Atlas Plug
2 Days or Die
Electronic, Electronica, Breakbeat/Breaks, Drum'n'bass, Virtual Orchestra
Tom Salta writes and produces emotionally charged electronic and orchestral music for film, television and video games. Combining his expertise in programming and mixing hit records with the highest production values, Salta creates powerful melodies and hooks with a hybrid of lush orchestral strings, hard-driving percussion and edgy electronic music. As comfortable with live orchestras and choirs as he is with synthesizers, computers, and the latest software, Salta’s epic orchestral score for the top selling Xbox 360 video game Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter was recently nominated for “Best Video Game Score” at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards.
Renowned for his versatility and prolific writing styles, his latest high-profile project includes the captivating musical score for Ubisoft’s exclusive first-person action title for the Nintendo Wii console, Red Steel, drawing from traditional and contemporary Japan for the game’s original soundtrack. Salta’s kaleidoscopic musical score follows the hero’s dramatic journey and immerses gamers in the unique gunplay and swordplay actions set in modern-day Japan.
To ensure the authenticity of the game’s soundtrack, Salta arranged and recorded traditional live Japanese instrumentation including Koto, Shamisen, Shakuhachi and Taiko. The score also features performances from conservatory-trained Japanese opera singers and renowned violinist Lili Haydn. In order to reflect the diverse and Western-influenced soundtrack of fashionable Tokyo, Salta further embellished the soundtrack with a wide spectrum of music styles – such as orchestral, electronic, rock, hip hop, dance, easy listening, jazz, lounge, and Japanese pop – that truly embrace the game’s cinematic story and vibrant locations.
Following his work on Ghost Recon 2 (Main Theme co-writer) Salta was asked by Ubisoft to write the anthemic military-themed orchestral score for Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter (GRAW). Salta wrote all the original music for the game – the first time a Ghost Recon game featured in-game music – and recorded the score with the Northwest Sinfonia Orchestra at the prestigious Bastyr Chapel in Seattle. He also fused electronic sounds into the score to capture the hi-tech feel of the game. In addition to Salta’s MTV VMA nomination, GRAW was also nominated for “Best Audio” and received “Best Game” from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts at the 2006 BAFTA Video Game Awards.
Tom Salta’s other video game scoring credits include original music and remixes for Full Auto 2: Battlelines (Sega), the original scores for Cold Fear (Darkworks/UbiSoft), Still Life (Microids), and Sprung (UbiSoft); original tracks for Get On Da Mic (A2M/Eidos), and the cinematics for Still Life (Microids) and Need For Speed Underground 2 (Electronic Arts).
Recording under the artist name “Atlas Plug,” Salta’s high-energy mix of electronica, orchestral, breakbeat and rock grooves grace many television shows, commercials and film promos including the Volvo S40 ‘Video Game’ commercial, “Making of Spider-Man 2” on HBO, “Making of Anaconda 2” on Cinemax, NBC's “Third Watch,” UPN’s “America’s Top Model,” CBS’ “Joan Of Arcadia,” and MTV's “Making the Video” and “Tough Enough.” His Atlas Plug music has also been licensed for numerous video game soundtracks such as The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (Namco), Project Gotham Racing 3 (Microsoft), ESPN Major League Baseball 2K6 (Take 2), Street Racing Syndicate (Namco) and RalliSport Challenge 2 (Microsoft Game Studios).
Other projects featuring Salta’s engaging and in-demand music include the Position Music Orchestral Series (Volume 1) created especially for motion picture advertising. He also wrote the main theme for The Discovery Channel's “Wild Discovery” and the entire music branding of KTLA, Los Angeles’ Warner Brothers affiliate. Prior to these composing ventures, Salta toured with and worked on releases by a diverse array of artists such as Peter Gabriel, Junior Vasquez, Everything But The Girl, Primer 55, Deep Forest, Mary J. Blige and Sinead O’Connor.
Tom Salta is currently scoring another next-generation title for Ubisoft as well as writing the follow-up to his highly acclaimed debut solo album 2 Days or Die. Tracks from his forthcoming album have already been licensed for several video games. For more information visit www.tomsalta.com.
Electronic: Virtual Orchestra