Austin Sexton is an artist based in Northern Los Angeles area. A “busker” and a live instrumentalist, Sexton has been working as a producer for quite a long time. He has opened for several major artists including G-Eazy, Marc E. Bassy, Ty$, B.O.B, Jeremih, Travis Scott, Schoolboy Q, and others.
Recently, the singer released the music video for his new single “Paola”. His last EP “GoodSex” received a positive response and we expect to see the same for his new EP.
CelebMix talked to Sexton about his journey as a busker, his single, future projects and much more. Check out the complete interview below:
1. In one of your interviews, you introduced yourself as a “busker”. From being a street performer till an artist with good record history, how did your journey begin? Also, how has it been so far?
The journey started in a small bar in Santa Barbara during an open mic night. I was still living in PA, but was vacationing in SB. After performing, I was asked to play at a charity event taking place the following week. I pushed back my flight, stayed, and ended up packing my things in PA and living on my friends couch for 8 months just to play little shows. The journey has had its up and downs, but I wouldn’t trade anything in the world to not have experienced it.
2. What does music mean to you?
Music is everything. I get high from it, I really do. It’s my way of letting go of things in my life that have affected me, positively and negatively. I don’t know what I’d do without it.
3. How often do you get a chance to interact with your fans/admirers? Do you have any favourite fan moment that you would like to share with us?
I interact as much as possible. Being independent, you have to build your brand one fan at a time. So any chance I have to take a picture, respond to a comment, say something nice, I’m on it.
4. You are both an artist as well as a producer. How does being the latter help you in being an artist?
The only way I can think of it helping is the fact I can make my own music whenever I want. Also, making music for other people keeps me up to date on different genes. Production and producing for other is essentially practice for myself.
5. Neo-soul as a genre has seen some success recently. How did you decide to work in this genre of music?
Honestly, it’s just what I was listening to and inspired by at the time. I’ve always loved alternative music. It just sorta happened.
6. Do you plan to experiment with other genres as well?
If that’s where the music takes me, absolutely.
7. Please tell us about your single “Paola”.
The thing about Paola is, it’s not about anyone in particular, but more about someone we’ve all encountered in our lives. People know I tend to write based off of what I know- real life experiences. I kinda did myself in titling the song Paola, because on my last project there was a song called “Oh Anna” that was based off a brief fling I had. So everyone right from the jump was WHO’S PAOLA? But the idea of Paola is being with the wrong person; someone who is toxic. Someone you do the pettiest things toward just to feel like you have control. The idea actually came from watching an episode of “Master of None” on Netflix haha.
8. How is the recent single as well as the upcoming EP different from Goodsex?
Goodsex was at a point in my life where I was comfortable, happy, and emotionally I felt like I was in a good place. The Paola EP and single was during a….heartbreak….. it’s me letting out my anger and saying all the things I wanted to say to the person I never got to say it to.
9. We read that you will be releasing the music video for the single soon. What can the fans expect from the MV?
It’s currently out now
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=RxVBfkC4BzIhttps://youtu.be/RxVBfkC4BzI
But it’s essentially an acid trip that takes me into my subconscious in regards to dating.
10. Would you like to talk about your collaboration with Kyle? How did it come about?
We’re both from the 805, and we had a mutual friend (Sunny Norway) who I make music with. He brought me to a session Kyle was at and it was just kinda history from there.
11. Considering that you have opened acts for some major artists in the industry, how do you see yourself placed in the music industry today?
Alternative at the moment for sure. I love Toro Y Moi, Mac DeMarco, Tame Impala, Inner Wave, Cuco, Banes World…. I’d love to tour with any of them.
12. Do you have any goals that you wish to achieve in near future?
Touring with a major act, without a doubt. And a Grammy soon!
You can follow Austin on his socials: