Ironically, it takes courage to be vulnerable. In a world that reveres invincibility, to bare your soul is to risk being seen—and misunderstood. Yet, in that raw openness lies a strength both tender and unyielding.
This truth forms the heartbeat of Gaustad’s music. The 22-year-old American singer-songwriter is unapologetic about embracing their humanity and turning their struggles into soulful pop anthems. Through candid lyrics and an electrifying voice, Gaustad is building a safe space for those who feel unseen, unheard, or afraid to express their true selves.
‘What You’ve Been Always Wanting to Tell’
At a young age, Gaustad has already captivated fans and legends alike, including Mick Jagger and Lady Gaga. Their lyrics, powered by an emotional depth that feels both intimate and universal, have resonated with audiences navigating the complexities of modern life.
“I think it’s every young artist’s dream to see the people that they’ve loved for so long, support them in return,” Gaustad shared. “I’ve been a huge Lady Gaga fan for a long, long time. She’s been very instrumental in crafting my own sound. And people like Mick Jagger and bands like The Rolling Stones, it was just a very kind of ‘pinch me’ moment for me.”
With icons as inspirations, Gaustad’s music dives into themes of self-discovery, including their exploration of gender identity and expression. Through their work, Gaustad champions the power of embracing authenticity, even when it requires stripping yourself bare.
‘The Stories I Want to Tell’
Gaustad first gained widespread attention with their viral cover of Take Me to Church by Hozier, a song whose bold message resonated deeply with them. This moment was pivotal, sparking the realization that their voice—and the stories they wanted to tell—could reach and move audiences.
“People liked my voice,” they reflected. “Maybe people would want to hear my songs. Maybe they want to hear some of the stories I want to tell.” Such connection became the cornerstone of Gaustad’s songwriting philosophy. Every track they create is designed to evoke real emotion—whether it’s laughter, tears, or introspection.
This commitment shines in Boy Behind the Mask, a single from their third album—a deeply personal anthem that explores Gaustad’s journey as a non-binary. It captures the vulnerability of self-expression and the courage it takes to reveal your truest self to the world. “That song is so powerful to me,” they said. “It was about my gender identity and expression, and sort of, my experiences in this world. I feel like it was really powerful as well when I put out that song to see how many people it resonated within, how many people felt like there wasn’t really a song like that.”
At a young age, Gaustad realized that their goal has been anchored on creating music that makes people feel something—songs that give listeners permission to embrace their own emotions. Whether it’s Hero, featured in Netflix’s Rescued by Ruby, or Boy Behind the Mask, their tracks encourage fans to connect with their inner selves.
‘Many People Don’t Feel Like They Have a Place to Belong’
Music isn’t just a creative outlet for Gaustad. It’s a means of self-discovery. While their public persona might seem confident and extroverted, they admit to being shy and introverted in reality. And this slowly unravels through their work. “A big portion of [my] albums were about delving into secrets and things that I was hiding growing up,” they explained. “I think fans were sort of shocked to know just how much I had gone through from a personal standpoint.”
Gaustad’s albums delve deeply into themes of vulnerability and acceptance, exploring struggles like depression, anxiety, and bullying. These works reveal a poignant truth: there’s always more to a person than what meets the eye. Through the creation of two albums and the heartfelt responses from listeners, Gaustad discovered a universal yet unspoken human experience.
“We go through all the same things, but we don’t talk about it. We’re scared to talk about it. We’re scared to be vulnerable,” they shared. Like Gaustad, many people feel like they’re slightly on the edge, that they don’t feel like they have a place to belong, hence the importance of music that gives that sense of belonging.
“It’s so important to me to create music that gives that sense of belonging, even though, you know, we might feel like outsiders in some way, collectively, we’re all here together. And we can kind of be outsiders together, which then in turn makes us whole.”
Grounded in this vision, Gaustad focuses on raw honesty, crafting songs that resonate with shared human struggles—feeling outcast, dealing with bullying, navigating mental health challenges, and confronting suicidal thoughts. These often-overlooked experiences find a voice in Gaustad’s music.
