Today we’d like to introduce you to Reuben Walton.
Hi Reuben, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey has been anything but linear—full of hard-fought battles, unexpected twists, and resilience through trauma, financial struggles, and mental health challenges. I’ve bounced between LA and Massachusetts, growing up in suburban poverty while navigating life on the spectrum. My approach to opportunities has always been a mix of randomness and intention, following my instincts and my passion for music wherever they led me.
I studied Music Business at UMass and later enrolled in Musicians Institute’s Independent Artist and Electronic Music Production programs during the pandemic in 2020. I’ve applied to countless jobs, worked at Whole Foods across multiple cities (including two stints in LA that made me realize just how unsustainable that paycheck was), and constantly battled my circumstances while striving to build a career in music. Over time, my focus shifted more and more toward my original music—especially after 2022—leading me to workshops, fellowships, and whatever opportunities I could find, all while lacking the financial resources for a team or an assistant.
Being an outsider in the industry, I’ve had to forge my own path, creating music, enduring dry spells, and navigating the ups and downs of this unpredictable journey. I’ve also dealt with lifelong medical and mental health challenges, but I like to think of myself as a bit like Frida Kahlo—pushing forward despite everything because this is my life.
I’ve sat through industry conferences where privileged people spin exaggerated stories about “sleeping in their car” while their trust funds kept them afloat. Meanwhile, my story is real, and one day—when I land a book deal with Simon & Schuster or a movie/series about my life—I’ll tell it all. But for now, this is just a glimpse.
I got to where I am today by following my passion, persevering despite my limitations, and maintaining a healthy fear of stagnation.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it has decidedly not been a smooth road by any stretch of the imagination. However, in my answer to the previous question, I touched on some of the struggles.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an indie soul artist—I sing, rap, produce, mix, and master my own music. I compose using MIDI and Logic Pro X, specializing in soul, classic pop, trip-hop, quiet storm, R&B, blue-eyed soul, and urban music. My work blends humor with both high and low art references, and I take feedback exceptionally well.
I’m known for my unorthodox approach—my music has a distinct vibe that people often struggle to define. My 80s and 90s R&B influence stems from a deep dive into Mariah Carey’s discography in the early 2010s, which expanded my melodic vocabulary. But my instincts also draw from alternative, post-punk, and electronic artists like Fiona Apple, Björk, The Smiths/Morrissey, The Innocence Mission, The Sundays, Best Coast, and shoegaze bands.
A current artist I’m really excited about and inspired by is Ethel Cain. She embodies a raw, immersive approach to storytelling and atmosphere that resonates deeply with me. Her ability to build entire worlds within her music aligns with my own desire to create something that feels lived-in and emotionally expansive.
What I’m most proud of is my perseverance—falling down, getting back up, and pushing forward. What sets me apart is my unique frame of reference, my ability to embrace and work within my own limitations (both conscious and unconscious), my stylistic “ADHD,” and my complete lack of shame when it comes to influences—there are no guilty pleasures in my world. Being on the spectrum, I tend to disregard certain social conventions that influence the music scene, which allows me to move freely and authentically. I’m always learning, always evolving, and constantly exploring new techniques and production skills to stay fresh.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Never giving up.
Pricing:
- $300 demo production for artists and songwriters
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.reubenwalton.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reubenwaltonmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reubenwaltonmusic
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reubenwalton/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/reuben_walton
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/reubenwalton
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=ptZBoFHuGeTUUBHHgNMV-A
- Soundcloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/reuben-walton
- Other: https://fanlink.tv/reubenwaltonmusic?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaafnbh6JNN7eCbQmuU0H48Vyc2udFs2IQBgPOKj5nbq0ZXYvANdabAWKhA_aem_2i9g8P_VYUkx7fPwNeXZhQ
Image Credits
Photos by Reuben Walton, @jremdoesitall on Instagram, Morgan James Peters, and @johnkeon.photo on Instagram
Editing by Reuben Walton