Ethereal pop duo, Auguste have just released their new single, Kingdom, a synth-soaked call-to-arms for those defending themselves against personal space invaders. The talented gals have also released a stunning video to accompany the single which features contemporary dancers Jess Statton and Aiden Kane Munn in a sharp studio landscape turned battleground against doubt. Apart from making videos, Auguste’s Beth Keogh took some time out to do a Q&A with us.
What was your first gig?
Ben Folds – my dad bought me tix for my 15th birthday. J Skye’s mum took her to see Joe Cocker when she was 7! Not as Auguste, but our first ever gig was about 7 years ago at a winery in Langhorne Creek, which is just past the Adelaide hills. We played some acoustic songs we’d written together on piano and guitar. We were such babies really… we’ve come a long way since then!
What microphone do you use on stage generally?
Nothing fancy on stage just SM58’s
Is it the same for recording?
We use something a bit nicer for recording. Working with Andy (Bull) we used an SM7… In the home studio we use something similar or we sometimes borrow an old Neumann valve mic from a friend.
What’s your latest recording and when will you be back in the studio?
We use a home studio at my place for pre production, so we’re in there all the time nutting out ideas. We’ve got a few new tunes we’ve been working on, there’s one we are super pumped about and hope to release as our next single!
What gigs have you been playing lately?
There might be a few things coming up but I can’t really give details at this stage. We’ve been learning to use Ableton for our live production and jamming a fair bit with the session in the living room… We’re hoping do some touring pretty soon & cannot wait!!
Most memorable gig?
In our previous band we played the John Peel stage at Glastonbury (2014). Most definitely the most memorable music experience ever! – Both as a performer and festival-goer! I was so sick on the day that we played, I had lost my voice with a cold and had been up all night with food poisoning the night before, I actually don’t know how we pulled it off in the end but it almost made it even more exhilarating when we did!
Worst stage nightmare?
Tripping off the stage haha?! Losing your voice?! Or how about your guitarist jumping into the crowd and not being able to get back on stage (yep that happened)…Or realizing at the end of a gig that the whole time your instrument wasn’t going through the PA… we’ve had some good ones!
Album that changed your life?
Arcade Fire – Funeral. Such a huge album for so many people and I guess represents a turning point for me in terms of my musical interests. It’s a bloody beautiful album… their sound is so unique. I was quite young when an ex boyfriend first lent it to me and it really blew me away. We actually got to see them play at Glastonbury – it was a crazy good experience…the energy of the crowd was mind blowing!
What gigs are coming up in the next few months?
Hopefully heaps – Watch this space!
A vocal tip for the kids?
Confidence, thinking positively, channeling some Beyoncé! Also warmth helps me a lot … hot water, tea, congac, whiskey (I’ve even been known to swig some Tabasco sauce pre-gig). Whatever works right?
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