ZTalent Interview #7: Attabotty

Welcome, everyone, to this exciting interview with the incredibly talented AttaBotty! An audiovisual artist and electronic music storyteller, AttaBotty is driven by the pursuit of contemporary mystic expression, philosophical inquiry, and metaphorical truth. Known for his immersive experiences that blend theatrical visuals, sonic effects, and captivating music, he takes his audience on a journey to the heart of his art’s message. AttaBotty's diverse repertoire includes 2D/3D animations, live instrumental elements, EDM, lo-fi, and cinematic orchestra. His videos have collectively garnered over 200k views, with recognition from internet heavyweights like @TomShawEntertainment, @MissMalindaKat, and @Cloud9pethotel. Since joining Web3 in May 2022, he has minted and sold 37 NFTs, collaborated with over 10 Web3 artists, and won several accolades, including the 1st place prize for the inaugural Hives Vibes Music Competition in March 2024.

AttaBotty has also been an amazing member of the ZAO community, playing a huge part in making ZaoPalooza a success as an event coordinator, DJ, and performer. Today, we have a group of passionate individuals ready to ask AttaBotty some intriguing questions. Let’s dive in!

Daniel Obute: How has Web3 music changed your life? Any plans on touring?

AttaBotty: Entering Web3, I realized it was a completely different playing field compared to Web2. In Web3, I was able to forge genuine connections with people, unlike in Web2, where the environment felt more self-centered and less interpersonal. Web3 fosters a community of collaborative minds, opening up opportunities that I hadn't encountered elsewhere. Attending events in this space feels like a form of touring, yet I also aspire to go on a traditional music tour.

Tej: What if you're stuck on an island and you can only pick one artist to make music with for the rest of your life, who would that artist be?

AttaBotty: Jacob Collier because he’s probably super adventurous like me (if not more). We'd have some fun.

Tej: Imagine you lost all your music from your computer, which particular song of yours will you miss the most and why?

AttaBotty: "Fun in the Rain" is a track I created when my son was three. It features original recordings of him at that time and it is very special to me.

Heather/CC: What would you like to see happen in Web3 with your career in the next 3 years?

AttaBotty: I aim to build a strong community and perform live interactive dome shows with a group of talented individuals, where we can all showcase our talents together.

Heather/CC: What do you hope your impact on Web3 will be?

AttaBotty: I find Web3 to be a perfect conduit of deep artistic expression. The nature of this digital movement and its pioneering morale mark the perfect conditions, in my mind, for a psychological revolution. I want to help be a part of that.

While many people have recently seen my playful side through my meme videos, I also have a body of serious work that I am passionate about.

My goal is for these pieces to inspire others to find beauty and meaning in life. I want to create art that challenges many stubborn and mindless beliefs that lessen our willingness and ability to participate in life.

I am a very spiritual person; however, I do not practice any established religion. And my art is the same way. No religion, just thoughts, sounds, and symbols. What they mean to the viewer may be guided, but it is not controlled. I want to spark reflection and point towards the way I’ve found sanctuary in my mind.

Candy: What is your dream project? Is there somewhere you want to see your work or someone you want to work with?

AttaBotty: My dream project right now is to finish my album “Reflections” and perform it live in dome venues. I want to immerse the audience completely in visuals and music.

Candy: Be honest, does your wife have better ideas than you? 😉 lol

AttaBotty: Haha I sometimes feel this, yes. My wife always has wonderful ideas; in fact, some of our first (and my favorite) projects together were her original concepts. Our dynamic allows us to really nurture each other's creativity. Anything we make is a result of a highly collaborative process, where we build off each other’s ideas and find ways to bring them to life. I’m eager for everyone to see the ideas she has cooking right now!

Candy: What is the hardest part about working for yourself and how do you overcome or deal with those obstacles?

AttaBotty: The most challenging aspect is the financial inconsistency. There are periods when I have plenty of clients and others when I don't. During the slower times, I focus on personal projects and collaborations to build my brand and catalogue. However, when clients return, I have to set those projects aside to fulfill my contractual obligations.

