Mellowdrone Unwraps Box For 3 Records/Red Ink Debut Out March 7, 2006 Mellowdrone Previewing Album With Upcoming Winter Tour

3 Records/Red Ink proudly announce the March 7 release of Mellowdrone?s debut, Box. Produced by Tony Berg (Beck, X), the eclectic 13-song collection captures the Los Angeles-based quartet's mercurial sonic vision.

Led by singer, guitarist and chief songwriter Jonathan Bates, Box shifts effortlessly from moody space-pop that ripples with otherworldly textures ("Limb to Limb" and "Four Leaf Clover") to razor-sharp synth-pop pulsating with dance beats ("Oh My" and "Amazing") to brooding new wave imbued with slyly infectious melodies ("Beautiful Day," "And Repeat" and "Fashionably Uninvited").

"For me a song is never really done because the possibilities are limitless if you start out with a great chord progression and a strong melody," Bates explains. "That's what fascinates me about songwriting once you have the foundation, you can build anything you want on top of it and then you can tear it down and start over again."

"Fashionably Uninvited," the first single from Box, was inspired by Angelo Badalamenti, the acclaimed composer whose music is an integral part of the films by famed director, David Lynch. Much like what Lynch does on film, Bates says "Fashionably Uninvited" is about hiding something ugly underneath something beautiful. Lynch is a subversive genius because he is a master at filming something creepy in a stunning way. This song is a lot of fun because it has a nice, happy melody washing over dark lyrics.

Born in Venezuela, Bates and his parents moved to Miami when he was 7. At the age of 17, Bates earned a scholarship to the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston. A year before graduation, Bates left Berklee, moved to Los Angeles and formed Mellowdrone as a solo project.

On the strength of Mellowdrone's EPs and live performances, renowned guitarist and co-founder of The Smiths, Johnny Marr took Bates on tour with him through the U.S. and Europe in 2003. After the tour, Tony DeMatteo joined Mellowdrone and set out on a never-ending tour that included stints with The Killers, Phantom Planet, Secret Machines, Fire Theft and Elbow. The band signed with 3 Records/Red Ink in early 2005.

"I can't wait to get these songs out on the road with the band? Bates says. I'll be like a kid in the candy store because I'll get a chance to reinvent the songs every night."

Mellowdrone will preview "Box" on the road this winter. Dates to be announced soon.

Box - Tracklisting

Come On Try A Little Bit
Oh My
Four Leaf Clover
Fashionably Uninvited
Beautiful Day
F**k It Man
Whatever The Deal
Madison
And Repeat
Orange Marmalade
Amazing
Bone Marrow
Limb to Limb

For more information log onto: Mellowdrone.com.