Baths
Biography
**Baths**
In the sprawling landscape of electronic music, few artists have managed to craft such an intimate and emotionally resonant sound as Will Wiesenfeld, the creative force behind Baths. Emerging from the bedroom producer scene of the late 2000s, this Los Angeles-based musician has spent over a decade weaving together gossamer threads of ambient textures, glitchy beats, and vulnerable vocals to create something uniquely his own—a sound that feels both deeply personal and universally affecting.
Wiesenfeld's journey began in the San Fernando Valley, where he first started experimenting with music production as a teenager. Drawing inspiration from artists like Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, and Burial, he began crafting delicate electronic compositions that would eventually coalesce into the Baths project. His early work caught the attention of Anticon Records, a label known for championing experimental hip-hop and electronic music, setting the stage for what would become a remarkable artistic evolution.
The release of *Cerulean* in 2010 marked Baths' proper introduction to the world, and what an introduction it was. This debut album established Wiesenfeld as a master of emotional granularity, capable of finding profound beauty in the most minute sonic details. Tracks like "Maximalist" and "Lovely Bloodflow" showcased his ability to layer chopped-up vocal samples, crystalline synth melodies, and intricate percussion into compositions that felt both meticulously constructed and effortlessly organic. The album's title track became something of an underground anthem, its shimmering arpeggios and whispered vocals creating an atmosphere of bittersweet nostalgia that would become a Baths trademark. *Cerulean* didn't just announce the arrival of a new artist; it helped define the sound of what critics would later term "post-dubstep" or "future garage," influencing a generation of bedroom producers and electronic musicians.
Following the success of his debut, Wiesenfeld faced the challenge of evolution without losing the essence that made Baths special. His response came in 2013 with *Obsidian*, an album that saw him pushing his sound into darker, more experimental territories. Where *Cerulean* had been all gossamer and light, *Obsidian* embraced shadow and complexity. The album's centerpiece, "Miasma Sky," demonstrated Wiesenfeld's growing confidence as both a producer and vocalist, featuring some of his most direct and emotionally raw singing to date. The record also showed his willingness to incorporate more traditional song structures while maintaining the intricate production techniques that had made his debut so compelling. *Obsidian* proved that Baths wasn't content to simply repeat past successes but was committed to genuine artistic growth, even if it meant alienating some fans who preferred the ethereal beauty of his earlier work.
The third pillar of Wiesenfeld's artistic journey came with 2017's *Romaplasm*, an album that found him achieving a remarkable synthesis of his previous approaches while exploring entirely new emotional territories. Born partly from his experiences with chronic illness and the resulting introspection, *Romaplasm* featured some of his most vulnerable and direct songwriting. Tracks like "Yeoman" and "Human Bog" showcased a newfound lyrical directness, while maintaining the intricate production work that had always been central to the Baths sound. The album represented a maturation not just in terms of technical skill, but in emotional honesty and artistic vision. It was as if Wiesenfeld had finally found the perfect balance between the dreamy abstraction of his early work and the more grounded, song-focused approach of his middle period.
Throughout his career, Baths has remained a deeply independent artist, moving between labels like Anticon and Ghostly International while maintaining complete creative control over his vision. His influence can be heard in the work of countless electronic artists who have adopted his approach to texture, melody, and emotional vulnerability. He's performed at major festivals and venues worldwide, bringing his intricate studio creations to life through carefully crafted live performances that often feature live vocals and instrumentation alongside his electronic arrangements.
Beyond his work as Baths, Wiesenfeld has remained active in various collaborative projects and has been open about his struggles with health issues, using his platform to advocate for chronic illness awareness. His willingness to incorporate personal struggles into his art has only deepened the connection between artist and audience, creating a fanbase that sees his music not just as entertainment, but as a form of share
