Real Talk with OSTON: Exploring Music, Vulnerability, and the Journey to Authenticity
Written by: Keyali Mikaela
Introducing OSTON, an emerging force in the indie-pop scene, currently based in Los Angeles. Her captivating soundscapes and introspective lyricism resonate deeply with audiences worldwide, transcending geographical boundaries to offer a universal narrative that speaks to the human experience.
With a discography that explores the spectrum of human emotions, OSTON's music is a poignant reflection of life's complexities. From the haunting introspection of "Lie About You", where she confronts the turmoil of toxic relationships, to the anthemic self-empowerment of "Am I Talking Too Much?", her songs navigate the depths of the human psyche with raw honesty and vulnerability.
OSTON's commitment to visual storytelling sets her apart, as she weaves a multi-dimensional narrative through DIY music videos and captivating TikTok content. This adds an extra layer of depth to her already compelling storytelling, inviting listeners to embark on a journey through her music.
From anthemic pop anthems to intimate ballads, OSTON's versatility shines through in each track, seamlessly blending infectious melodies with thought-provoking lyricism. With every note, she welcomes listeners into her world, where vulnerability meets resilience, and authenticity reigns supreme.
As OSTON continues to carve out her place in the indie-pop landscape, her music serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for fans worldwide. Join her on a musical odyssey where every chord strikes a chord, and every lyric resonates with the soul. Get ready to be swept away by the magnetic energy of OSTON, a rising star poised to leave an indelible mark on the music industry.
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Next Wave: Are there any non-musical influences, such as personal experiences or other forms of art, that impact your creative process?
OSTON: I’ve always wanted to be that cool, artsy person who can say I pull inspiration from reading poems and novels, or that I’m particularly moved by movies or theater, but I have a really hard time finishing books, and I’m lucky if a movie can keep my attention span the whole way through. The main thing I’ve found to be true in my writing is that I have to know what something feels like, or have been through it personally in order to write about it. I have a hard time talking about things I can’t relate to, so I’ll pull directly from experiences that have happened to me and to people close to me, and sometimes that can be incredibly limiting. I spend so much time in the studio writing for myself and other people that I forget I need to go out and experience things in order to write about them. After I wrap up my next project I’m making it a goal to go out and experience a little more life.
Next Wave: What is your typical creative process like when writing and producing a new song?
OSTON: It looks totally different depending on who I’m writing with and what we’re writing for. When I’m writing for something like sync or Kpop, me and whoever I’m writing with will usually chat it up for the first 30 minutes and talk about any current events, gimmicky titles, or funny ideas we’ve come across recently and find a fun way to incorporate it into what we’re writing. This usually involves referencing a lot of top 40 and throwback records to fit whatever vibe we’re going for that day.
When I’m writing for me, the process is a lot slower and more personal. I’ll usually pull together some of my favorite people and have a long heart to heart about whatever I’m going through at that point in time. I’ll usually bring in a playlist of music that has been inspiring me lately and let the producer create a vibe. Then I’ll riff some melodies over the top and write down chicken scratch lyrics until we have something that’s coherent, and hopefully powerful and relatable in some way. Sometimes this process is really quick and we’ll have an entire song in the span of a few hours, and sometimes it takes literal years to finish one song.
Next Wave: Can you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or releases you're currently working on?
OSTON: I can’t say all too much right now, but you can definitely expect some new music (and shows) from me starting very soon!
Next Wave: Are there specific themes or directions you're exploring in your future music?
OSTON: Last year, I was focused on writing a lot of new material around being happy and excited (emotions I rarely touch on in my writing lol) because I thought that’s what people might want to hear from me next. During this process, I realized I hadn’t worked through some deep emotions from a past relationship that was very uncomfy and toxic. I shifted my mindset to writing only about that topic - themes like not knowing my worth, being manipulated, and ultimately using that experience for an opportunity to grow and become stronger - until I felt like there was absolutely nothing left to say. Although knowing me, I’m sure in another couple months I’ll find plenty more words if need be.
Next Wave: How do you navigate the challenges of being an independent artist, and what advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
OSTON: There’s no way to sugarcoat it, really. Pursuing music, especially on an independent scale, is a ton of work and takes a lot of focus and honestly a little bit of delusion. It’s important to remember that growth is absolutely not linear, and no one’s success stories look identical. I try to have a lot of check-ins with myself about why I’m chasing after this dream in the first place, and keep myself as grounded as I possibly can.
The best advice I can give is to just put yourself out there all the time, and start doing it NOW. No one is going to discover the songs that are sitting in the depths of your computer or the drafts of your Tikok. Nothing great happens overnight and there’s always room for growth, but if you don’t take a chance and start sharing yourself with the world, you’ll just be growing alone.
Next Wave: Do you have a favorite track from your discography, and if so, what makes it special to you?
OSTON: It changes all the time - I feel like I could have a different answer to this every day.
‘Burton St.’ is my newest release so by nature I feel like I’ve been listening to it the most. ‘Molly.’ feels like the most “me” production I’ve released thus far in my career. ‘HARD TO LOVE’ is definitely my favorite song to play live and the most fun to watch people dance to. ‘last time pt. ii’ is the most sentimental because my boyfriend and I wrote it together the day we realized we had feelings for each other. ‘20 Nothing’ makes me cry every time I listen to it. ‘Whatshisface’ is hilarious because I greatly dislike the person I wrote it about and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed hearing other people’s stories of how they can relate to that song. And, of course, all my unreleased music makes me more excited than I can even explain.
