Premiere: Big Black Delta’s “Steer The Canyon” Is A Nu Wave Synth Storm

Idolator Staff | March 9, 2016 10:59 am

Back in October, ’80s mall-pop icon Debbie Gibson emerged on Big Black Delta‘s “RCVR,” a pitch-perfect approximation of everything neon and new wave that would win over even those curmudgeons who have tired of this century’s seemingly endless ’80s revival. And now Big Black Delta, the solo project of Mellowdrone frontman and M83 collaborator Jonathan Bates, is back with “Steer The Canyon,” another muscular slice of nu wave that we’re excited to premiere.

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On the new song, cascading arpeggiator pulses balance out airy harmonies, resulting in a high-drama offering. And that makes sense considering the context: “It’s one of the first bits I wrote after losing my old man,” Bates tells us.

It’s off Big Black Delta’s forthcoming sophomore album Trágame Tierra, which is out April 22 (available for pre-order here) and will be accompanied by a tour. Hear the new track and check out the dates below.

May 1 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Cafe May 3 – Dubuque, IA @ The Venue May 4 – Kansas City, MO @ Middle Of The Map Festival May 5 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle May 6 – Detroit, MI @ UFO Factory May 8 – Toronto, ON @ Adelaide Hall (Canadian Music Week) May 9 – Montreal, QC @ Bar Le Ritz May 10 – Burlington, VT @ ArtsRiot May 11 – Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right May 13 – Boston, MA @ Cafe 939 May 14 – Albany, NY @ The Hollow May 15 – Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy May 16 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat May 17 – Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery May 19 – Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret May 20 – Seattle, WA @ Crocodile May 22 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge May 26 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall May 27 – Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room May 28 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent May 29 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah