And now, for a limited time, use this link to get 7% off your first year!