Originally from Texas, Ashton Traitor has been releasing somber, emotionally charged singles for over a year now. After watching the visuals for his mournful track “on my own” I was instantly hooked by the artist who failed to show his face in his own music video. I had to find out more, and got the enigmatic artist to open up about being a perfectionist, projects he is working on, how he chose his name, and more.
UU: Where are you from, and what was your childhood like growing up there?
Ashton Traitor: I’m from Texas. It was isolated and I lived far from everything so I stayed in my room most of the time.
Was it the isolation that drove you to make music?
Maybe, I was just always on my computer, and got into it that way since I would obsess over catchy music.
What would you listen to back then?
Back then I would listen to mad autotune rap stuff like Lil Wayne, pop punk stuff. I didn’t have a wide range of stuff I would just listen to same songs on repeat. I still do.
Who do you listen to on SoundCloud these days? Who are some of your favorite peers?
There’s too many to list, so much good stuff on there. Some of my favorites would be Dylan Brady, nothing,nowhere., and Eric North.
So when did you decide that you wanted to pursue music full time?
Probably 2 to 3 years ago. It was so addicting, I wanted to do it all the time.
Let’s talk about your name – how did you come up with Ashton Traitor?
Ashton is my favorite name, and Traitor I don’t know. I have always felt like I didn’t need anyone and love doing stuff by myself, so it fit.
So have you ever done anything that would make you a “traitor” by definition?
I’ve left people I didn’t need behind for myself if that counts.
I’d say it does. The theme of being isolated seems to come up quite a bit. Is that what inspired your track “on my own”? What was that song about?
I need to be alone, like if I don’t I slowly start to lose it. When I’m alone I can recollect myself. I made on my own” in like 15 minutes one morning, the song was about being homesick, missing my mom, and being alone.
I have always felt like I didn’t need anyone and love doing stuff by myself, so it fit.
So let’s talk about the music video for that track for a second. How did you link up with videographer Fox Beach, and what made you decide to not show your face? And what about that chocolate bar?
I’m so happy that video is out there, we shot that together last summer in Manhattan and I loved every second of making it. I remember Fox Beach hit me up about my last music video and we linked up from there. I showed him an original concept video I had shot for on my own and we just worked together from there to shoot the real thing. I just never [showed my face], so I ran with it, and I like it better that way. Have seen the anime death note? I got [the chocolate bar] from a character on there *laughs*
I’m also curious, you have a significant following, yet only 5 tracks on SoundCloud. Did you delete old tracks?
Yeah I’ve deleted a lot of tracks because they didn’t match with the style of stuff I make now. I had remix stuff and did a lot of producing for other artists.
Interesting, do you continue to produce or do you prefer vocals?
Yeah I’m most definitely still producing, my debut project will be self produced. I’m trying to find a good balance between both, but lately I’ve been working on more vocals.
Do you have a name set for the project yet?
I’ve had the name for over a year, but don’t want to give it out yet *winks*
Can you tell me a little bit about the project? What are you trying to convey to your listeners in the album?
Its up to whoever listens to interpret it how they want, since it’s an emotional project. There’s the same themes as my other stuff, basically whatever is going on in my head is exactly what you’ll hear on there.
What has been the most challenging aspect of making this album? What’s the most difficult thing about being an artist in general?
Trying to perfect it and making something I’m really satisfied with and something that’s special to me is difficult. I don’t know, I’m a perfectionist so I have over 20 versions of songs. That and being able to set my head right in the first place to work on music are probably the most challenging part. I’m me so I’ve always been an artist, I’ve always loved working on projects and what not, so if you really love something it doesn’t make it difficult. Maybe the hardest part would be being a perfectionist since I have so many songs just collecting dust on my hard drive because I feel they aren’t good enough.
I love creating something from nothing.
That’s definitely something that is difficult as an artist – you’re your own worst critic. What is a song you ARE really proud of, and why?
Exactly. These are good questions. “BLOW IT OFF” is something I’m super proud of, because it’s self produced, and I shot and edited the video for it. That song was in the making for around 2 years, so when it all finally came together and I put it out I was so proud. It proved that I know enough and am good enough to put out cool stuff by myself. That’s why I’m also super excited for my self produced tracks – I love creating something from nothing.
So if you produce something from nothing, do you sample, or literally start from nothing?
Both, picking out the right sample and incorporating it right can be from scratch too in my opinion.
That’s awesome. What’s your preferred DAW/setup?
It doesn’t matter, you can make cool stuff on any setup.
What would be your advice to an aspiring artist?
Time is the only thing that matters. Anyone can do this. All it takes is time management, sacrificing to make time and making every hour count, whether that’s learning, practicing or creating. Don’t be afraid to be more selfish and be more impatient.
Do you have any collaborations coming up?
Yeah definitely, but I don’t want to speak on them because I never know what will come out and what won’t.
Anything that you can hint at?
I got some cool video stuff in the works, been working on music videos and short film stuff that i want to put out soon.
If you could give one final message to your fans what would it be?
If you’re watching me now then you’re so early on this journey with me, I’m going to be putting out a lot more content, watch what I’m going to do and watch how I’m going to do it.
special thanks to @99foxbeach