“What’s really important to me is to try to create music that creates a space for everyone to belong to.”
‘Be Intentional’
Gaustad’s songs resonate deeply with their audience because it captures the raw journey of life—the struggles, the heartbreaks, and the hope that emerges after darkness. Their songs reflect the tumultuous reality of battling through life’s hardest moments to find light. This relatability is why performances like Disappear on The Kelly Clarkson Show strike such a powerful chord with fans.
“The Kelly Clarkson show was a dream. I was definitely a little nervous. Anytime you have a big live opportunity, it always brings a range of emotions. So, that show is fantastic and I’m very grateful for them.” Beyond the emotional connection forged through TV performances, Gaustad also relishes the energy of live concerts, such as their upbeat set at the iconic Troubadour. “It was one of the most fun shows that I’ve ever performed. It really was an incredible environment and just the energy from the fans in the room was unmatched and everyone was really great.”
Gaustad’s music journey spans albums that explore vulnerability and humanity, including projects like BLKBX: wht r u hding?, PILLBX: whts ur fantasy?, and their upcoming third album, which dives even deeper into personal and collective emotions. “I’ve got a lot deeper into the experiences of those around me—trying to create an album that’s for everybody.” The broader themes of Gaustad’s music reflect the ever-evolving process of discovering what it means to be human.
“I think the album really dives into depths of self, just self-worth, self-love that my previous music hasn’t really gone as deep on.”
This intentionality, both confessional and universal, underpins Gaustad’s appeal. Their songs are raw yet deeply relatable, earning the praise of icons and invitations to prominent stages. Despite their rising profile, Gaustad maintains an unwavering commitment to honesty and artistry. “I’ve really set a real intention when I go to the recording studio to craft something. Like I said, the truth is very important to me. I always want to tell a true story when I’m songwriting and I always want to try to be intentional with creating a song that will help people find their own voice.”
‘Stay Present. Stay Grounded. Stay Focused.’
In an industry often dominated by numbers, streams, and external validation, Gaustad stays grounded by prioritizing the art itself.
“For me, if I love a song, I put it out. I don’t care if it gets 100 streams or 10 million. It’s about feeling proud of what I’m putting out. That’s how I stay focused on the art without getting caught up in the noise.”
This dedication to authenticity hasn’t gone unnoticed. Gaustad has not only garnered the attention of industry legends but also collaborated with powerhouse figures like actress and producer Mariska Hargitay. Known for her advocacy on behalf of survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, Hargitay has been a significant mentor for Gaustad. Their collaboration on BLKBX and PILLBX projects even included Hargitay appearing in music videos, further solidifying the bond between the two.
“Mariska has been a great role model. She’s has been helping me to stay in my craft and to tell the stories that are important to me and keep trying to help people who don’t feel like they have a voice put their stories in their songs.” Hargitay’s influence is rooted in a shared mission to use art for a higher purpose, inspiring Gaustad to stay present and committed to their craft.
In an era where trends dominate and the music industry moves at breakneck speed, it’s easy to lose direction. A musician’s life isn’t as perfectly harmonized as one might think. Creating music that authentically impacts listeners requires immense effort and clarity of purpose. That’s why Gaustad remains attuned to listener feedback, using it as a guiding light.
For example, Gaustad reflects on the impact of their song Red from their first album. “I have thousands of people who messaged me saying that the song helped them come out to their friends, to their family. It made them feel like their sexuality is something that they could be okay with.” Moments like these affirm the importance of their work and inspire them to keep creating songs that validate and empower listeners.
Gaustad’s music is more than entertainment. It’s a lifeline for those who need it most. By embracing vulnerability and championing authenticity, they’re proving that our greatest strength lies in our ability to be ourselves—even when it scares us. For anyone who’s ever felt unseen, unheard, or out of place, Gaustad’s work is a reminder: you belong.
