AUDG
By Sean Maldjian, Contributor
Photo by, Sara Laufer
Meet AUDG
A self-portrait by, AUDG
Would you rather…
your skin flash like a fast strobe light, or be incredibly slippery? Why?
I'd rather my skin flash like a strobe light. Being incredibly slippery sounds like nightmare fuel, could I hold my cats? A glass of water? At least if I flashed people could close their eyes and still enjoy my company.
Some questions with AUDG
First of all Hey, nice to meet you. Can you tell us a little about your project?
Hey! Nice to meet you too. I'm AUDG, I'm an indie musician living and breathing in Brooklyn. I'm on the Paper Moon Records roster, and I'm currently working on recording and releasing a ton of material I've built up over the years. I'm influenced by other indie artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Bon Iver, Lucy Dacus, and the like, and I've been told that really comes through in my music.
How would you fill the perfect 24 hours in a day?
How would I fill the perfect 24 hours in a day ... tough one. I think I'd wake up around 8 or 9am, hopefully the weather is like 60-70 degrees, have a cup of coffee on my balcony with my girlfriend. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day by far (I get that from my mom) - so I think I'd go out to breakfast with my girlfriend and maybe some friends. After I'd probably sit in the park, listening to music or playing guitar - a perfect day would definitely include getting a wave of inspiration and writing a new song. Maybe would go on a bike ride or a run, then have dinner/drinks with my good pals somewhere chill. Depends on the day, but perhaps we'd go out to a show or DJ set too. Also I'd look hot all day, no exceptions. Then go to bed and sleep for a solid 7-8 hours. THAT is the perfect day.
Your single ‘World’s End’ recently dropped. How do you feel about the reception to the single so far?
Yes! "World's End" is my debut single and it came out last month, we're rocking at 12K streams and counting which I'm super stoked about. I hoped the track would do well, but I'm really blown away by hitting the double digit thousands on my first official release. I'm getting a ton of love from friends, family, and random strangers too. It's been really fun to watch the data in the artist profile section, and to see how many "sad" playlists it gets added to.
If you had an hour to kill, would you play on your phone or go look for people to meet?
Hm, another tough one. I feel like I'm having imposter syndrome with this one, I think I WANT to be the person that goes looking for interaction, but realistically I'd probably play on my phone. just being HONEST!
The track makes a few mentions to being ‘stuck in a memory’ do you think there is a healthy way we can hold on to the past without letting it consume our present?
I mean, at a certain point you've got to move on from the past, especially with "World's End" subject matter of a romantic situationship that lingers through time. I don't think it's healthy to hold onto those things, I think it's something you have to learn to leave in the past, stop having regrets or those "what-if" thoughts and keep your life moving. You miss out on the present by being worried about the future or the past. I love my life now, and not that I didn't love it then or I won't love it in the future, but it's about focusing on where you are and what you're experiencing today. We can honor the past and where it's gotten us, but "holding on" is going to stop you from being able to reach present potential - in all aspects of life. I can't hold on to who I was in high school or college, but I can be grateful that I grew from those times and I am who I am now.
If the price was no object what would be the perfect bagel?
Bacon Egg and Cheese. Eggs over easy. American cheese. Salt pepper ketchup. Sesame bagel.
Who was an influential member of your family growing up. Have they made a mark on the music you are recording today?
I'm gonna cheat and give you three people because my influences are very much a blend. Most blatantly, my mom. We'd always be listening and singing along to a ton of pop, pop-rock, and radio hits. Next, my Dad had a totally different influence - he loved easy-listening James Taylor, Carole King, Norah Jones, etc. and lastly, I spent a ton of time with my Aunt Judy who really introduced me to 80s and rock - can't here "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins without thinking of her! I feel like the blend of kinds of music I love is a result of those influences from my family, and it totally comes through in weird ways through my own music.
What are the most comfortable pair of shoes you own?
Vans slip-ons, checkered white on white/grey.
How do you approach writing lyrics? Where do they usually start for you?
I usually write my lyrics after I sort some bit of chord progression out. It depends, but typically I have either a line I came up with that I feel like I can expand on, or I have a really strong feeling about something in my life that I need to get out of me, but it always typically starts with guitar or piano first.
Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)
I'm just really grateful to be able to make music and share it out there. 1000 roses to Jake Cheriff at Paper Moon for being the amazing producer he is, and to Sara Laufer too for creative inspiration always. The both of them really changed something for me when they wanted to work with me after I essentially cold-pitched myself to Paper Moon. I gained a ton of confidence when I did that first session with Jake, and seeing the reception of 'World's End' now just really solidified this passion for me. I am so inspired by the whole Paper Moon roster so much too, and it's awesome to be connected now to a group of super nice and talented people. As a final note, I'm playing at C'Mon Everybody on Friday, September 23rd with my musical friends nellie and Tim Mountain.
Thanks for asking me to do this interview! I appreciate the look! <3