Singer/songwriter, producer and DJ, Wasteland, has teamed up with Australian singer Mileo for his new track “Paper Towns.” With a memorable music video and its catchy, yet blunt, lyrics, this single is beyond worth the listen and any music fan’s attention. In an exclusive interview with CelebMix, Wasteland opened up about this new single and what is coming up next for him.
How did Wasteland begin?
WasteLand began with as a name change actually, I was DJ’ing under a different name and copping a bit of heat from family and friends about how terrible the name was. The first song I actually sampled was a classic rock song by The Who called “Baba O’reilly.” It’s got a famous lyric “Teenage WasteLand.” I liked it and it just stuck with people. [I then] started making music soon after and to be super cliché, “the rest is history.”
What makes the new single “Paper Towns” different from what you have released in the past?
It represents two things. First it’s the end of a two year hiatus where I was musically finding myself, working out what I wanted my music to sound like in 2019 and onwards. But also [it’s] the start of my foray into [a] more pop music “sound.” Previously, I made music in the EDM boom, and recently, [I] have wanted to push more into songs and songwriting rather than club tracks. This is the first song of that new path.
How was it to work with Mileo on this track? Why did you choose that artist to be featured?
It was epic, I wrote the song with a couple [of] talented songwriters from the east coast, and we really couldn’t find anyone who could “sell it.” Trying to capture emotion in a vocal performance is a very hard thing to do. We ultimately got introduced to Mileo via. Central Station (my record label), and he proceeded to smash it out of the park. His voice has a delicateness, which is seldom heard in male singers, but still has so much power behind it!
What messages do you hope to spread with your music?
Oh wow, that’s a first for this sort of question. I guess happiness, positivity, dream chasing, and also a big part of inclusion, as can be seen from my very LGBTQI+ friendly video clip.
If you could work with any singer or producer for your next track, who would it be and why?
Tough one, either Kesha…. I’ve always had a soft spot for her, especially since her new more song driven album Rainbow. Or the California band LANY. I’m a bit of an addict for writing songs about California and these guys do it better than anyone else. I also finally get to see them live in a few months!
What can fans look forward to in the near future?
A hell of a lot of new music. The follow up to “Paper Towns” is done and won’t be a two year gap this time. [Also], a hell of a lot more cool video clips.
Listen to “Paper Towns” here.
Thank you, Wasteland, for taking the time to speak with CelebMix about your music and more!