Badwater

"We want to keep our frontiers unblocked so we can move in any direction," declares Badwater vocalist James Byous. That's exactly what the Los Angeles quartet has done since it first hit the local scene in the summer of 2009. It's one of the reasons why they formed in the first place. Looking for adventure outside of Hollywood's confines, Nor Cal native Byous was about to pick up his guitar and hitchhike around the world. However, he accepted a serendipitous invitation to jam with guitarist Nick Hinton, Nick Zingraf [Bass], and Zack Downes [Drums]. Once they entered the room, they had a proverbial "magic moment" and started cultivating a sound of their own. The group's boundless creative spirit dips into rock, progressive, alternative, psychedelica, and blues, while assimilating each strand into a cohesive vision that's fully realized on their latest album, Drown Me Out. Grooves shake and tumble with effusive bravado, while riffs resound with prowess and power. Badwater also infuses a cinematic sensibility into the lyrics and songwriting. It's a delicate balance between vibrant and vulnerable, and it's utterly undeniable. Byous describes his band's enigmatic style best. "We focus on dynamics," Hinton affirms. "There are shifts in every song that keep things interesting. We're all steeped in classic rock. At the same time, we've got our eyes on the future." Their future begins with Drown Me Out. Recorded over a four-month period starting in November 2011, the band fervently wrote countless songs and recorded everything live. From the Black Sabbath-style wail of "Paranoia" to the anthemic hook of "Unsound" to the ethereal hum of "Outta My Head", the record traverses a diverse territory to say the least. For Byous, there's a distinct lyrical thread tying everything together though. "A lot of the lyrics focus on isolation, uncertainty, fear, and trying to transcend the limitations I felt on myself and my freedom," the singer reveals. "That feeling of alienation is something we all share in common, ironically enough. It's part of the human condition." After releasing more experimental progressive fare on 2010's Wading Through the Shallows, Badwater continued to tighten and hone its sound for their latest offering, yielding intricately accessible songs in the process. Zingraf goes on, "We're getting into deeper water and mining deeper into that rich emotional pay dirt. Over the past three years, we've become closer friends and we're able to collectively search for truth. Drown Me Out is more raw and honest. In that sense, it's akin to a live performance. The album is really indicative of what you'll hear at a show." Live, Badwater continues to impress audiences. They've captivated crowds around Los Angeles from The Viper Room and House of Blues to Harvard & Stone. Ultimately, once you take a drink, you'll be intoxicated by Badwater. "I hope people feel like they experienced something real when they listen to us or see us," concludes Downes. — Rick Florino Support indie artists!