Rising newcomer ASTON is ready to cement herself as one of Australia’s must watch pop acts. With writing credits for Evie Irie, Cosmos Midnight, and AESPA under her belt, she’s laying down the foundations for her own impressive music career. With her debut self-titled EP out now, she has immediately turned heads with her boldly confident sound that fuses together nostalgic 2000’s elements with the hard hitting production that is currently dominating the airwaves.
Each song on the EP takes the listener on a journey through her asserting her confidence in everything she does, and proudly pushing through the heartbreak and pain we all face. And through this process she’s certified that she is in-fact a killer queen.
I recently chatted to ASTON about the empowering energy behind her debut EP, explored the creative processes behind songs like ‘Middle Fingers’ and ‘Heartbreak Club’, and found out why she went with ‘Girl Is A Gun’ for her debut single. Check it out BELOW;
THOMAS BLEACH: Your debut self-titled EP is out now and it’s a very bold collection of attitude filled songs, as well as a euphoric release of vulnerability. What is the most surprising thing you think people are going to hear or get to know about you from listening to this EP in full for the first time?
ASTON: I think overall, people are feeling empowered after listening to the EP. It wasn’t necessarily a goal of mine when putting it together, but It’s always been a part of me personally to make others feel stronger. It’s like the big sister effect.
TB: The angsty and honest new single ‘Middle Fingers’ immediately gives me OG Rita Ora meets Jessie J vibes. So who or what was sonically inspiring you specifically for the references of this track?
A: Thank you! I love both of them. We were inspired production-wise by Dr Dre, but with lyrics and melody, there was no reference. I just remember coming into the studio with all of this tension and anger. I was telling the cowriters, the 87s, that I was sick of saying sorry all the time, and they just said, that’s the opening line of the song.
TB: The accompanying music video sees you portraying an icy heaven and fiery hell version of yourself. Both are amazing looks and total moods. I really liked the contrast that both these versions were delivering the lyrical content, as I interpreted that as you can be “the angel” and still stand up for yourself and say fuck you. Was that the context you wanted to portray for this video?
A: Close! The angel perspective definitely portrays the person I used to be. I was a little more aware of how other people saw me, whereas the hell state which I had to grow into portrays my unapologetic side. Not caring what others think.
TB: The EP closes with the 808 heavy ‘Heartbreak Club’, which sees you celebrating the heartbreak stage of a break-up and encourages a sense of community during this time. Can you explain the creative process behind this track?
A: There’s nothing better than a cry, especially around people that love and support you. I’ve never liked the concept or idea that crying is weak. It’s quite the opposite. It takes a lot of confidence and strength to let yourself be open like that. Heartbreak is a celebration of overcoming heartache while sticking together. No one needs to do it alone.
TB: This is a song that I could imagine being in a rom-com or a coming-of-age teen movie. So if you could place this track in any movie of your choice, what one would you choose and why?
A: Oh, I can’t pick! But, I think it would be cool for it to be in a new movie so I can be surprised.
TB: What were the first and last songs you wrote for the EP? And when you look at your artistic growth between these two songs, what would you say is the biggest thing you learnt about yourself?
A: ‘Girl is a Gun’ was the first, and ‘Firebomb’ was the last. But, I think between both songs, I learnt that I could evolve. Sometimes you wonder if you’ve written the best song, or created the best thing you’ll ever make.
TB: What was it about ‘Girl Is A Gun’ to you that felt like the perfect debut single that showcased what this whole project means to you?
A: It was the first song I ever wrote that stopped me in my tracks. The story felt authentic to my experience, and the sound was exactly what I had been trying to get to for years.
TB: ‘Killer Queen’ is a track that hears you channeling powerful women who do what they want and take no prisoners. Who are some musical Killer Queens that you are obsessed with at the moment that we should discover and get acquainted with?
A: I like Stela Cole these days. I think she’s got a super dope vibe, and it would be great to collaborate with her!
TB: Let’s play a quick game of rapid fire questions about the EP. Are you ready?
A: Always!
TB: The emoji that best describes my debut EP ‘ASTON’ is…
A: I can’t pick so the twin dancing emoji, the crown, the middle finger and the broken heart *laughs*.
TB: The song that is still sitting in my drafts but nearly made the EP was…
A: ‘Love You Like That’ and ‘Oh Mama’.
TB: A lyric on the EP that makes me giggle is…
A: “She say my name, but when she scream it does it sound the same”. It’s a little naughty *laughs*.
TB: The song I’m most nervous to bring into the live realm is…
A: ‘Firebomb’!
TB: The song that went through the most alternate versions was…
A: Honestly, none of them. Most, if not all, sound exactly like it was on the day we originally made them.
‘ASTON’ is out now!