Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Costy.
Hi Andrew, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I always had this need to express myself, whether it be through words, visual art, or through my physical appearance. I have been writing poetry since I was young. There was a lot of positive reinforcement from my family and teachers in school, so I kept going with it. Music was always important to me as well. I have always felt deep emotion through music and, throughout much of my life, it has been my only coping mechanism. In high school, I would try my hand at writing a verse here and there. I definitely didn’t take myself seriously at that point. In college, I would freestyle with friends at parties. To be a part of that, I had one rule: you just have to say or sing something. Seeing people tap into a creative form of expression and realizing they would be safe doing it was beautiful.
After college, I pursued a Master’s degree in Journalism, knowing that once I graduated my family and I would be moving from Canada to Los Angeles. At this time, I had been working with a friend/producer on a couple songs but nothing that really was clean and fully fleshed out. A good friend told me that I need to make something concrete before I relocate. So I worked with his little brother and within three days, recording out of his bedroom closet, the CSTY EP was created. After I moved, there was a lull before working on the next project which originally started as another EP but became my debut album which was half created in Oceanside, CA, and half in Toronto, titled ‘Gemini Holiday’.
From there, while working at a Chili’s restaurant, I met a friend of a friend, and that led to jamming sessions as frequently as possible. I was able to go back to my freestyle roots and we made some incredible tracks – four of which I released unmixed and unmastered as a ‘Lost Tapes’ series. During the pandemic, I was finding it essential for me to continue creating. I published a book of poetry called Love Me, Desperately. Additionally, I was working with a few different producers and was able to finish my sophomore album, ‘Looking For More Than This’. I just released an EP created with Jet Alone and Joey Jefferson called, ‘Never Come Down’.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Growing up in a smaller town of Canada as an Iraqi-American, I didn’t have it easy. I was seen as an outsider and and was made to feel like one. Listening to hip-hop would make me feel like I was capable of anything. I became motivated to harness that anger and frustration and turn it into something positive. I never wanted to treat others the way I had been treated, so I knew I had to be better and rise above that. Luckily, I made some amazing friends that kept me sane and helped with the process, even if they didn’t know it.
When I began to create music more consistently, my family was not supportive. After a certain age, music and creativity were not encouraged. I was told that it is just “a hobby” and that I would be crazy to pursue anything in the arts. As much as I wanted support and adoration, I knew I couldn’t hold out for it. I learned not to expect anything from them. I would create because creating is my obligation to the world and that is enough support for me. My family is now very proud of what I have accomplished and that does make me feel more at peace.
I also had a lot of people who discouraged me from stepping into my form as an artist. I was told that I shouldn’t rap or that I’m not talented enough or that my voice isn’t right for music or that I’m not good at writing or I should just stick to poetry. I now understand that those people are just critical as a projection of how they feel about themselves. It is scary to realize that you are an artist. It is also scary for others to see you change. People don’t like change and they will do what they can to control their environment, even if that means hurting others in the process. It’s normal to have these people in our lives. We can just say, “thank you for your concern” and continue creating.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a hip-hop artist who writes all of his own lyrics. I enjoy writing lyrics for others as well, as my appreciation of music is genre-agnostic. I tend to dream in music and feel like that’s my true potential! Sometimes they are in my own voice or sometimes they are in the form of house music with gorgeous female vocals. I would love to write for other artists and work on collaborating to create music!
I think what sets me apart from others is my work ethic. I create daily and take my life’s practices seriously and consistently. Inspiration doesn’t just hit like a bolt of lightening. Creation leads to motivation which leads to more inspiration. I also believe I have a very unique musical sound and voice and I don’t think you can exactly put my music in my box.
I am proud of the body of work I have: two LP’s, two EP’s, and a published book of poetry! I am also most proud that I am an authentic person who is surrounded by loved ones. Without meaningful relationships, none of this would matter to me.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
The weather. Haha – growing up in Canada will do that to you. I love the people, the cultures, the food, the energy. I love it all! There are times when it can be a bit lonely here, but I can’t see myself living anywhere else. I am putting in effort to develop more community. Don’t be shy to slide in my DM’s and say hi! Follow me on Instagram and Spotify! I promise you it’s all love and thanks from my end.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7C3yeHlcPScVnlnmtN4leN?si=_nXwZIYDQNWayt6C7R577g
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cstymusic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewcosty
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJq8lqfboBE
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/csty
Image Credits
Fernando Martinez @spacelionxiii
