Jon Porras’ dark minimalism unearths intersections between ambient and Americana. According to Thrill Jockey, his forthcoming LP Black Mesa “follows an outlaw wanderer who ventures deep into the desert only to discover the Black Mesa, a bridge between worlds.” For a minute or two, I’m going to imagine that you (yes, you) are that outlaw:
You are wandering through tall grass, following a path cut by a snake and listening to the sound of distant static. You approach a burned barn, and you notice a face floating in a high window. You squint, but the face disappears. Color drains from the land around you until only shades of gray remain. The tall grass dries and shrivels, and a heavy breeze carries the shreds away. You watch the barn for signs of life. The barn bursts into thousands of tiny pieces. The distant static has faded, but now you hear rumbling thunder and the drone of subterranean rock n’ roll. Do you know where you are?
Black Mesa tracklist:
01. Into Midnight
02. Blue Crescent Vision
03. Candlelight Mirage
04. Desert Flight
05. Embers at Dusk
06. Into the Black Mesa
07. Beyond the Veil
• Jon Porras: http://www.myspace.com/jonporras
• Thrill Jockey: http://www.thrilljockey.com
