Wightfall's music is not light fare, yet it's a pleasure to listen to his mix of indie/alternative and electro. His album Nine Steps is an Audiotool milestone and convinced even those listeners not otherwise drawn to the darker genres. The emotional impact of his music made a name for itself at the latest with his contribution to the Team AT Work Contest, where he took third place together with Apollo and Nyafae. As we've learned, he currently studies at Oxford University, which has produced bands such as On A Friday, which is undoubtedly among his main inspirations.

Anyway, we'd love to hear more Wightfall music soon.

Interview:

About Jack Barta aka Wightfall

I'm from GA, USA. I currently attend UGA/Oxford through a transfer program, studying philosophy and religion (of all things). I started on Audiotool when I was 12 after googling "make music for free," and I fell in love with the site; I was closer with some of my friends on AT in that early time than my real-life friends (they will remember Spartans/spartac!!!). For fun nowadays I play shows in Athens with my new band, 'Bad Ticket,' and blacksmith knives in my backyard. I'm not sure yet if I will go feral or become a serious academic but I'll keep you updated.

Describe the style of music you produce

Sad post-rock, unless it's angry post-rock.

What is your musical background and when did you start making music?

My parents were musicians and I got their genes, I guess. I started doodling on the piano when I was 8 or so and have taught myself a variety of instruments since. But Audiotool is really where my composing/producing skills were developed, and where I've got nearly all of my helpful feedback from over the years.

What is your favorite Audiotool device and why?

Pulsar-delay is nuts, frankly I would not sound cool without it.

What is your favourite trick in AT/What technique do you always use?

PD with LFO + Reverb for soundscaping. Makes everything purdy.

Have you ever had a writer's block? If so, how did you deal with it and what do you recommend to your colleagues?

I've had years-long periods of creative drought. I've found Nick Cave has good advice on this, paraphrased— 'Block is going to happen, so don't say to yourself "I'll just wait for inspiration to come back," because it won't without your encouragement. Force yourself to listen to new things, think about new things, write about new things even when you have no inspiration. And inspiration will come.' Live/breathe the world you want to write about, and the words will come. You'll be a better person for it too.

What has helped you the most on Audiotool to improve and widen your musical horizon?

Being friends with people and getting community critique. It has helped immensely to get criticism because—whether I'm grateful or genuinely offended by it—it's all I have to gauge my effectiveness as a producer by. Working now IRL with some people who have ~not~ ever received harsh criticism makes this extra apparent... hehe :)

What do you like most about Audiotool? Is there anything you would like to suggest?

How easy it is to just login, boot up from any computer, and get going. That portability and free access is really amazing. Recording still presents difficulties though, with occasional stutters and a slightly clunky sample/copyrightextt system. If that were streamlined (though it already has been immensely, compared to the old system) I would have basically no reason to use any other platform.

Your message to the community:

Listen to everything

Social/Musical Links:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wightfall/

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/3wLNmKdqqy3rjGRZY7PgvR

Edition Audiotool Album

Track #1:

Four Hundred by opaqity

Seems like everyone cites Opaq but it's for good reason; absolutely foundational music. I don't think I learned more about music (through observation) from anyone else in the community. Opaq has always touched deep emotional nerves, and this era in particular remains very dear to me.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/four_hundred/]]

Track #2:

Obsidianschwarz - A Dragon Named Cuddlex by Reverent

Only the re-upload of this track on Reverent remains (to my knowledge), but Cuddlex was AT sound-design par excellence. Unmatched textural sensibility (on old flash AT!) and a wicked sense of humor to boot. This track inspired me to work on my sound far beyond where I ever thought it could go

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/obsidianschwarz_-_a_dragon_named_cuddlex/]]

Track #3:

detroit by looks

I've come back to this song over and over again, Lux is a huge inspiration melodically, tonally, and rhythmically (and the poem kills it every time).

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/detroit-ay0xkkm/]]

Track #4:

VVV by Xavi

I ripped off so much from Xavi when I was younger, chord structure and chops, drum work, song structure, etc., probably more than from anyone else (and from this song more than any other). While I've moved away from that sound now, I can't deny that it's been central to my production and my growth as an artist.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/vvv-9kfrqxx/]]

Track #5:

you were plastic by amoeba

So much emotion here, and beautiful sound design. I definitely copy-pasted the lead synth and some percussive elements for my own tracks. Amoeba's a monument of ambient for me, one of those unattainable goals of production.

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/you_were_plastic/]]

Track #6:

Myrrh - (II) by Wightfall

I've had a lot of 'sounds' over the years but this track is the first where I felt I adequately represented both the electronic and post-rock elements of my style. Everything since has gravitated back to this sound (though my voice has improved, I like to think).

[[EMBED:https://www.audiotool.com/track/eqw0yadvg5/]]

Full Album

Edition Audiotool: Wightfall

• a-records

35

about 2 years ago

1		Four Hundred opaqity	opaqity	15968
2		Obsidianschwarz - A Dragon Named Cuddlex Reverent	Reverent	1142
3		detroit looks	looks	22118
4		VVV Xavi	Xavi	7293
5		you were plastic amoeba	amoeba	11241
6		Myrrh - (II) Wightfall	Wightfall	302