Cybertrash is a 22-year-old artist from Miami, Florida now based in Georgia. Today marks a major milestone with the release of his first full-length album, a project that showcases his evolution as an artist as well as the unique and addicting sound we have come to love. We recently had the chance to catch up with Cybertrash and ask few questions about his creative journey, the influences that shaped him, and the process and turmoil behind his album.
Jared: Wanted to start with general questions for an introduction paragraph can you tell us a little bit about yourself? your name, age, life growing up, and where you’re from!
Cybertrash: My name’s Daniel. I’m 22, turning 23 in February. So like a few months from now. I was born in Miami, and moved to Georgia when I was around 7. I had a relatively normal upbringing, it was just me my mom and my brother. He was my best friend growing up and he showed me a lot of the music that would eventually lead to all the artistic fixations I’ve developed throughout my life. I always loved music and I guess I was imaginative but I was never really pushed to be creative or ambitious or anything. Things kind of just happened to fall into my lap.
Jared: How long have you been making music - What inspired you to start?
Cybertrash: I started stealing beats off youtube in like middle school, and I’d just rap over them; I never really shared them with anyone. I knew I was pretty bad, but it was so fun to me. It was mostly on & off until the latter half of my teens. High School was whatever, and realistically, I shouldn’t have graduated but they were kind enough to let me. Graduating with a 1.6 GPA doesn’t merit much in the real world, so I really just did nothing. And in my brain that was the rest of my life. I started making music again without really thinking about it. I wouldn’t go as far as to say it was particularly therapeutic at the time, but I also think if I didn’t have it then I’d have been worse off. And I’d still be worse off without it. I live for this.
Jared: You are releasing your first full-length album 'HEAVEN IS BLUE' - What should listeners expect this time around from Cybertrash?
Cybertrash: Rough around the edges, mildly earnest at its core. the project is relatively vague with its substance, but I think most things are best put that way.
Jared: Did you have a specific vision for how you wanted the visual elements of your Album to complement the music?
Cybertrash: Maybe at some point, I had a broader idea, but not entirely now. The way I see my own music changes often. But I’ve always felt this album’s warmly cool in hue. Comfortably cold.
Jared: How does this Album differ from your singles you have put out? Did you try new techniques / process when making this Album?
Cybertrash: I used my acoustic a lot on this project; to me, it just felt nicer to hear I guess. I’m not really sure, all of the songs on the project are a little unique to me. Asides from any technical similarities, I think they each come from a different place. BUFFALO is two years old, and END OF TIMES was made in February of this year. Along with my interests & fixations, my approach to music changes so often. It’s never really intentional or anything, it kind of just happens. I hear the music in my head and I try to greet it. It’s all just intuition I guess. But the real difference for me was collaborating; there are so many wonderful people I have to thank for this project coming together. Specifically Patrick O’Neill; on top of all the technical magic he provided, he also put a battery in my back, reinforcing a faith in the album I kind of felt I’d lost. The outcome is considerably different without him.
Jared: This project seems to explore personal experiences, how has that reflected on your journey and is there a particular song in the project that you relate or resonate with the most?
Cybertrash: I’ve been trying to be more sensitive and open in my music lately; I noticed, like most people, I tend to get withdrawn at my lowest, so I found it helps to at least be honest in the music. Even then I don’t think I’m a reliable narrator in most of these tracks; while the feelings were true, I don’t think at the time I could’ve properly explained why I carried the attitude I did towards most of the situations and experiences these songs are about. However “dodger” is golden to me. It’s relatively vague, but it embodies the point I’m at better than any other song on the album.
Jared: How did it feel to have your album leak early? Was it a feeling of defeat or did it bring some affirmation to all the hard work you have put in so far, showing just how bad some want your music.
Cybertrash: After the initial anger, it just was what it was. I don’t think anyone really enjoys that type of stuff happening to them. But it’s whatever, the album is here and I love anyone who’s around to support.