Meet Ash Drako | Music Producer/DJ & Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ash Drako and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ash, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risks, as much as they sound uncomfortable and scary are quite important for our growth. From what I have learnt that sometimes risking everything is what pays off on the path of becoming best version of ourselves that we aspire to be. Personally, it has always been about taking risks for me and I cannot really imagine how life would have been for me if it wasn’t for some certain huge risks I had never taken; like moving to LA at the age of 19 as an immigrant without knowing a single soul in this place to silent battles with depression, which despite being really uncomfortable and challenging; helped me become the person I am today. My next big project and artistic vision which I have been currently working on for two plus years is also about taking risks and being hopeful. If I can share something from that and my life story that resonates with this is; ever since I can remember anything about life I have always dealt with depression, self-worth, social anxiety and all the other things that come with it and eventually at a breaking point of going through all that, it was the idea of risking it all that helped overcome those feelings that always held me back. On the other hand its not just about risks that are related to your goals, but also some small acts here and there too. Could be a crazy scary hike to a dangerous mountain or going some places lots of people don’t go to or doing some insane adrenaline junkie activities; at the end of the day its all about the risks.
So yes, this was such an amazing question to start off with because this really has been my motto last couple years that has helped me transform into a completely different person, a better version of myself and do things I never thought I was capable of.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Since I was young I have pretty much tried my hand in lots of different things. My first introduction when I knew I wanted to be an artist was after seeing Michael Jackson and following down the route of becoming a dancer which I pursued for 7-8 years of my life. Then moved to LA and had my introduction to the world of EDM during my time in collage, and it really did caught me by surprise and without realizing at that time it made quite the impact that I knew I wanted that to be my identity and my journey as a music producer started after being inspired by the likes of Avicii, Martin Garrix and KSHMR. My first hurdle was always the self-doubts; the feeling of starting too late as everyone I looked up to in that genre have been doing since their young days. Although I did learn over time that those things didn’t really matter as long as you do it all by heart and still to this day I do it with the hope of giving my best and whatever’s meant for me will find its way. Second hurdle of course, skills! Time and patience to polish those and learn as much as I could in short time. Biggest hurdle, my social anxiety. As much as your skills and talent matter so does the ability to put yourself out there confidently and being a musician when you’re spending your time mostly inside in a studio to work and learn more, it kind of backfired on me and made my anxiety even worse. However, over time I came over that feeling as well after little by little I started putting myself in situations and environments I was uncomfortable of.
Just like every other edm artist, my goal is also ultimately see my name up on the lineups of music festivals. I am 27 now and have been making music for 6 years and it’s a process I would say. As I may have the skills now, I still am on a path to find and discover something that will be my style and something I could be known for as “my sound”. I am currently working on my debut album which is gonna be blend of very different styles but also making it a very similar vibe, which I have a very strong feeling could be something of my style.
I also do film. photography and travel content under different alias “lostlywandering”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Los Angeles has everything for everyone’s taste; from those hyped LA parties to amazing relaxing times in Malibu, Long Beach or Venice, LA has it all. Personally, if you’re visiting me I am about to take you on your biggest ramen tour of your life around LA. I love ramen and sushi, so be prepared to eat a lot. Secondly, amazing Mexican food. With me, it will definitely be lots of food adventures alongside hiking trips. Could be a camping trip to Joshua Tree National Park to Los Angeles National Forest, I love adventurous stuff and most of all chasing sunsets/sunrises. Some of my personal favorite spots definitely would be Malibu, Venice and West Hollywood. After spending 8 years in LA, I do think I might know a thing or two, or some great spots for everyone’s taste.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There have been lots of artists and people who have been my inspiration and motivation throughout my entire life. Shoutout to my mom first, always being that number one supporter and believer.
I’ll talk about someone who really has helped me these past few years; Josh Neuman. He has been my biggest inspiration, someone who really taught me a lot about life and how simple it could be. Josh was a skateboarder, adventurer and filmmaker who really combined all these different niches perfectly and became someone who inspired lots of people out there to “live their best life”.
I reached out to Josh after I came across him through a music video from Don Diablo (Dutch DJ) and few months later asked him about being in a music video of my song which I made back in 2021. Rest is history, watching him over again and again through that song and also not being in the best place mentally myself was the perfect combination to spark a fire of wanting something more out of life and he introduced me to the idea of “travel and filmmaking”. Next year down the line he helped me a lot to learn and polish these new skills and also helped me more learning about being humble and grounded. Unfortunately we lost him last year but I’m really glad I have someone like him to look up to and a big shoutout to his family for keeping his legacy going and helping make the world a better place.

Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0k62AlBPIxAa384QTulIa2?si=9fa3PKp_RiOnov0Pdis-GA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashdrako/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashdrakomusic

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ashdrako?si=fIdr9XPkT7gmhrti

Other: My film/photography/travel/youtube content at Lostlywandering IG: https://www.instagram.com/lostlywandering/ YT: https://www.youtube.com/@lostlywandering

Image Credits
Mat Tremblay @mattremblay_ Marc Schiele @schielemarc