Originally getting his start in music after playing video games, the enigmatic artist wastemytime bounced around in various bands before finally pursing a solo career. The often reserved musician opens up on the meaning behind his name, the concepts behind his upcoming projects, and how music is his end all be all.
UU: So your name is pretty self-explanatory, but can you elaborate on it?
wastemytime: it’s the pseudonym I chose because it’s relevant to my life thus far. Whether it be the pursuit of romance or my aspirations or a financially stable career/life, I’ve always felt like I’m wasting my time or others are by putting my interests on standby. My parents both worked so I was alone most of the time and I was bullied and teased quite frequently which messed me up emotionally and psychologically. I found an escape through video games, anime, manga and music.
UU: What really inspired you to pursue a career in music?
It all stems back to playing video games. I never really had friends as a child so my gaming consoles were my bastion. Playing Final Fantasy IX changed my life forever as the music written by Nobuo Uemtasu hit me with emotional wave after wave as I progressed in the game. It inspired me and I decided to pursue a musical career when I was 15 as soon as I got more invested in the metal and hip hop scenes a decade ago. Music is my life and purpose and it’s the way I can openly express myself and allow myself to be heard. Without it, I’d be dead.
UU: Why do you think people should listen to your music over other artists?
I try to be versatile with my music and put a lot of emotion into whatever I release. I also try to be ambiguous with the concepts or lyricism which I don’t see much of lately in this style.
I’ve always felt like I’m wasting my time or others are by putting my interests on standby
UU: You released “self-titled” and “emotionally unavailable” is about to hit 20k. How does that make you feel?
I am honestly astounded by how well my music has been received. I have been in many bands since I started my career and the support and love that has been given to me these last four months (knowing I finally pursued a three year old idea/ambition) has been surreal to me. It might not be much of an accomplishment when compared to some of the more popular artists in this scene but I appreciate each and every person who streams my music, buys merch and sends me kind messages. Knowing people enjoy the music has been much more enriching to me personally than the stream numbers have, although both have given me the confidence to keep creating new music.
UU: You love your supporters, but do you think that “followers” matter?
It all depends on the individual themselves. Some believe in quality over quantity. A few loyal supports over thousands of fickle ones who will eventually move on. I appreciate everyone for just giving me the time of day just to listen to my music. At the end of day, I think they matter when it comes to reaching more people and expanding ones project but regardless of how many people I reach, if I’ve brought joy to one person, that’s enough.
UU: So if your music career doesn’t work out, what do you plan on doing?
Music is my passion and the reason I’m still existing and as dark as this might sound, I would probably end my life without it.
UU: That’s really deep… how would you describe yourself ?
I’m just an ordinary guy with idiosyncrasies and problems like everyone else, who just so happens to express himself through his music. A metaphorical waste who’s always in a constant battle of nihilism and existentialism.
UU: You clearly love music. Whether they just love listening to it, or if it’s their creative outlet, do you think a lot of people underestimate what music does for people?
Art will always be underestimated by some and even by hypocritical means when it comes to differing genres and ideals. Sound is the catalyst for music and it invokes a response through many. One purpose of art is to put your very being into what you create to elicit a response through emotion. Our brains are complex and just the fact that we can enjoy vibrations/sound waves no matter how loud, rash, melodious or aggressive they are is astounding.
UU: You are very intelligent and it’s really an honor to be talking this deeply with you, do you feel like your peers act very differently from you?
Everybody’s different and I have had the pleasure of becoming cool with some artists like nothing,nowhere., Shinigami, YungJZAisDead and even artists outside of the style/genre who are quite the characters, but I think that’s part of the art. It would be very boring if everyone acted the same or had the same ideals or personality traits
Music is my passion and the reason I’m still existing and as dark as this might sound, I would probably end my life without it.
UU: I need to know, what is next for wastemytime?
For now I’m working on creating some single tracks with artists I enjoy from the scene. I’m currently working on a song titled, “bungee gum” using a beat produced by Shinigami that I’m looking forward to releasing , since it’s a gift for all my female (including trans women) listeners that will be released on Valentine’s day.
Album wise, the concept is gritty and dark. Influenced by Yoshihiro Togashi’s manga “Hunter X Hunter’s Yorknew/Dark Continent” arcs, visually. Musically, I’m heading in the direction of using natural instruments and no samples and I am thinking of making use of 7-8 string guitar’s tuned to G sharp and replacing the bass with a bass guitar tuned to the same tuning. It might be less conceptual but more nihilistic which will be a nice change of pace from the wholesome stuff I have been releasing recently.
UU: Please tell me more about your albums – what was an aspect you were focusing on portraying to your fans?
For the first album, it’s pretty much ambiguous when it comes to the songs themselves list wise but the concept has a lot of symbolism. It references the Evil Dead 2 where Ash is fighting off the demons in that cabin in the woods. My concept has my demons in the form of depression, hardship, bullying, being molested as a child and many other intrusive thoughts and experiences. It’s a story about a boy who’s only form of protection from these metaphorical beasts is a lantern keeping them at bay with light that represents hope, compassion, kindness and faith. The kerosene is running out of this lantern though as time goes on because the shadows and darkness looming around the cabin that represents my mind slowly becomes possessed and becomes a monster itself. The boy escapes from the cabin but can’t leave the forest which represents my body. Because the monsters would devour him and he would cease to be. He waits on the steps of the wooden home and reminisces on his life as the lantern slowly dies out and the ending of the album is open for interpretation. Maybe the boy found a solution, maybe he died. It’s up to the listener to decide. To put themselves in the boys shoes and decide for themselves. Do I wanna live and fight for even a little bit of happiness? Or give in?
The next album will center around myself in a dark city rather than a forest and the concept is still a work in progress, but will have overtones of nihilism and I will be taking my time on it as to release something I’m happy with. Each character I am portrayed as will represent a piece of myself and eventually in time, the puzzle will be complete.
UU: I love how deep and open you have been with me, you are honestly a rare breed and us at Underground Underdogs know that you will achieve great things and gain everything you want for yourself. Please continue making good music and putting your soul into this, because it is so obvious that you do.
Thank you so much and I appreciate you all a lot and I’m glad you decided to interview me!