AU/RA: INTERVIEW


by martina rexrode

photo courtesy of au/ra

20-year-old Au/Ra's 2018 single "Panic Room" put her on the map in the dark electronic pop world and opened the door to collaborations and writing credentials with artists like Jax and Alan Walker. Today, she's continuing to explore genres and musical worlds with her most recent collaborative single “Highs And Lows” with German DJ/producer ATB and York. Unclear sat down with Au/Ra to discuss this single and the future of her musical journey.

Congratulations on your latest single! How did this collaboration with ATB and York come about?

Au/Ra: “My dad (York) has been working with ATB since the 90s, and wanted to collaborate once again. It worked out perfectly that I happened to be home for the holidays in 2022, and heard the track and loved it. I quickly wrote the song within two hours, and recorded it right away, and ta daaa! That’s pretty much how it happened.”

Would you say this single sets the tone for the types of releases we can expect from you this year? Or are you taking your non-collaborative music in a different direction?

Au/Ra: “Oh, definitely. I will always have a love for dance music, but, at my core I am an alternative experimental pop girl. I love creating lyrical worlds and conceptual videos for my listeners to really dig into, and I can’t wait to keep on doing that.”

Aside from those you’ve worked with before, what are some of your dream collaborations?

Au/Ra: “My ultimate crazy *dream* collabs are Lana Del Rey, Daft Punk, Gesaffelstein, Mitski, Melanie Martinez, and Halsey.”

photo courtesy of au/ra

Your single “Panic Room” was released when you were only 16 years old. What is the biggest thing you’ve learned since the success you first gained in 2018?

Au/Ra: “Nobody teaches you how to handle the business side of things in the music industry — you have to figure that out on your own, sometimes by misstepping, by getting hurt. Especially when you’re so young, it can be really confusing when you realize not everyone wants the best for you, even if they are acting like they do. So let trust be earned. Listen to your gut instinct.”

Have you utilized social media to get your music out to listeners recently in new ways than you did when you were first getting started?

Au/Ra: “The social media world is an ever changing beast. So many things have changed since I first started. TikTok has definitely changed the whole game for artists.”

How has your musical style developed over the years?

Au/Ra: “I’ve pushed myself to try new things and have been inspired by different genres over the years. Recently I’ve been experimenting and finding the collaborators who want to let go of the boundaries. It feels really good.”

Are there specific genres that influence your music during the writing process?

Au/Ra: “Inspiration can come from anything for me — a lot of it is from watching fantasy and dystopian anime and tv shows. Been mixing in elements of rock and hyper-pop into my music as well.” 

What are your biggest goals for 2023 — music-wise or more generally?

Au/Ra: “I really want to learn how to feel content with the moment, and not always like I’m last in a rat race. I’m trying, but it’s hard with the nature of this kind of career [laughs]. Other than that, I’m pursuing a lot of creative things that are making me feel so happy at the moment that I can’t wait to reveal.”

 

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AU/RA: INTERVIEW


by mariah estran

photo courtesy of au/ra

photo courtesy of au/ra

The 18-year-old singer-songwriter Au/Ra gave the world her fiery take on the alt-pop sound with her new single, “Dead Girl."

If you took pop-centric roots and added a hint of darkness, “Dead Girl” would be the result. A tune that would find attention from Dua Lipa fans; while pleasing those who enjoy the gloomier beats of Billie Eilish. It’s a fierce release, one that shows her unique flair, and how she overcomes personal obstacles.

The title is more than a spooky reference. It’s describing the feeling of being out of place and possibly unseen. That visual came to life in her recently released music video for the track. In a zombie-like state, she walks around in a 3D-generated, dystopian universe. Once viewing, she can no longer be unnoticed. She’s here to invite you to her universe.

We got the chance to speak with Au/Ra about “Dead Girl.” She told us more about the track, creating the music video, finding her sound, and what she has planned next.

 

You’ve recently released “Dead Girl,” this nervy alt-pop tune that touches on feelings of being out of place and the anxiety that can stem from that. What made you want to share this story with your listeners?

Au/Ra: “I’ve felt out of place many times in my life, mainly just because of what I’m like as a person — an ambivert weeb. I didn’t want to feel guilty about who I was anymore, and I hated overthinking ‘fitting in’ all the time. The song explores those emotions. I just wanted to feel like I was unapologetically being myself, even if that meant being ‘dead’ to the people that don’t understand me.”

The music video for “Dead Girl” depicts you in an almost zombie state in a video game-type world. It’s very cool! What inspired this visual?

A: “I really just wanted to create some kind of undead outsider heroine with a mission to unite people who feel the same way as her. With it being COVID times, making something animated was the easiest option, so it felt like the perfect moment to create a video game-like world for her to live in. So glad we got to do it!”

 

What was the filming process like considering there was a mix of real footage and digital art?

A: “It was wild. Seeing everything build up from these stills and things we selected or designed, to an actual video game-like world was a dream come true for me (being a bit of a gamer [laughs]).”

You have this great sound that mixes dark melodies with pop elements that create a complementing softness. How have you developed your sound and who inspires you?

A: “Thank you! I think it’s just what I love creating. I’ve grown up listening to a mixture of soft pop and dark electronic music from what my parents would make and listen to around the house, so that kind of just inspired me too. The things I watch and read are also of the darker dystopian genre or anime, so those kinds of stories have inspired my lyrics loads.”

You’re currently working on a project that is set to release soon. What can you tell us about what you’re working on? What can listeners expect? 

A: “It feels so weird officially talking about this — it’s been a long time coming — but yeah! I’m ecstatic. I’ve explored a lot of different corners of my sound, and I can’t wait to hear what my audience and new listeners think.”

 

Before the release of this project, can fans expect more singles?

A: “Hard to say too much, but yes, there’s consistently always something coming up. I’m so excited.”

 

FIND AU/RA ONLINE

WEBSITE TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK