Kirk McKenna aka Blackwidow
I am currently working on my own music and with my band BlackJaq. I am extremely proud and satisfied with the work that we've done together.
I'm currently working on the new BlackJaq CD: Navigate By The Light Of The Glowing Buddha and on our second remix CD: BlackJaq Cafe Vol. 2.
My music is also going to be used as a theme to a new podcast. Keep posted for more information.
Influences
Peter Gabriel, Amethystium, Deep Forest, Enigma, Waterbone, Celestial, Chorus of Tribes, Banco de Gaia
Sounds Like
A combination of world music, techno, electronica and new age.
I have grown up with music all around me. My father, and 2 of my uncles played guitar in rock and jazz bands and my great-grandfather was a master violin maker. My sister performs in her own band, and my brother plays several instruments and is a sometime collaborator on the BlackJaq projects.
I got started making electronic music back in 2002 when I composed my first album, Universal Language. While that CD was far from perfect and will probably never see the light of day, that experience helped me to understand the art of song writing using a computer and keyboards.
In 2004 (after a year and half of creating new music), I finished my second CD, Trusting Instinct and starting releasing singles on the AcidPlanet site. I had my first hit with the C.S. Lewis inspired song, Cair Paravel.
The following CD was Leaving Town, a concept album written about spiritual experiences I've had during my life. The CD was very personal and represented some of my best work to date. Several singles were released on AcidPlanet, and some were even hits.
After Leaving Town was completed I started collaborating with DJ Jax on what would be known as the BlackJaq project. That collaboration resulted in the debut BlackJaq album, Earthly Delights. I also had the opportunity at this time to remix the track, Mindstalking, for the band Lunascape. My name got so much attention on AcidPlanet, that I was called upon by Peter Gabriel and Sarah McLachlan to remix songs for them.
After Earthly Delights was completed, I had a burst of creative energy and composed my newest CD, North Star after only 8 months. This album was a slight change of pace from the past music I've made. I decided to go with a few more blips and straight IDM instead of the techno and house that I usually do. This album generated my biggest hits to date: 2012 and Elsewhere.
At the end of last year, I released several new albums including the BlackJaq CD, Navigate By the Light of the Glowing Buddha, a new remix CD, and two new DJ Blackwidow releases: Lucid Dreams - an experiemental album and a best of compilation entitled, Cosmic Spirit.
My newest release is called The Hall of Records. I'm also in the very beginning stages of a new BlackJaq release as well.
Click below to hear my compilation CD, Zen Cities:
Click below to hear and download my complete CD, Leaving Town:
Click below to hear and download my complete CD, North Star:
