Written by Lisa Koenigshofer

Photo by Nathan Purchase https://www.facebook.com/PsychedelicEyesPhotography/

Self produced musician, Spaceship Earth, conceptualizes live guitar over layers of resonating rhythms, ancient beats, native scales, quantum melodies, chants, and samples. You know those people who are genuinely jovial by nature? That’s Ashton Robertson. His positive and uplifting intention transcends reality through his sound. For me, Spaceship Earth is an auditory source of connecting with spirit, space, and time. Let’s chat with him a bit!

Let’s take a trip back in time on Spaceship Earth. When were the seeds of your music journey planted?

Spaceship Earth was born in 2012, first as a three-piece band, and then in 2013 morphed into a solo project, but my music seeds were planted long before that. I always loved music as a kid. I was always into multiple genres and always had an affinity with musicians in general. I picked up a guitar in eighth grade, and joined marching band the same year, but honestly I never thought it would be a full time thing. When I started to discover that I actually had some talent, and I started to get some great feedback, I just ran with it, and have been doing it ever since.

Your 2016 album release Interdimensional Passport fuses both ancient and futuristic elements. What was the creative process like for this album?

I first got the name in 2013 and I thought I was going to release it earlier, but it had a life of its own. I discovered as I got better, my old songs felt stale, so I kept creating and pushing myself. In terms of the songs that actually ended up on the album, I started the last song, Divine Orchestration, while I lived in California, on my bed, with headphones. I soon moved to the secluded forests of Cumberland, Maryland, land of the Appalachian mountains, and the rest of the album organically was produced there. I have always been a fan of world music, and middle eastern instruments, as well as spiritual teachings, and it has poured into my music. But I also love technology and psychedelic worlds, so the fusion of the two, kind of happened naturally, and are in a way, a reflection of my belief patterns.

Can you think of a fan who has had an unwavering support of your music since day one? Or someone who has supported you through your journey that you couldn’t have done it without?

Although this may sound weird, and I can think of many people, truly and I couldn’t have done it with ALL of them, but I am going to say myself. A lot of the time, I am the only there. Without learning how to love myself, the process, and finding the self worth to even try. I think you have to love your art, and feel good about it for it to truly click and be enjoyable inside and out for other people. My music is my favorite music, not just because how it sounds but because it is like my child. Some days… all you have is your music.

I also want to give a shout out to Amanda Umstead for being in my heart, the number one Spaceship Earth fan of all time. She was someone I had never met, who through the internet found my music organically, and her love for my music keeps me going. She once made me a gift box with alien art, conscious sayings, Papadosio lyrics, cats, and so many cute details, that just made the entire process from day one, worth it. That gift made it all worth it to me. The fact that someone hears sounds I made, and then created something from their heart to gift me, just really changed my life.

As a one man band, how do you maintain balance traveling, managing the many aspects of self-production, promotion, and booking? P.S.- You’re crushing it.

It’s like walking a tight rope. Hardly anyone can do it. You are going to fall a lot, but if you master it, you might just fill a stadium of people, who come just to watch you make art. Meditation is key. Seeking inspiration consistently. Finding ways to keep my inner flame lit, and well kept. Eating healthy, staying hydrated, and having amazing friends, helps a lot. Up to this point, a lot of the process has been lead through synchronicities, for example– finding places to stay while on tour. The more I pour my heart into loving the process, rather than the destination, the more the journey has treated my really good, and I have made great friends along the way. Shout out to everyone!

 Your song “Top Secret” featuring Ascentient is tight! You’re both performing at Mad Tea Party Jam this summer. What is your favorite memory from the Mad Tea Party Jam last year?

I was laying in my tent the morning after playing, and I heard the next campsite talking about my set and how awesome it was. That was pretty much the best moment of my life. I had never met them, and had no idea who they were. Pretty sure I cried on spot … I had just woken up about 5 minutes earlier and I was still laying down in my tent. Music is rewarding in beautiful, magical, synchronistic ways like that.

Where would you like to see yourself in a year from now?

Based in Michigan, on tour, spreading the good vibes. I do have big dreams.

 

What is the rest of your Spring, and Summer tour schedule looking like?

June 16: Mad Tea Party Jam—Artemis, PA

August 6: Drop Fest—Flint, MI

August 25-27: Shamanic Boom—Wyoming

 

Thank you so for much having me do the interview and everyone can find my music at:

Spaceship Earth

Bandcamp: https://spaceshipearth.bandcamp.com/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/spaceshipearthmusix