Heard It Here First

Tahoe-based artist, KOWTA, is an extremely unique producer, with a discography that spans genres and emotions. His unique take on production has landed him sets at festivals like Lightning In A Bottle, Santa Cruz Music Festival, Emissions, and countless more. More recently, he played a set at the Birds Eye View, CharlestheFirst birthday event, at Cervantes Masterpiece, in Denver, Colorado.

He has an impeccable, versatile sense when it comes to creating, and we can hear that loud and clear on his latest release. The story behind the project makes the music it houses that much sweeter.

Last year while on vacation, he unfortunately lost multiple files he had planned to release due to his computer crashing, but something beautiful came from that pain. He was able to salvage a handful of tracks, but due to the state of the files, after everything that happened with the crashed computer, he was unable to edit them any further. But, that is what makes this release, The Lost Archives, so wonderful. It shows there can be beauty even in the madness, and incredible things can come together after they fall apart. Here’s what KOWTA had to say:

“When I realized I had lost all my projects the only thing I could think or feel was that I wish I had just pushed that music out instead of sitting on it for so long. If I learned anything from this experience it’s that art isn’t supposed to be perfect, not take this music scene so seriously, and drop the insecurities and share your art. We don’t have long here after all.” – KOWTA

This ten-track album is full of collaborations with JLEON and Zaterday, as well as other solo creations from KOWTA. Each musical effort found in The Lost Archives feels like a representation of different mental spaces and physical locations. “Infinity” feels like floating through Tahoe, with crystal blue waters sparking below and a bluebird day above. The drum and bass elements mixed amongst the strumming of a guitar add even deeper layers of raw feelings.

“Missing The Blue” with JLEON feels like a mix of emotions, just like the ebbs and flows we go through in life. It’s a real reminder of the light that can be found within the darkness. Following similar themes, “In My Head” has these tender, yet intense elements, just like moments where we can’t seem to escape our own negative thoughts, but there is always a voice, although it may not seem as loud, inside all of us telling us to keep going.

“Become One” with Zaterday and JLEON leans on the heavier side of things, with a deep bassline and melody that would set any dancefloor and system it touched aflame. It really shows off the versatility KOWTA hones when it comes to creating, as well as the different sensations that come from listening to the album as a whole.

The Lost Archives is a beautiful collection of frequencies, touching different genres and highlighting the incredible producer that KOWTA is. Make sure to give it a listen and tell us which tracks are your favorites in the comments!

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