07.01.06
Interview with: Au4
By Stacy Sardelli
Editor in Chief

Down-tempo / Shoegaze / Electronica

Au4 are: Aaron Wylie (keyboards, vocals), Ben Wylie (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Jason Nickel (bass, vocals, keyboards), and Nathan Wylie (drums, percussion).

Official partial description: "For brothers Ben, Aaron and Nathan Wylie and their friend Jason Nickel, music has always been a constant in their lives. As the Vancouver-based electronic ensemble Au4 (pronounced: oh-four), the four musicians have created a debut album that explores and celebrates the other endless forces that shape and bind us. 'On Audio', the groups new full-length release, is an uplifting, ethereal trip through the rhythms of nature and the nature of dreams, mixing blissed-out ambience with melodic, fairytale songs."

Interview

Babble & Beat - In your own words, how would you distinguish your music from other music?

Jason - The difference between our music and other music that I listen to is, our music tends to be a lot slower for far more of the time. I think because of that the listener picks up on the emotions that are being put out there. Another thing is that our music sounds so simple. But believe me, it's really quite complex to put it mildly. Ask any of the drummers that have sat in with us. They show up and say "It all sounds pretty straight forward." Then they end up begging for more rehearsals before the gig. I'm not saying we've done something that hasn't been done before, but usually when music is complicated it sounds like it. Our music is complicated but it's a very relaxing listen. Only after repeat listens do you really start to hear what is all involved.

Aaron - I find we use far less banjo than other music.

Ben - It's a unique amalgamation of our favourite genres.

Babble & Beat - You have been inspired by Electronica music and the artists Nine Inch Nails, Massive Attack, Moby, Bjork, Air, Underworld,... What bands/releases do you currently find yourselves listening to?

Jason - I'm into almost everything Mike Patton ever laid his hands on. I'm a pop rock guy at the end of the day. Billy Talent, Gnarls Barkley, Jamiroquai, Tears For Fears, ... all the way back to the Beatles, baby.

Babble & Beat - Mike Patton is insanely talented!

Ben - Soundtracks: Cliff Martinez (Solaris), James Newton Howard (Snow Falling on Cedars), Free Association (Code 46), and Hans Zimmer (Thin Red Line).

Aaron - Internet and satellite radio - stations like Ambient, Down-tempo and House.

Babble & Beat - I read that many of your songs were created from mental images and pictures. Was there a "Tree That Lived And Died Right Before My Eyes?" Please explain the specific inspiration and details behind the creation of this track.

Ben - That tree doesn't actually exist anywhere. It's more of a metaphor of what happens when succumbing to impatience; or rushing a process that is intended to unfold naturally over time (ie. love, change in others, or even change in ourselves). Our clumsy hands fumble and break things easily whereas the sun and rain will bloom a flower in due season.

Babble & Beat - Your music seems to be circulating pretty well. You've gotten radio and club play, you've had over 56,695 visitors to your MySpace website, your music was featured in the Crazy 8s Film Festival's podcast for their 8th Anniversary, you were a showcase artist on the New Music Canada (NMC) website, and your music was featured during the recent Bauhaus / Nine Inch Nails / Peaches tour (before their performances).

When did you realize that you were becoming more known?

Aaron - We're still at the beginning of our journey.

Ben - All these things have been fantastic, but just a small glimpse of what we hope to accomplish.

Jason - Are we becoming known? Wake me up when we get there. Who am I fooling, bass players never get recognized anyway.

Babble & Beat - How would you describe the live Au4 experience? I understand the visual aspect of it is almost as, if not as, important as the music itself.

Aaron - The live show for us is the culmination of our input and creativity - giving us the opportunity to craft an audio/visual experience for our audience.

Ben - The visuals complete the experience. Sight and sound complement each other equally in daily life, so it seems only fitting that the live show incorporate so many visual elements.

Jason - I would say it's a good show. Lots to look at. Lots to listen to. Lots of energy. Lots of patience. We aim to please.

Babble & Beat - Are there any current plans for a U.S. tour?

Aaron & Ben - Nothing concrete at this point, but yes, we're absolutely looking forward to visiting our fans in the States.

Babble & Beat - Something for us to look forward to!

You are working on a Au4 re-mix album. What is your target release date? In what direction are you taking some of the songs?

Aaron & Ben - We're excited about building relationships with remixers who span a multitude of genres at it enriches the project.

Babble & Beat - What other future plans/goals do you have for Au4?

Aaron & Ben - Reaching a global audience and developing the live show into something that moves audiences regardless of geographic location.

Jason - These days we're really focused on trying to gain as much exposure as possible. We're also trying to build a solid Au4 team. It takes a lot more people than the four of us on stage, to pull our show off and handle all the bizz. Beyond that, I think Au4 will end up being a fantastic launching pad for different directions in sound and sight. The goal is to take this thing to the limit......AND BEYOND!

Babble & Beat - What is your favorite Au4 song and why?

Aaron - "Hit and Miss" - because of the visual that it stirs up in my mind (ie. innocence).

Jason - "Papercuts..." because the bass line Ben wrote for me kills so good.

Ben - "Of Dreams" - it was one of the only songs that I dreamt about and actually remembered when I woke up.

Juicy Tidbits Section

This is where we ask personal questions for the fans. Yeah, they're often stupid questions. We like reading the answers though!

Babble & Beat - What are some of your favorite pastimes (sports played, collecting, other hobbies, video games, etc.)?

Aaron - I like collecting dust.

Babble & Beat - Yeah, me too.

Ben - I like collecting insects.

Jason - I shop till I drop. But not like a girl. Like a man. I collect sun glasses and shoes. I snowboard in the winter, go to the chiropractor and sit on the beach all summer. Oh yah, I'm addicted to music. It's a habit I just can't kick.

Babble & Beat - What do you usually drink with dinner?

Jason - I usually start with a gin and tonic, then an appropriate wine with my entree, then kick it with my good buddy "beer".

Aaron - Soda water.

Ben - Hot water with lime.

Babble & Beat - What is your favorite vacation spot?

Ben - Elat.

Aaron - Okanagan Valley in the summer (usually means I'm with close friends).

Jason - Vegas, Tokyo.

In Closing

Au4 pays attention to every single aspect of being a band, and every single detail of their work, making Au4 a completely unique, well-rounded, and worthwhile experience. A huge thanks to Jason, Ben, & Aaron of Au4 for granting us this interview! Sorry our schedules clashed, Nathan! - Stacy

Au4 offers some very cool band merchandise on their site! They offer limited edition, handcrafted leather belts and cuffs that are embossed with Au4 lyrics!

Check out the 'On: Audio' cd cover art. They commissioned award-winning artist, Vincent Marcone to do the work and it is amazing! He is also assisting in the design aspect of their official website overhaul.

Links:
Official site
Official MySpace - music clips!