Auguste Kingdom Interview

Auguste Kingdom Interview

Ethereal pop duo, Auguste are set to release their new single, Kingdom on April 15, a synth-soaked call-to-arms for those defending themselves against personal space invaders. The talented gals have also released a stunning video to accompany the single which features contemporary dancers Jess Statton and Aiden Kane Munn in a sharp studio landscape turned battleground against doubt.

Off the back of the success of their last single Slow Motion, which has almost 200,000 streams on Soundcloud, Kingdom is a mature offering from the duo. Produced by renowned Australian musician and producer Andy Bull, Kingdom comes as a welcome anthem about taking control of your own personal space. Written by the step-sisters and self-confessed BFFs, Skye Lockwood and Beth Keough, the single is reminiscent of London Grammar, Bat for Lashes and Ellie Goulding, with effortless vocal harmonies, climactic synth swells, dramatic silences and thought-provoking lyrics. Of the release, vocalist and guitarist Lockwood says, 'Kingdom is about personal space and the challenges we face when others are invading that space in a negative way…it's really a bit of an -eff you' to anyone who has ever tried to control you or tell you what to do."

The accompanying video for Kingdom is clean, regal and promotes a sense of strength and independence in the face of negativity. Produced by Rebecca Elliot, directed & edited by Alfonso Coronel and filmed by David Gregan, the clip depicts Auguste as modest royalty, watching over as two dancers illustrate a battle for -the kingdom'. Reflecting on the clip, vocalist and keyboardist Beth Keough explains, 'The song is called Kingdom because of the lyric -this corner is my kingdom', so there is royal imagery worked into the scenes…. we wanted the clip to evoke that feeling of ownership."

The Adelaide-natives are thrilled to release Kingdom into the world, and this is just the beginning for the pair who are already working on their next single, with plans for an EP in the near future. In the meantime, Keough says the duo are content with the Auguste lifestyle. 'We both live in Adelaide and it's a pretty bloody good life, living close to town. It's affordable for an artist and there is always so much to do, the creative scene is really thriving here at the moment and we both love getting out amongst it, and getting inspired by it all."

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View the video for KINGDOM           

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Interview with Beth Keough

Question: How would you describe your music?

Beth Keough: Ethereal Pop, Electronic, Broody Vocals


Question: What was the main inspiration behind Kingdom?

Beth Keough: Musically, we have been getting used to working with more electronic sounds, so we were listening to artists like Chvrches, FKA twigs, Highasakite (and heaps more) to channel some song writing vibes and get ideas about synths and arrangements etc. In terms of what the song is about, the theme emerged from both of us discussing boundaries in terms of what people can demand of you and what you can demand of other people… and learning how to own your own space and feelings about something… Some people are really good at that, others take it waaaay to far, and some people are really bad at it…So we were just reflecting on that and where we fit on the spectrum!


Question: Can you tell us about working with Andy Bull?

Beth Keough: Andy is so great to work with! He's a really inspiring dude. He has a lot of ideas and loves to talk them through so we found that really interesting and helpful. It was also great just getting to know more about his processes and styles in terms of vocals, song writing and production stuff –in the conversations or time we had with him I guess we saw him as a bit of a mentor.


Question: What was it like filming the video for Kingdom?

Beth Keough: It was really fun! We had a pretty short time frame and the film team did an ace job at pulling it all together so quickly. The actual shoot day was awesome fun, we were working in a huge studio space and got to watch shoots of all the different scenes. Everybody had some input around shot and wardrobe design!


Question: Why did you choose to feature contemporary dancers Jess Statton and Aiden Kane Munn?

Beth Keough: We decided pretty early on that we wanted contemporary dance in this clip. Jess is a good friend of Skye's and we knew she was a great choreographer so we approached her and straight away she decided to enlist Aiden, who's been a mentor of hers for years. We were pretty blown away by how great the dance is considering the short time frame they had to nut it out – and they both look so great on screen!

Question: Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?

