Experimental Genius Absofacto Is a Game Changer in Modern Radio [Q&A]

An exceptionally forward-thinking project, Absofacto is the brainchild of Jonathan Visger that incorporates dynamic elements of art rock and electronic stylings. Absofacto refuses to be restricted by genre categories, and he prides himself on evoking as much emotion through his experimental discography as possible. His breakout hit single, "Dissolve" is more than enough to convince you that Absofacto is truly a game changer in modern radio.

As Absofacto continues to his genre-bending journey to success, it's about time we chatted with him about  "Dissolve," Bigfoot, and his eclectic sound.

OTW: How did you first become interested in music?

Absofacto: I was a skater kid that fell in love with music first as an extension of skate culture. Rap and punk went kind of hand in hand with it. At a certain point I realized I was terrible at skateboarding and started learning instruments and writing songs and it quickly became such a huge part of me that I never stopped.

OTW: Your eclectic soundscape doesn't necessarily fit neatly under one genre... How would you describe your musical sound to those who are unfamiliar?

Absofacto: I really think genre lines are the most boring thing in music, trying to impose constraints on artists or marginalize the depth of their creations. The world is a huge mixing pot of beautiful cultures, and I think everything new and exciting happens when they cross-pollinate. My sound draws from whatever I want whenever I want, but it’s unified by the feelings it creates. Something that hits you in an emotionally complex way and takes you to another place.

OTW: Your career really blew up with your hit single, "Dissolve." Did you expect that song to take off the way it did?

Absofacto: A close friend of mine loves to remind me that when I first made it, I sent it to him and said that this was a special one… but I never expected it to be lifted to the heights it’s currently reaching. The way visual creators have made the song their own across so many platforms (traveling from AMVs to Flipnote to aesthetic edits to TikTok) has been stunning to watch.

OTW: What's your favorite song you've ever written?

Absofacto: It tends to be whatever the newest one is! Right now that would be my upcoming songs "PYTHON" and "Dive In." But "Dissolve" changed my life so much forever that it gets the crown for now.

OTW: Can you describe your creative process behind Thousand Peaces (EP 2017)?

Absofacto: I like every song to have three main elements: A sense of place, a particular emotion behind it, and some kind of metaphor or conceit to give it unique color. When you find three things that have chemistry between them like that, it just becomes a lyrical playground from there.

OTW: Who are your biggest musical influences?

Absofacto: I tend to be a huge fan of a particular type of genre-blending artist. It’s genuinely hard for me to narrow it down. Gorillaz, Joji, Childish Gambino, Mura Masa, Kanye, Frank Ocean, Radiohead, Kid Cudi, A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, Billie, Bjork, Tame Impala, Kali Uchis, and Rihanna (specifically her last album Anti). I could go on and on. Basically anyone who paints outside the lines and treats visuals as being equally important to the music.

OTW: You recently tweeted: "All my songs are lowkey about Bigfoot." Can you come up with a catchy lyric that incorporates "Bigfoot" into it?

Absofacto: Hahaha, well… that was the most random off the cuff tweet in response to something a fan said. How about:

That’s just how it goes / Life just isn’t fair / (but) Bigfoot doesn’t know / (and) Bigfoot doesn’t care

OTW: If you could collaborate with anyone in the music industry, who would you pick?

Absofacto: I’m already lucky enough to collaborate with my favorite songwriter, Kosuke Kasza, pretty much daily… but outside of that I’d say Tyler, Childish Gambino, or Joji.

OTW: What exciting projects do you have in the works?

Absofacto: I have a few new songs coming that I’m manically excited about. And equally hyped to make gorgeous videos for each too.

OTW: Who are your Ones To Watch?

Absofacto: ARY, NIKI, Roderick Porter, Aries, Octavian, Lolo Zouai, NION, Silver Spheres, KIAN.

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