Anime loving gummy connoisseur🍬
Antoine Johnson otherwise known as Anto the Wayward brings an introspection to the music that can be rare to find these days. On top of this The Wayward presents these expressions over beautiful and grainy production. “For me, music is a way to better process…memories and emotions I’ve never explored,” Anto explains. The Aberdeen, Washington native weaves in and out of soundscapes with ease, attracting people with flexible flows, a lush delivery and a passionate yet nostalgic presentation. With multiple singles and an EP under his belt, Anto is entering 2022 poised and ready to make a run. For now, take a Tea Break and step into Anto the Wayward’s world.
Growing up in Aberdeen, Washington, Anto the Wayward was introduced to music at a young age. Playing the violin, and piano throughout the majority of his childhood combined with the plethora of music played in their house it’s no surprise Anto gravitated toward the art form. “It feels like music is hugging you and helps you focus on the task at hand or relaxes you,” Anto the Wayward says. Coming up in the world is not always easy, with family issues & abuse looming it naturally had an impact on our hero, but he saw things differently. “It felt like I was just always there,” starts, “It felt like I was living in my little brother’s shadows while being compared to a man I share a name with and honestly knew nothing about.” Between this and complications with his peers he came up with, music gave Anto a place to channel his emotion and experience. While Anto has been through some trials and tribulations it makes his music feel that much more relatable. Anto the Wayward sympathizes with the human experience and his music provides a friend in the times we feel alone.
Anto the Wayward is a friend sitting right by your side, someone we can turn to when life gets difficult. A real life manifestation of Steven Universe Future, The Wayward’s lyrics and production are inviting to the listener and makes it easy to run his art right back. 2019 would see the Washington artist debut his first project in “Chasing Daisy: An Intermission” an eight track venture where Anto opens up to the audience over heavenly and relaxing soundscapes. “After changing my major from pre-med to acting and becoming more content with who I am,” Anto begins, “I wanted to make a project that expressed my journey to these new conclusions of who I was at that moment.” Anto the Wayward reminds us that there is love & hope out in the universe and that it’s also important to heal from the damage.
Now here we are in 2022, Anto is dedicated to putting music at the forefront of his passions and career. What makes Anto the Wayward such a breath of fresh air is his willingness to put his flaws, perceived failures and insecurities into the music. Not in a way that tells listeners to get over it, but rather giving listeners a place to feel. “I want people to realize it’s ok to be lost,” Anto explains, “you don’t have to run or fight all of your demons….it’s ok to be different, let me fail, let me express myself.” 2021 saw Anto release his sophomore project in “Tea Break, Vol. 1”. Meant to serve as an interlude between bigger releases, this is just the beginning of what will be a bigger series. The Washington artist isn’t done yet and while he’s being secretive, Anto the Wayward has more coming in 2022. Don’t get left behind.
~ Michael Stover, Taste Creators