Next Wave: Is there a specific milestone or achievement you aspire to reach in your musical career?
OSTON: When I really let myself dream, I picture a future full of massively successful albums, touring around the world, playing festivals with stacked line-ups full of all of my friends, writing huge chart topping records for other artists, and being able to finally buy my parents that beach house I’ve been promising them for years now. When it all comes down to it, I genuinely just want to be able to do music for the rest of my life in some shape or form. Whatever that looks like and as long as I can make a comfortable living, I really do think I’ll be happy. Maybe my parents and I can share the beach house. :,)
Next Wave: Your music often explores personal and vulnerable themes. How do you approach the process of translating intimate experiences into songwriting, and what role does vulnerability play in your creative expression?
OSTON: I consider myself very lucky that I get to work with my best friends in the world. When I have something particularly hard to put into words, I’ll save that idea or topic for a session with them, because I know it’ll be a completely judgment free zone. They know me better than I know myself, so we always work together to portray the message in an authentic way to who I am.
For a long time I was really afraid to be vulnerable with my writing - and I think that really came across. When I started being super honest and intentional with my lyric writing, that’s when people started connecting and latching on. We all experience the same range of emotions, but not everyone is able to turn those emotions into a pretty song - and I feel very lucky that I get to do that.
Next Wave: "Molly" is a standout track from your repertoire. Can you share the story behind this song and how it reflects your personal experiences?
OSTON: I had this idea for a long time to write about something that feels so special at a particular point in time, that later in life doesn’t hold the same importance or provide the same sensation. Maybe you feel nostalgic towards that point in time, but you know that if you had it now, it wouldn’t fit into your life the same way it used to.
I had some of my highest highs and lowest lows while I was living in downtown Chicago for about five years of my life. The apartment I lived in, people I lived with, restaurants I ate at - all of it - provided such a visceral feeling that literally no longer exists within me anymore. After Lollapalooza 2022, I did a writing camp up in Ann Arbor, Michigan and was reflecting on the high of the festival, how completely hard I was crashing after leaving, and how that feeling was very reminiscent to this past version of myself who lived in Chicago. I’ll leave it up to you to guess why we went with the name “Molly”.
Next Wave: Your experimentation with DIY music videos and TikTok content adds a visual dimension to your music. How do you approach visual storytelling, and how important is it for you to convey a narrative visually along with your music?
OSTON: I think a lot of us are having a really hard time finding a way to be authentic with our visual storytelling in the age of social media, while also capturing people's attention and interesting them long enough to follow along, listen to a song or come to a show. Sometimes it feels so much easier and less time consuming to create a gimmicky video, but the payoff never seems to feel as rewarding as when something you put a lot of time and effort into does well. The harsh reality is that sometimes I’ll spend hours and hours and way too much money on a visual that I really believe in and it will absolutely bomb online, and then I’ll get in my car and mouth the lyrics to my song for 15 seconds and that’s the thing that gets people hyped up for a song release. Both forms of self promotion are valid, but I definitely struggle to find that balance and continue to be proud of the work I’m putting out in today’s landscape of what it means to be an artist.
Next Wave: Do you have a favorite lyric or line from your own discography that holds special meaning for you? If so, which one and what is the story behind it?
OSTON: “Stop flipping pennies, slip another curse into your breath. There’s no Jesus, there’s no monster underneath your bed. They just turn to voices in your head.” from my song ‘20 Nothing’.
I grew up in Utah and although I didn’t have a particularly religious upbringing - the state that I was raised in had a lot of influence on my self image and what was/wasn’t considered “acceptable”. Even though I grew up in a house where self expression was encouraged, when it came to my songwriting and creative identity as an artist, I was always so afraid to do or say anything that might upset someone out there. I tried really hard to censor myself even though behind closed doors I’m very open. I was literally even scared to put a swear word in my songs. After I moved to Chicago and then LA, those walls started coming down and I realized that I want to stand up for the things I believe in and speak on what makes me feel passionate. Not everyone is going to like you - in fact a lot of people are going to hate you no matter what you do - so you might as well be truly and authentically yourself.
So I guess this line is me talking to my younger self saying “it’s okay to leave Utah and be whoever the fuck you want. The world is a cruel place no matter what, so just find people who love you for you and be yourself.”
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Wrapping up this insightful journey with OSTON, we are left with a profound appreciation for the authenticity and vulnerability she brings to her music. From exploring the intricacies of human connections to navigating the complexities of self-discovery, OSTON's lyrical prowess and sonic innovation stand as a testament to her artistry.
As we eagerly anticipate the release of her upcoming single, "wtf u want," set to drop on March 15th, it's clear that OSTON's creative journey is one marked by continuous evolution and genuine expression. This latest addition to her discography promises to be another compelling chapter in her musical narrative, inviting us to delve deeper into the emotions and experiences that define her unique perspective.
Stay tuned for the release of "wtf u want" on March 15th, as OSTON once again invites us to join her on a sonic adventure that transcends boundaries and speaks to the heart. Thank you, OSTON, for sharing your stories, your music, and your authentic self with us. We can't wait to see where your artistic journey takes you next.
