A Chat with Audri (20.05.20)
Seattle-based singer/songwriter Audri has a Florence and the Machine-esque sound. Joined by bassist Elliot Austin, drummer Giovanni Recchi and guitarist Sawyer Thompson, she shares her exciting indie-pop music with the world. We had a chance to speak with Audri (A) about the new EP Aud, staying motivated and future plans.
OSR: Why did you choose to enter the music industry?
A: Honestly, music is the only thing I’m truly passionate about. I’ve been writing songs since I was an 8-year-old and singing since before I can remember. I would always say I was going to be a singer when I was a kid, but never realised how serious I was about it until my senior year of high school. I really believe it’s my calling, so after high school, I devoted all my time to learning everything that I could about the industry.
OSR: Do you have any musical background?
A: Pretty much everything I’ve learned is self-taught. I naturally wrote music. I taught myself piano and I learned everything about the industry by researching and being guided by talented people.
OSR: You released your debut EP Aud in April. Can you tell us about the concept of the EP?
A: I’ve written hundreds of songs. When I picked my first four to produce I wanted to show a variety of stories. Each song has it’s own characters, journey and outcome.
‘Automatic’ is about two people who see one another across a club and instantly feel connected. ‘Sweet Everleigh’ is the emotional story of two sisters who’ve lost their mother and experience a disconnect in their relationship. ‘Welcome To The Unknown’ is about the anxiety of facing change and the need to embrace it. ‘Built To Rise’ is the story of a man who gets released from prison and is determined to change his life for the better, or so he thinks.
OSR: Aud was self-produced; what was this experience like?
A: Very stressful, but rewarding! I was working on an EP about two years ago when the whole team flaked. I decided if I learned everything then I wouldn’t need to rely on anyone. I did a lot of research, found a great group of musicians who were just as driven and had to learn all the facets on my own. These four songs took longer to produce than a normal EP would since there was a learning curve.
‘Welcome To The Unknown’ was my guinea pig and when I said it sucked at first, I mean it. *laughs* The mix came back and it was not what I wanted at all. I didn’t have the chops to produce yet, but I was extremely lucky to have my talented bandmate Giovanni Recchi. We tore apart the song, found a new strategy and made it into what it is now.
After that, I was able to get a better handle on the rest of the EP. I was also very blessed to have an amazing team in recording and post-production who helped guide me through the process.
OSR: Do you feel there is a theme throughout the EP?
A: The theme of this EP is new beginnings. Each song is about someone starting something new. ‘Automatic’ is about meeting someone new. ‘Sweet Everleigh’ is about a new loss. ‘Welcome To The Unknown’ is about a new chapter in life. ‘Built To Rise’ is about starting a new life in general.
OSR: Which is your favourite track and why?
A: I love all four tracks for different reasons, but ‘Sweet Everleigh’ is my favourite of the EP. The story is two sisters who’ve lost their mother and the eldest sister becomes emotionally distant. The story isn’t mine, but the emotions behind the song are. I recently lost a cousin who was like a brother to me. When I wrote the song his loss was raw; I didn’t realise it until the song was fully finished. How the music came together really emphasised the message. Loss is hard, but you need to lean on those around you or you’ll start to lose yourself.
OSR: What about your least favourite track?
A: This is a lame answer, but it’s true. I don’t have a least favourite. All the flaws in the tracks make them unique.
OSR: With all the streaming platforms online, do you think it is more difficult to have your music heard?
A: I think there are negatives and positives. The main negative is anyone can put their music up for streaming now, so it’s hard to be heard. The positive is that I don’t need to rely on a record label. I created my own record label and am able to make music on my own terms.
OSR: How do you stay motivated?
A: It is really, really hard to constantly be rejected and have to pick up the pieces and start over. I just keep telling myself that I am super talented and all I need is that one break. Success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years of grunt work and building. I also know no-one cares unless they think everyone cares, so it’s about getting that first group of people to start caring to spark it.
OSR: What do you want people to take from your music?
A: I want people to feel connected to my music. I try to make every story unique but have that underlying emotion that any person can relate to. I think the best stories are able to entertain but are also emotionally relatable to the audience.
OSR: If you could meet anyone (not a musician), who would it be and why?
A: That’s such a hard question!! If I’m relating it to songwriting, I would like to meet Stephen King. I want to know how he comes up with his concepts. His stories are always so captivating.
OSR: Do you have any future plans for 2020?
A: I’m crossing my fingers that this will be the year people start to discover my music, so that means my plan for 2020 is a ton of work. *laughs*
I already don’t have much of a social life, but I’m expecting even less of one. Hey, if it all works out in the end, every invested minute was worth it!
OSR: Any message for our readers?
A: Thank you so much for reading about me! My music is streaming on all platforms and you can see various lyric, cover and music videos on my Youtube channel. This is only the beginning of my music career, so I’m honoured that you care in the beginning!
Thanks to Audri for chatting with us! You can find more about Audri on her Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
