Austin Dean Ashford’s track, “Sleep Angel,” was inspired by a song he sang to his Grandmother before she passed. Learn more about the “Sleep Angel, and him in the interview below.
,Austin Dean Ashford is back, and he is not disappointing. A pioneer of the Island-Trap genre, Austin delivers a sweet melody with his latest song, “Sleep Angel,” dedicated to his Grandmother and released on her birthday, Jan 26th. The track comes as the second single on his upcoming sophomore project, Durags N Bonnets AKA Sophisti-Ratchet 2, which will be released in March 2022. And with a tour on the way this summer, continuing his work as an artist, and studying as a Ph.D. student in the interdisciplinary fine arts at Texas Tech University, Austin Dean Ashford is in store for one busy 2022.
Be sure to stay in touch with Austin Dean Ashford via social media @,theaustindeanashford on Instagram, as he will be releasing more music very soon, and read his interview below to get more info on his tour, new music, and life as a high school drop out now Ph.D. student.
In the meantime, listen to Austin Dean Ashford’s second single on his upcoming sophomore project, Durags N Bonnets AKA Sophisti-Ratchet 2, “Sleep Angel,” below.
What city are you from/ Where are you based now?
I’m from the Bay Area of Northern California and now I’m based in The Bay and Los Angeles. I’m going to school in Texas, remote though, because of Covid.
What is your artist name? What is your real name? How did you get your artist name?
My artist name is Austin Dean Ashford. That is also my real name. I used to have a stage name but when all of my different art forms started to integrate together I thought it would be easier to just use my real name.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
I would describe my sound as a pioneer of the Island-Trap genre, my vibe merges ukulele, Afro-Latin sounds, and Bay Area swagger. My lyricism and flow is a blend of modern boom bap and chant music. My sound is comprehensively poetic, wavy, and bouncy-punk. I use a jazz effect that is Fluid, witty, rhythmic, and bars.
What’s one reason you are passionate about music and what inspires you?
One reason I’m passionate about music is because it very much is medicine and a healing remedy to help me operate in an unpredictable world. Life has thrown a lot of obstacles my way and I find that music can embody a wide range of emotions and can articulate my perspective. What inspires me is everyday life and the multiple artists I’m around everyday. I agree with the statement that “everything is a performance” which would allow me to be inspired by the performance of a teacher, or the performance of my family, etc. I’m also inspired by black creators who have balance between their everyday lives as well as being a creator.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
Some of my main musical influences are Bob Marley, Lauryn Hill, Nina Simone, John Coltrane, Donald Glover, Lin Manuel-Miranda, Kendrick Lamar.
Tell us the name of the project you are currently promoting? What inspired this project?
I’m currently promoting my new single which is the second single on my upcoming sophomore project. The song is called “Sleep Angel”. “Sleep Angel” was inspired by a song I would sing on the ukulele to grandmother before she passed away. For my undergraduate degree I studied at the HBCU Wiley College and visited my grandmother in Texas and sang her this song. This song is a nice lullaby and my mom’s favorite song of mine too so she is excited.
Date that this project dropped or is set to drop?
“Sleep Angel” is set to drop Jan 26th with a music and lyric video. The song is being released on my grandmother’s birthday too..
What is this project about in your own words?
“Sleep Angel “ is about how we connect with spirits on this planet that we still feel connected to. This is about our guardian angels who work so hard to keep us protected and how they even need some rest sometimes.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for?
I will continue to be a PhD student in interdisciplinary fine arts at Texas tech university through the pandemic. I am releasing my sophomore album, “Durags N Bonnets” aka Sophisti-Ratchet 2,” in March with a release listening event. This summer I’ll be going on a world tour starting in Ecuador and ending in Europe. This album is the 2nd portion of a trilogy that will end next year in March.
What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from this project?
I hope fans take away the sense of radical rest and have a lullaby to help them and their dreams during the pandemic. I hope anybody who knows my story of high school dropout to PhD student /artist knows that what is meant for you will not pass you up no matter how long it takes. Also, it is ok to rest or nap everyone and then.
Where can we follow you on social media?
Twitter: ,https://mobile.twitter.com/austindashford
IG: ,https://www.instagram.com/theaustindeanashford/?hl=en
YouTube: ,https://youtube.com/channel/UCfNEd063hnJvBne4M9rtSAw
Spotify: ,https://open.spotify.com/artist/2Tv2CFOBEkrbzKG1KWIiUp
Facebook: ,https://m.facebook.com/TheAustinDeanAshford/
