Interview with Pete Devine of Pete’s Rock News and Views (https://petesrocknewsandviews.com)
PD: How would you describe yourself or your band as an artist?
Augur: This is a hard question because it is so general; i am what i am. The same goes for the band. Everything was written spontaneously together as a group, we just let the music go where it goes best from our hands and minds
PD: Can you tell us briefly about your background – i.e. where you’re from, how you came to make music, etc.
Augur: I grew up in the coldest, greyest, rainiest area of the Midwest with nothing to do for more than half the year. Music was ubiquitous in my home. I was raised on classical music. From a young age i showed interest in percussion, pulling pots and pans from the cupboard to play as a kit. I played piano as a child but always wanted to play drums. In 5th grade i just happened to purchase Metallica’s “Ride the Lightning” randomly off the shelf at a book store back when that was how you found new music, lurking down the isles of CDs, just because it looked cool. It was game over from there. The next thing was Gorgoroth, then Dimmu, then… by the end of 6th grade i had a kit and started a death metal band.. I haven’t stopped making music since.
PD: Who and what inspires you to make music, both in terms of musical and other influences? What do you like to write about in your songs?
Augur: Literally everything inspires me. I can’t stop. Riffs just show up in my head. When im trying to sleep, when im eating, when im driving. It’s constant and pervasive, like a curse. I must oblige. Most of the lyrics are about how fucking wild, sad, painful, crazy and stupid people are, finding meaning in the meaningless hopeless tragedy that is the human experience.
PD: What are your aspirations as an artist?
Augur: To make music I want to listen to.
PD: What is the proudest moment in your music career so far?
Augur: I wouldn’t call it a career and I’m too self critical to be proud of my creations but i
am pretty happy with how things turned out and its been a fun ride. I guess i’m proud that we actually finished it from top to bottom.
PD: Promoting one’s music is such a challenge these days, especially with so many new artists emerging from bedrooms in the day of the home studio. How is that going?
Augur: It sucks. I hate social media and its only gotten more difficult for the independent, small people. But i dunno, i don’t really care. We’re just putting it out there and doing a little promotion and then i’ll just let it ride how it rides. None of us are trying to make it as musicians. We do this because we want to. Black Metal isn’t about everyone else. PD: And how do you book and promote your live shows and tours? Any performances coming up? No
PD: What do you think about downloading music online? What about streaming sites like Spotify?
Augur: Open source, pay if you want. Gatekeeping is lame. If you want the music for free just ask, buy the album if you think its cool.
PD: What song do you wish you’d written and why?
Augur: I have no idea what this question means.
PD: Is there anything you don’t like about the music industry, which you would change if you could?
Augur: It’s a bunch of sluts just trying their best to make a buck. People want you to pay for interviews or whatever. Fuck “the industry,” music is supposed to be art.
PD: So, what are you working on at the moment?
Augur: Now that i’m finally done with this I can focus on making new music. I’ve got some things in works…
PD: Where can we learn more about you and buy your music/merch online?
Augur: augur.bandcamp.com -victor
Augur links:
Band/Artist location – USA
You Tube – Bandcamp – Merch – Instagram –
Check our page for Auger
