AR Views
Interview with Au4 - 2006-02-19
AR4
Tell us more about the origins of your album artwork?
Au4
We’ve been fortunate to work with Vincent Marcone, (noted for having won the 2005 'CD/DVD Artwork Design of the Year' Juno for Jakalope's "It Dreams" album), who has dedicated his talent to designing the "On: Audio" CD cover art. He’s got an amazing creative vision and it has been an absolute pleasure collaborating with him.
AR4
Do you have any immediate plans to play live?
Au4
We are planning to go live near the end of March or beginning of April, soon after which we will be launching our new full length album entitled "On: Audio". Definitive dates and locations have yet to be determined, but all new information will be posted on our web site www.au4-audio.com.
AR4
Will you bring a strong visual element to the stage with you?
Au4
Indeed we hope to amalgamate a strong visual component into the show as many of the songs are visually driven. Through the combined efforts of Au4 and the creative minds of people like Joel Toronchuk (lighting/video) and Terra Bell (live video feeds) we hope to bring the audience to a place that is not only pleasing to their ears but their eyes as well.
AR4
Was your first album a challenge to produce?
Au4
This album was certainly an opportunity to hone our problems solving skills and our patience. The amount of positive lessons that we've learned (both technically and personally) is staggering as we tackled each issue one at a time. There have been so many amazing people that we've worked with along the way, each contributing well beyond our expectations.
AR4
Without giving away too many trade secrets, what sort of equipment did you use to produce your record?
Au4
The album was recorded by Richard Dolmat of Digital Sound Magic in Burnaby, BC (www.digitalsoundmagic.com). Most of the instrumentation and scratch track were fleshed out in Reason prior to going into the studio. When we got to the studio the tracks were either rewired into Cubase or rerecorded.
AR4
What is your philosophy on music and it's impact on society?
Au4
We feel that music is a gift that ought to be shared, and the whole point in sharing such a gift is to connect with people. Connecting with people, for us, is what music is about.
AR4
What are your musical backgrounds, and how was Au4 brought to life?
Au4
We all pretty much grew up on music, each starting Royal Conservatory training at a young age. In high school, we formed the "requisite" alternative rock bands, while continuing our musical study and touring in jazz, choir and theatrical productions. Jason and Nathan attended Capilano College’s Jazz Studies program, while Ben and Aaron began experimenting with electronic loops and beats that would later morph into the sounds of Au4.
AR4
How are the ideas for your tracks generated?
Au4
For the most part the songs were born from mental images or pictures; the kind of pictures that surface in our minds as we try to make sense of life. That, and utilizing methods not unlike the whole “infinite amount of monkeys typing on an infinite amount of typewriters” thing.
AR4
Who have been your biggest influences and why?
Au4
I would say that our biggest influences would have to be our close families and friends. We continually shape and reshape ourselves as we interact and live together each day. All of the changes and periods of growth that we experience serve as inspiration and ultimately add to the music of our lives.
AR4
What track on your debut album best represents your group as a single?
Au4
"Everything Always Moving" seems to be a good representation of who we are musically.
AR4
What can we expect from your new website au4-audio.com?
Au4
We’re excited to have the My Pet Skeleton crew doing our website. They are noted for completing other sites for Jakalope, Johnny Hollow, and Hour Cast. You can see other work by My Pet Skeleton at www.mypetskeleton.com. We’re happy to say that the site will also include streaming samples of our music as well as an online store for the purchase of CDs, MP3’s, and other merchandise.
AR4
Where is your album currently available for purchase? (Pending release)
Au4
In the outset the album will be available off the website and from our concerts. Soon thereafter we hope to have it available for purchase through local retail outlets as well.
AR4
Thanks for your time gentleman.