Photo: AttA (a.k.a. Jon Jackson) / Courtesy
Local producer Jon Jackson will release a new collection of music in Fayetteville next week.
Jackson, who performs under the name AttA, is set to celebrate the release of his first full length album titled Intraspacial on Wednesday, February 8 at George’s Majestic Lounge.
AttA has been on the forefront of the growing local EDM scene, and has shared the stage with the likes of Buku, Manic Focus, Filibusta, Archnemesis, Perkulat0r, Fractal Sky, and others in recent years.
We got in touch with Jackson to talk about the new album, the state of the local music scene, and his release party this week that will also feature music by NO.FACES and Vulpî.
Here’s what he had to say.
What have you been listening to lately?
AttA Album Release Party
When: Wednesday, Feb. 8
Where: George’s Majestic Lounge
What: Performances by AttA, NO.FACES and Vulpî
Tickets: $5, on sale at Stubs.net
Jackson: I’ve been really stuck on a bunch of up and comers lately. Defunk, my homie SoDown in Denver, Dreamer’s Delight. I’ve been a big fan of Clozee who just came through town last week for some time. Bigger name influences include Griz (always in rotation), Space Jesus, and Herobust are some that come to mind.
Tell us a bit about how you get started making music?
Jackson: I started playing guitar years ago with my Dad. That eventually transitioned into some high school indie bands which then finally resulted in my taking my career solo with electronic music. I was influenced by a handful of the local dj’s about 5 or 6 years ago and began writing beats. Since then I just haven’t stopped doing that, and now I’m lucky enough to have met some of the best friends of my life. Every day I meet new people and find new inspiration to channel into my tunes.
How do you perceive the music scene in Fayetteville right now?
Jackson: I see so much potential in this area. When I first started producing, I knew of maybe one or two other people doing it, though I’m sure there were more. Since then, things have seemed to kind of explode. With local production companies like Beatnik Generation and weekly residencies like those held by No Faces (my roommate, Oscar Torres), the electronic scene has seen a major resurfacing and I feel the potential to take it onward and upward is insanely high. I hope to be a part of the evolution of that and to help take original music in this area forward. I love all the new faces that are constantly popping up at our gigs and the general support you see from that community. It’s on a whole different level than the shows I was a part of in high school 10 years ago.
You’ve shared the stage with some pretty big acts lately. What have been some of your favorite shows so far?
Jackson: Oh man, I think opening for Manic Focus and Wick it the Instigator last year was a true highlight. I’ve been a long time fan of both of those guys and so it was a true honor to get to swap stories and just talk about the nuts and bolts of writing music. Another big highlight was performing at Backwoods Music Festival this year just after Vibesquad, another act I’ve loved for years. The show was remarkable also because I was perched up in a treehouse stage a good 30 feet in the air. I was joined by fellow artistic collaborators, Ryan Viser and Fayetteville local, Ali Jewell on a few songs as well which I plan on doing more of in the future.
What can you tell us about the new album?
Jackson: I’ve been writing an album over the past year. I’ve only ever released shorter EP’s in the past which generally clocked in around 5 songs or less. The past year was one of intense social emotion, and we all responded in our own way. This 9 track LP, entitled ‘Intraspatial’ is my response to everything I’ve seen and experienced. The narrative is highly interpretive, and is simply musical expression of highs and lows. The cover depicts a person walking into the dunes of desert surrounded by mountains. That image represents a moment last year when I spent a day in the sand dunes of Colorado by myself just exploring and reflecting. The dunes would literally change shape before my eyes as the wind blew harder the higher I climbed. Everything changes in time, and often much faster than we tend to realize. The album includes several collaborations with Ali Jewell, a local vocalist I met when trying to seek out singers. We hit it off right away and began making music. There will definitely be more collabs with her coming on the horizon. The album also includes fellow artists, Ryan Viser on trumpet, and Evan Alvarado of the Irie Lions on keys on a couple tracks. I love working with others and so this gave me a great opportunity to start exploring that. Some collabs work and some don’t, so it feels great to see these come to fruition.
You’ve got a release party on Feb. 8. Tell us a bit about that.
Jackson: The album release party is something I’m ecstatic about! I have never really had a headlining gig before, especially at the legendary George’s Majestic Lounge. Fayetteville’s own production company, Vibes Creation Co and I are collaborating to make this an electronic show infused with artistic flavor, soulful and eclectic mixes, and live saxophone of course! I will be joined by my homies No Faces and Vulpi as support. We will have local visual artists Photophilic rocking an especially crafted live visual performance as well during the event. The show is taking place on February 8th, the same day the album will release. Admission is $5, and tickets can be purchased ahead of time via Stubs.net or at the door day-of-show.