OhnahjiB: What are all of the instruments that you can AND have tried playing?

AttaBotty: Hahaha

• Piano/keyboard/synthesizer/sampler

• Whistling

• Singing

• Tuvan throat singing

• Overtone singing

• Yodeling

• Acoustic guitar

• Classical guitar

• Electric guitar

• Dulcimer

• Bass guitar

• Banjo

• Native American style flute

• Bansuri flute

• Pan flute

• Concert flute

• Saxophone (alto, tenor, bari)

• Clarinet

• Trumpet (not very good)

• Darbuka

• Djembe

• Frame drum

• Marching tenor drums

• Bass drums

• Cymbals

• Bells (glockenspiel)

• Crotales

• Marimba

• Vibraphone

• Xylophone

• Tube bells (chimes)

• Beat pad (finger drumming)

• Drumset

• Singing bowl

• Mbira

• Didgeridoo

• Violin (not good)

• Viola (not good)

• Cello (not good)

OhnahjiB: What is your favorite Web3 music platform so far?

AttaBotty: For its simplicity, Zora is looking like my favorite right now.

OhnahjiB: What would you build right now if you had unlimited resources?

AttaBotty: I would build a live performance show to tour at planetariums around the country.

I would get visual gear to project my animations and visuals onto the dome ceilings. I would get all the gear to perform my music live (drum pads, mics, synthesizers, samplers, laptops, mixer, cables), book a list of planetariums across the country (US), and hire a traveling crew.

Hurric4n3ike: What inspired you to become a producer?

AttaBotty: Before becoming a producer, I composed orchestral music and studied to be a film composer. I also have a love for EDM and have always wanted to mix the two genres together. When I was younger, I would say my composing was good at the time, but my production (recording, mixing/mastering) skills were terrible haha. In addressing this deficit, I ended up falling in love with music production. And because of my experience as a composer, I knew how to direct a production and link all the pieces together. So it was a natural evolution from composition in my eyes. What got me into composition was my brother Jeff. He’s a real G and sold me on how awesome music was when I was super young.

Hurric4n3ike: What is your most ideal life?

AttaBotty: I'm living it! Can't imagine a better way, which is just the way I like it. It's all one big surprise. My life, my surroundings, my illnesses, and where it’s all led me. I never planned on living life as I am and pursuing my dreams in this way.

But it's super fun! I love this quote from Seneca, "Ducunt volentem fata, nolentem trahunt," which means "Fate leads the willing and drags the rest."

It's a philosophy I hold dear to my heart, and I do my best to be a willing player.

Davyd: What’s the main goal for your career?

AttaBotty: I want to create art that moves people to participate in life! Through my life experiences, I have landed in a place where my mind is my sanctuary. I wish to make art that points in that direction.

I come from a background where many loved ones close to me either battled with or succumbed to addiction. It's one of the great things, along with my own illness, that pushed me into considering the importance of mental health.

There is incredible confusion and sadness in this world and much of it spawns from a lack of mental health awareness and deep genuine reflection.

My aim is to bring people's attention closer to a reflective state of mind by pulling them into the nuances of everyday life. Often, we are drawn to the facades we construct around ourselves, making it easier to overlook the subtleties beneath the surface. I want to challenge this by presenting unconventional ideas that prompt viewers to reconsider various subjects (especially the ones that chain them to despair). I aspire to elevate these concepts into fine art where everyone can explore them and benefit from their message.

Davyd: If you can collab with someone that inspires you, who would it be?

AttaBotty: Joe Hisaishi. Currently my favorite composer. Listen to his work with Studio Ghibli and you'll totally understand. 😄

Thank you, AttaBotty, for taking the time to share your insights and experiences with us today. Your journey in the world of music and Web3 is truly inspiring, and we look forward to seeing where your creative pursuits take you next. To all our viewers and listeners, thank you for joining us in this enlightening conversation. Stay tuned for more exciting interviews and updates from AttaBotty and the world of Web3 music. Until next time, keep the music alive!