The unmistakable sound of Au5 – futuristic sound design infused with melodic soundscapes. Au5 transports you to a utopian world that’s as vibrant as it is monumental. Read the interview below!
“If you’re looking for trendy music, turn away. If you’re looking to embark on a journey, come with me.”
Hi Au5! How are you doing?
In general, I’m doing quite well!
Take us back to the beginning, how did you found your passion into producing electronic music?
I’ve been exposed to music as early as I could remember. I’ve been playing piano since I was 4 and due to that early exposure and experience I found that music was always playing in my head. Around age 8 I was exposed to trance and house for the first time and at the same time I somehow came across a midi sequencing program for the computer called Easy Beat, with piano roll and drum sequencing capabilities. I experimented with that for several years and began trying to transcribe musical ideas I had in my head. At age 13 I acquired Logic Pro 7 and started recording and producing bands I was in as well as solo projects. I always found producing more gratifying than playing games so it became an addictive escape for me that was also productive. At 17 I decided the band life wasn’t for me and went full force into creating the best music I could. 11 years later and I’m still on that path.
Where comes the name Au5?
My name is Austin and a friend of mine when I was 13 suggested it to me. It’s a stylized spelling of the first 3 letters of my name, though pronounced A-U-5 to eliminate confusion, and it sounds cooler to me.
You have over 10 years’ experience of working with electronic dance music. You have seen how the electronic music has developed. What is your opinion about todays ”electronic dance music”?
It’s not underground anymore, influences of edm can be found in most pop music and have bled into most genres at this point. Because of this the state of the EDM scene is heavily competitive, saturated, and industry focused. There are now a plethora of resources for new producers that didn’t exist a decade ago, which has allowed many more artists to achieve a standard of quality much quicker than ever before. Overall I’d say there is an equal influx of authentic music from innovative artists and as there is mediocre music formulated for monetary success. The former, however, is much harder to find within such a saturated industry.
What are your favourite elements within your recent releases that still call back to/is heavily drawn from the original inspiration behind the Au5 project?
Extended chord progressions (more than 4 chords), vibrant, dense walls of sound, and atmospheric ambiences have pervaded throughout almost all of my music since my first release a decade ago. They create dynamic environments for emotional journeys.
How have you been staying productive during the quarantine period?
Besides not touring, life has been the same. I make art and music in my studio almost everyday and I’m totally fine with that.
You released an EP called “Alchemy” through Liquid Stranger’s label Sskwan. Could you share the creative process behind about this EP?
The songs on the Alchemy album were created across the span of several years and we’re originally self-released as singles. They’re all chill or ambient songs, which I tend to make during times of deep introspection or big life changes, in a sense out of necessity for my own emotional well-being. There is no specific process I have besides pure exploration and making what I feel without much afterthought. I think this process under these conditions create a cohesion that makes the album work as a whole.
What is your favorite song from the EP?
It’s tough to answer because they all emotionally function differently for me. I think Neptuna may be the one I play for myself the most because it’s grounding yet still extremely chill and steady. I like underwater vibes.
This quarantine period has been hard for music industry so now it’s time to support and support, any interesting new producers you would recommend to follow?
Skybreak, Jeto, Chuck Sutton, Neil Kopicki, Pedestrian Tactics, Derpcat and Losion are just a few fantastic underrated producers that are worth checking out.
Would you like to share something with the followers of Let the Bass Get You?
For any producers out there wanting to up their skills and knowledge I have a YouTube channel with numerous music production tutorials and song walkthroughs, as well as sound design masterclasses with DawNation.
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