Collection of Sounds Volume 1 is the first in a four-part series from Anthony Davis AKA Ant, the long-time producer of Atmosphere. Getting an opportunity to discuss music and more with Ant wasn’t on the 2024 Bingo board, as previously he was known to not give interviews. That’s changed, and Cypher Sessions had the honor to sit down and chat with Ant to learn all kinds of interesting tidbits.

Collection of Sounds Volume 1

There are 17 tracks on Volume 1, but if you’re in a hurry it’ll fly by: not a single song reaches three minutes. This first project has a variety of ideas and sounds reminiscent of Atmosphere’s older days. There are some tracks that feel wide open and spacious (Track 8: “This Happened”, Track 12: “That Old Bongo Joint”). Conversely, a few others range between therapeutic (Track 2: “Leather Soul”) and claustrophobic (Track 4: SK15 Fly Strings) at times.

Amongst the tracks produced, there are about four or so that have a narrator. Ant’s musical relationship with his dad led this writer to guess one of them is the narrator. The Twin Cities producer didn’t divulge much when presented this theory:

That is a sample from an undisclosed source, it’s not me or anything. It’s very much how I see things at a certain level; it’s very relatable to me. I kind of use it as a narration throughout the volumes. It’s a narration piece I’ve always wanted to use.

Figuring out what fits where is the central aspect of Ant’s job as a producer. Every artist has a different sound and a different goal or focus when working on new music. Ant succinctly points this out early on:

That’s a lot of what I do, finding the place for ideas throughout the years.

Ant’s done this for other artists for such a long time, and now faced the idea of producing himself. What’s popular and what’s trending is always changing, but at the same time core ideas go in cycles. All of the music released today shows there are listeners for a wide array of tastes; Ant concludes that means there’s a crowd for his stuff, too:

I was also inspired by today’s acceptance, today’s acceptance of all kinds of styles; sonically and stylistically, and there’s an audience for any kind of thing now it seems like. I just didn’t think it’d be interesting enough at one point; but now I’ve changed my tune on that.

Shorter songs are quite acceptable today, whereas a few short decades ago that was not the case. Ant makes mention that such short pieces of music were interludes before. Now, listeners don’t double-take when hearing short musical jaunts.

The creative process & nerding out about storytelling

One thing that arose fairly quickly in preparation for this interview was pondering how much time had passed since these tracks had been made. There were some from the 1990s, some from the 2000s, and still others whose timeframe was unknown. As someone who is tinkering and looking at things from the audience perspective, Ant shared that these tracks had some revisions:

Some of them I did, I added a little something to them. Sometimes I’ll have a track that I’ll make something and do weird sound effects or scratches on, just for fun. I was producing myself; what do I like, what would I want to hear at this moment. If somebody had never heard of me, what would be something interesting to show. 

Looking at as many perspectives as possible gives a fuller picture for both creation and reception of these tunes. A spectrum of listeners from longtime fans to first timers is to be expected. Not everyone necessarily thinks that way but having spent this much time in music will remind creatives to do so.

With all of the music Ant has brought into the world over the past few decades, it brought up the idea of legacy to this writer. It does not sound like Ant was thinking about that, but after some reflection these volumes are a sonic memoir of everything done up until this point:

I guess I hadn’t thought of it like that before, but I do think of it like a CliffsNotes to sounds I’ve done.

These four volumes are a testament to that in instrumental form. These brief excursions of sound give listeners another idea of what this beatmaker can do. Ant has all four volumes thematically ready:

Volume one is a representation of what I’m kinda known for. Volume two is something I’ve really enjoyed making, it’s like the stuff I did with Felt, it’s a little more funky or playful.

The third one is a dub-type style, stuff inspired by that area of music, which I’ve dived into here and there. And then the fourth one is a little bit more of the darker stuff to a degree; not completely dark, but the darker elements to what I’ve done.

Ant goes on to say these are sounds and feelings he’s explored in his music. This part sounded as though it was one of the more challenging aspects of the whole process. Things shift as time goes on. One of those things is storytelling.

