A closer look at cybertrash
Despite a discography sporting only four official releases on major streaming platforms, it is now safe to say Atlanta’s latest budding talent has skin in the game. The “once-hyperpop darling” was turning heads last year with singles like “west” and “u can stop” as publications like Lyrical Lemonade and Early Rising began to take notice, when he seemingly vanished from the scene.
Having been previously described as enigmatic (and not for the wrong reasons!), it was difficult to know where he had gone or what lay in store for the then-19 year-old musician. Now, after nearly a year since his last official release, cybertrash has finally made his return with the double release of “play pretend” and “REDEYE - demo” this past Wednesday.
It isn’t hard to believe cybertrash’s growing prominence in the modern Internet scene. After all, the 20 year-old has previously been in leagues with now-established artists and producers like ericdoa and Glasear, and currently represents a household name in the underground as one of the newest members of GORE:SET, a burgeoning collective of growing stars and hungry hopefuls who have been on the radar for some time now.
Neither is it uncommon for an emerging musician to be relatively unknown or have an aura of mystery - the underground’s Internet age is no stranger to this narrative.
No, what is truly surprising is the span of time over which all of this has happened for Daniel. Four songs in two years time is nearly unheard of for an artist making waves like this - not to mention that maybe only two of these tracks truly speak to his raw potential; both of which were released last year.
While it may strike some as a lack of direction, for me, cybertrash’s already-polished sound and simultaneous versatility paints the picture of a passionate and capable young artist with a fatal obsession for honing their craft. Even with just half of his discography, it’s clear that cybertrash is highly cognizant of their capabilities and possesses the right intuition and drive to push past his own limits.
With all the makings of a star, “play pretend” signifies a turning point in cybertrash’s career. Not only has Daniel returned as a more mature musician with a reignited sense of purpose, he is now surrounded by new peers and influences that have all combined to propel his career to the next level.
Evocative and eclectic, cybertrash’s return to form sees a tasteful and brilliant mesh of indie rock and future pop reminiscent of contemporaries in the underground like ericdoa and others who paved the way before him. Daniel effortlessly demonstrates his impressive vocal range while the production remains intentionally rough around the edges at times, giving a sense of grittiness to the song that can be contradictorily described as crispy. If anything, “play pretend” provides a logical next step in his career, as cybertrash poises himself to be the Internet’s next posterboy.
This sense of certainty I had for Daniel’s career, even given his previously enigmatic nature, was only further enforced after I got a chance to interview him (his first ever!) this past week and was provided a closer insight into the person behind the “mysterious” online persona - one that I believe everyone deserves to see for themselves.
When and how were you introduced to the hyperpop and digicore community?
I didn’t even know hyperpop (as a community) was a thing until I reconnected with John (AKA Glasear) and he introduced me to Eric (AKA ericdoa) & Kim (AKA youngkimj), to be honest. This was back in like, late 2020, I think. I remember not even making an attempt to join, because of how scary it all seemed to me [laughs].
At what point did you come into contact with your closest and most frequent collaborators today?
I literally met all of them like 3 months ago. Literally February 2022. But it’s felt like 6 years - I love them all so much.
How and when did you meet Eric and the rest of the DOA crew (i.e., glasear, zetra, etc.)?
I met Glasear my sophomore year of highschool. We had a mutual friend connect us because we both made music. He would come over to my place and we’d fuck up some spicy Shin Ramyun and we’d try to make music together, but I was like extremely picky with my beats, so we never made anything [laughs]. He was extremely ahead of his time though. I eventually quit making music, but in 2020 he invited me over to their crib to introduce me to his roommates and stuff, and that’s how I met Eric. Through them I’ve met & spoke to some pretty amazing people and I love them so much. They’ve done more for me than they know; one of my managers found me through Eric - so it’s like, all crazy. I don’t know. Love them.
People commonly comment on similarities between you and Eric vocally and physically - how does that make you feel?
Bruh.
How and when did you come into contact with GORE:SET and how has your relationship with the collective grown over time?
It’s a weird story. Basically, vaeo was scrolling through TikTok and came across one of my posts, and really liked my music. So they hit me up like, “OMG you have to be kidding me, you’re so crazy”, etc. It turned out we had some mutuals, and lived in the same state, so it was like an “Oh shit!” moment and we were both like, “OK, maybe I’ll see you around”. Then I ran into them a few days later at a local show. This is gonna probably sound corny or like some WattPad shit, but the connection was IMMEDIATE. They invited me to the GORE:SET Discord server, and one night they gave me the courage to join voice chat with them and a few other people where they just so happened to be recording a cypher. vaeo asked me to be on it, I recorded my verse, rouri404 heard it, and then somehow I was just like, a part of the collective, all in the same night. It was all really quick. That was all in February, but in the time that’s passed, these people have grown on me like a fungus. It’s disgusting. I can’t escape them. I love them with all my heart and they’re all so talented bruh. It feels like luck - like, I don’t know; I feel so lucky.
Having the opportunity to work alongside such talented and established artists as well as hungry and budding young artists in collectives, what do you try to take away the most from your peers? How do your closest friends and collaborators influence your music and your mindset?
They’re all freaks. It’s disgusting how talented & driven they are. I’ve gained insane amounts of insight and perspective just from being around them and talking to them. They also make me wanna go above and beyond with everything I do - not only with music, but in every aspect. I hope I’m able to give them heaven on Earth within my lifetime.
I understand if this is a little vague and hard to answer, but could you try to tell me about your personal approach to your craft and music in general?
I honestly do not know. I wish it was more of a conscious process, but it’s mostly just me opening up FL Studio and pressing random buttons like a little caveman. I genuinely have close to no idea what I’m doing most of the time [laughs]. Generally though, I just try to make what I’d wanna listen to, otherwise it doesn’t really feel all that good.
You’ve been previously described as enigmatic by other publications, and from the research I’ve done, there isn’t much widely available information about you as a person or artist. What’s one thing you would like new listeners and fans to know about you?
I dunno; I’m just like you bruh. I’m gassy.
On the contrary, what do you hope your music will say about yourself?
I have no idea. I just hope it sounds like I know what I’m doing.
What were your direct influences for “play pretend”?
I’m not sure - probably every indie song I’ve ever heard in my life. I was also obsessed with Dominic Fike around the time I made it [laughs].
What does this song mean to you personally and what do you hope it will mean to your listeners?
Its substance doesn’t really mean much to me, but it really signified a turning point in my approach to music. I feel like, for the first time, I made a song that would probably be my favorite song, whether I had made it or not - y’know? It paints really personal and pretty pictures in my head whenever I listen to it. And it reminds me of some of the most bittersweet times in my life, sonically.
What does this single mean for your career and growth as an artist?
I don’t really know. As corny as it sounds, I’m hoping it’s the start of a long and fruitful ride. Like a rollercoaster.
How did it feel to hear Aries’ reaction to “play pretend”?
I’m going to be very honest. I don’t listen to Aries’ music, but he seems like a chill guy. I used to watch his videos when I was a sophomore though, so I guess it was pretty cool. Shoutout to Aries.
Dream blunt rotation?
Amy Winehouse, Chrysippus, and sudbath.
written and edited by Manav “Ocho” Manocha