Beth Keough: We've been involved in industry for a while now. I guess in a lot of ways my preconceived ideas were that the industry was more glamorous than it is. I think a lot of people think that from the outside. Most people work incredibly hard in the music world and sometimes for very little reward or recognition. We have had some unreal experiences and love what we do though, so we wouldn't give that up for anything!


Question: Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?

Beth Keough: Yes! We have both been writing songs for a long time. Although I think we have evolved quite a bit from the songs we used to write! Like songs about primary school boyfriends ;) haha.

We tend to let ideas just pour out, for me that usually starts at the piano, and then we'll try and think of cool little metaphors or rhymes that represent something we've been thinking or feeling. Nowadays we've become a bit more structured with it though; we'll start with a theme and reference other music we're listening to. For example, I might hear a song with a really cool synth or bass sound and think -I wanna write something like that' - then I sit down and muck around with sounds and it grows from there.


Question: What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

Beth Keough: At the moment a lot of Grimes, Phantogram, Youth Lagoon, Mr Little Jeans, Purity Ring, Warpaint… I mix it up with some older favs too like Cat Power, Smashing Pumpkins, Strokes, Tori Amos, Kate Bush.


Question: What's next? Tour/Album/Single?

Beth Keough: Another single and some shows! We have a few things lined up in both spaces. Can't say much at this stage though - watch this space!

Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

Beth Keough: Haha yes! As I said before the music industry can be a lot of work for not much reward at times. I would never stop creating music though. I have learnt recently to pace things a little better. If I put too much pressure on myself then I start resenting what I am doing and that's not helpful! I have another career outside of music as well so I balance my working week between the two.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Beth Keough: Nothing really compares to those exhilarating moments you have when you are smashing a live performance. Live performance can also be really stressful though. I do really enjoy both - but if I had to choose, I would lock myself in a studio and make music all day…being an exhibitionist doesn't really come naturally to me!


Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Beth Keough: I'm not sure I really had one. I just started writing songs, and my main inspiration when I began writing was probably Tori Amos. But I never really aspired to go into the music industry, it kinda just happened.


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Beth Keough: Time management! … I find it hard to prioritize song writing, over learning a new program or improving my piano skills or rehearsing vocal lines for a live show. I've learnt to just spend a bit of time on everything, and if I'm really getting somewhere with one aspect I knuckle down until I'm over it.

Criticism is tough too… From others, and also self-criticism can be pretty debilitating. You really have to learn to take the good with the bad. Everybody has a different opinion about what you do and not everyone is going to like it. I'm starting to get used to that but I'm still a bit of a sensitive cat.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Beth Keough: Always starts with coffee …I am actually studying at the moment (something completely unrelated to music) - so I balance my day between study and rehearsing. I haven't really been writing a lot of music lately because we've been focusing on prepping live stuff. An ideal day would involve a few hours in the studio or a tinker on the piano. I also love cooking, gardening, running, yoga - so I break the deskwork stuff up with a bit of domestic/fitness stuff… Healthy balance! Haha I'm starting to sound like I'm on a McCain's healthy choice add or something :/


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Beth Keough: The way it allows me to express myself, and constantly inspires me to think of new ideas and develop new skills. I also love the people I have met and connected with, it's wonderful being surrounded by like-minded, creative and passionate peeps.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Beth Keough: Probs Grimes… Or Baths – ah that guy is amazing!


Question: Can you tell us 5 things required for a happy healthy & enjoyable life?

Beth Keough: Time to yourself…Laughter…Good Music... Time with friends and family... Good coffee and good wine!!


Question: What is the story behind the band's name?

Beth Keough: We started the band in the month of August and thought it sounded like a cool band name! Then we added the -e' on the end because we thought it would be easier to differentiate. The name also has a bit of sentimental meaning for us... a close family member passed away in August, and their birthday was in August too. Also my great grandfather's first name was Auguste – that was a weird coincidence we found out later!


Interview by Brooke Hunter