Storytelling can happen both lyrically and sonically, and the meshing of the two can create magic. For Ant, what shifts for him is whether he’s feeling storytelling tracks or not. Atmosphere is certainly known for such stories, and just from 2021 to present Ant has shifted from not being into storytelling to now wanting those types of songs. The 2021 album “Word?” prompted such review:

My interest in storytelling songs comes and goes. At that time in 2021, I think my mind was “I’m not really into that right now”. Now at this exact moment in 2024, I’m trying to ask him [Slug] to do more story-style songs. It’s so weird as time goes, and then you go back and forth.  You just change and grow, get nostalgic; I’m big on nostalgia with music.

Ant also shares that music helps him to remember stuff, and it sounds like he utilizes music as a sort of reference point system. Music can become a soundtrack to life as time ticks away. Speaking of music as a measure of time, there were some past projects requiring more info.

Inquiring about side projects & reflecting on Red Rocks

Dynospectrum return unlikely, but maybe Felt?

A meeting of the Hip-Hop minds in the Twin Cities circa 1998 led to the creation of an album called The Dynospectrum. Slug, I Self Devine, Swift, and Sab the Artist were the core members of this collection, with Ant handling the primary production duties. This group put together a 17-track project, which was then expanded to 20 songs on the 20th anniversary vinyl.

The sounds and rhymes you experience on this album feel like a lost treasure of underground Hip-Hop. It seems to have been a lightning in a bottle type of situation. Ant expands upon reuniting years later:

That was definitely a one-time thing. We did get those guys together for a song on the Mi Vida Local album. It came out really great. I was hoping that would be a lightning rod to be another one, but I just don’t think it’s possible now.

Ant goes on to explain how this group of characters are in different places in life, both figuratively and geographically. The demand for such a sequel might not be there. Plus, the project crafted in 1998 was done for a mixture of reasons, with equal parts fun and necessity being the key ingredients. Ant wouldn’t be against a new project at all, but knows it’d be tough to do.

There’s a similar vibe when looking for any updates on a Felt 5 album. Felt projects are primarily in the wheelhouse of Slug and Murs, and the latter appears to be distant from using the mic these days. Ant explains further:

I don’t think so, I think Murs is pretty convinced that he’s retired. Also, I don’t even know if I’d be part of 5; I’m just a hired gun, I did 2 and 4.

It appears difficult to predict who’d produce the fifth project, since Ant himself is stating he doesn’t know. When someone that close to one of the core artists isn’t sure, then it’s likely something in the air to be mulled over down the road. It wouldn’t be surprising if fans of the Felt series supported it the same as the previous iterations, but only time will tell.

Ant is open to being a part of a new installment, though:

There’s no guarantee that I would be the one. I would do it if they asked me, no question about it. I could easily see them asking someone totally not involved in Hip Hop. I doubt it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if something happens one day, ya know? *Laughs* 

One thing that could be closer to a guarantee would have to be Atmosphere’s success at Red Rocks in Colorado. The historic music venue has been the stage for a myriad of acts across the entire musical spectrum for years. Atmosphere has blessed the hollowed grounds twelve times so far; four of those times have been the past four consecutive years.

Perhaps next year the title Atmosphere Rocks 5 becomes the moniker for these music vets, as one half of the duo is in full support:

That would be tight, I can appreciate that.

This veteran producer enjoys playing this venue in the mountains, but had a bit of news to share that was kind of surprising:

I never know if we’re going to be asked back, I never can tell, ya know. I’m all for it. I thought we had an excellent set, and I thought the crowd was really vibing and we had a good lineup of people. This year seemed to be extra special. I don’t know what it was, to me, but this year was one of my favorite ones.

Ant focuses mostly on music, so it isn’t surprising that he isn’t certain a future Red Rocks gig is guaranteed. Slug and whoever else helps with logistics probably has a better idea of what’s next. Ant’s honest and humble words here resonate due to the slight uncertainty behind them.

Morrison, Colorado’s storied amphitheater is routinely packed to the brim for Atmosphere shows. Another show is likely on the horizon. For someone always looking to create, try something new, and seeks very little spotlight, Volume 1 and the subsequent three volumes are another reflection of an artist who does it for the music. It’s highly likely Ant keeps delivering intriguing ideas for years to come.