Getting To Know... august at night

After spending the last few months building and developing his sound, US artist august the night is now ready to introduce himself with the shimmering debut single 'Realer'.

Channelling the soft and ambient direction of acts like Frank Ocean and Sampha, 'Realer' makes for a wonderfully smooth and captivating introduction to his sound. With his light and airy vocals riding a hollowed bed of breezy production, it already feels like we will be hearing a lot more from him in the near future.

So with the new single out now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has inspired him most over the years.

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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?

The voice. I sang before I played piano. Played piano before guitar. Guitar before production.

What kind of music did you love when you were younger?

The kind you could cry to.

What was the first album you remember owning?

The Lion King Soundtrack.

What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?

Voodoo by Frank Ocean.

Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?

Hot tea, a long shower, and trying to live as much as possible.

Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?

Doja Cat, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Weeknd, Frank Ocean (forever favorite), Liana Flores, girlhouse, James Blake, Jaden.

If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?

The Weeknd.

What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?

Growing. It’s been a constant theme. It’s like holding a mirror up to your life. To all the ways you exist or know to be, and all the things that have shaped, hurt, or touched you. You listen back to old stuff and see how you’ve grown. You learn new tricks and feel yourself growing. You experience new moments, people, places, and imagine where you might go next.

And what is the most frustrating part?

Rejection.

And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?

“Focus on setting a mood, and on your conversation with the crowd. That’s performance in a nutshell.” Advice from a comedian at an open mic at age 16, before this project was born.

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august at night's debut single 'Realer' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.