Weaving unbounded confidence and pop-rock ethos into her songs, ASTON is one of today’s most sought-after newcomers in the music industry. Born to be an artist, her captivating voice was made known to the world after the Australian heroine made an appearance on 2019’s Fast and Furious: Hobbs and Shaw soundtrack with “Next Level,” subsequently garnering millions of plays.

This past year, ASTON released her critically-acclaimed debut EP of the same name, proving herself a canny, sophisticated pop starlet with a taste for tales of disaffection and self-empowerment. Featuring addictive tracks like “Middle Fingers” and “Killer Queen,” the five-song offering marks a significant chapter in the artist’s career, which undoubtedly won’t be the last. Elsewhere, songs like “Girl Is A Gun” celebrate the power of first attraction while “Heartbreak Club” finds empowerment in lost love.

Coming off the heels of previously released singles “Taken” with Chymes and “Trip,” ASTON continues her path as an enchanting songwriter and pop powerhouse with her latest, “Women Don’t Owe You Sh*t.” Songs like these paint the songstress as someone with talent and a unique, appealing sensibility that will most certainly resonate with Gen Z. We’re excited to see what 2022 brings forth of the singer-songwriter.

We had the pleasure of chatting with ASTON in regards to artistic expression, her self-titled EP, women paving away in the music industry, and more. Read on for our conversation.

Your aesthetic and visual presentation are incredibly striking. Growing up, was artistic expression always important to you?

Artistic expression has always been a part of who I am. When you’re living and breathing your art, it influences many parts of your life. There’s always meaning underneath the clothes I wear and growing up, it was how I expressed myself.

Music, whether it be from the perspective of the listener or the artist creating it, is therapeutic. When did you realize that you wanted to become a singer and songwriter?

I always want to sing, especially on stage because it’s my second home. Writing, on the other hand, wasn’t something I thought about. I only fell in love with the process after I had some interesting life experiences and found myself dying to express those moments.

When writing songs, do you typically write about real-life experiences or experiences of those who are close to you?

Mostly it’s personal experiences. Some of the stories get heightened and others get softened so I don’t have to deal with the aftermath haha.

What has your experience in the industry been like since “Next Level” appeared in Fast and Furious: Hobbs and Shaw?

Realizing the many layers to the industry that I didn’t know about. Different wants, desires, and agendas. I also noticed how things take time but also happen fast. It sounds contradictory but when experiencing success in the music industry, it often feels like that. I’m so grateful for Fast and Furious using Next Level and would love to have an opportunity like that again. Maybe a cameo?

Towards the tail-end of last year, you shared your self-titled debut EP Aston, what was the creative process behind it? Were there any obstacles in putting this together?

It began by writing singles. There was no big picture at the start so I would go into the studio and write how I felt rather than thinking, does this song align with a specific concept or idea? The biggest obstacle was scaling down the EP song list. There are many tracks left in the archives, dying to be heard.

All things considered, what messages do you wish to deliver through your music?

The messages differ from song to song but overall, the music is much like my personality. Unfiltered and confident. It’s important to know, you don’t need to feel bad for wanting better for yourself.

Previously, you mentioned that your music was inspired by pop’s strongest women—who are some women in music that you looked up to then, and how about now?

Growing up, Rihanna, Etta James, and Fergie inspired me a lot. Their authenticity and unapologetic nature resonated with me. Recently I’ve been quite inspired by confident, outspoken artists like Bree Runway, Princess Nokia, Kali Uchis, and Ashnikko.

Your unmistakable brand of prodigious pop and infectious hooks prove that you’re an explosive force to be reckoned with. What are you most excited about as your audience continues to grow in size alongside your catalog?

I want to take the next leap and grow more than ever. Live shows are high on my list this year. I’m looking forward to meeting and connecting with people in person. Also expanding online is up there as a priority! More content for you.

Elsewhere in music, Melbourne singer RARIA chats with us about transitioning sounds and relatability within her music.