Forward by: Andrew Wayne and Sarah Anderson
Interview by: Laura DeSantis-Olsson
Aurin began as a vision of Guitarist Andrew Wayne in 2002. Andrew’s goal was to write music that appealed to the mind, heart, soul, and emotions of the listener by combining beautiful harmonies with an in-your-face heavy-type of style. In 2009, he was joined by drummer, Linda Medina, who, in college, previously studied under Professional International Jazz Drummer, Karl Latham. In October 2010, Sarah Anderson was informed that the band had been looking for a lead vocalist. Excited about the opportunity, and Aurin’s captivating, eclectic, and powerful sound, Sarah immediately auditioned and became a perfect fit. Later Aurin would find bassist Joe Palamara who filled the last and final piece.
Growing up, the members of Aurin have all been effected by challenges such as mental illness, poverty, and bullying. All coming from backgrounds of mental illness and disability, Aurin believes in writing emotionally heavy music to help show that you are never alone. Music was the one channel that provided answers, and allowed the members to connect with one another. “It is our goal to continue using music as a creative outlet and to keep writing songs that our fans can relate to”, says vocalist Sarah Anderson. Our ultimate goal is to raise mental illness and disability awareness by stepping forward and giving a voice to the voiceless with the only thing we know, music. Our mental health system is designed to push us downward rather than help us get back up during our most difficult moments. Get behind us, show that you aren’t alone, and fight together with us to show that each and every one of us has a VOICE!!
Photo by: SMW Photo and Restoration
1. Why is music such a powerful tool for conveying a message or feeling?
Sarah: “Writing music can be a very satisfying way to release emotions. Hence, the album title “Catharsis”. It’s all about taking the anger, depression, helplessness or any other crippling emotion and turning it into a piece of art. We may not be proud of these feelings, but we can use those feelings to create something that we are proud of.”
Andrew: “Art of any sort is an expression of emotion and an insight to the way your brain works. Maybe that’s why so many of the most creative are/were the most tormented. Music itself is so powerful because not only do you have the lyrical portion, like a great book, that can speak to you; it is also coupled with the instrumentals that take on a whole life and message of its own.”
Linda: “Sometimes there is no other way to you express your emotions. And music always has been therapeutic to me both releasing it and listening it. Through music I know more people will relate to our message and emotions.”
Joe: “It’s like a shortcut to emotion… you don’t even need words to get a feeling from it. So just with the right collection of tones, you can feel every single thing, and make anyone feel the same. I’ve had days where I just spend hours listening to the same track over and over just for the way it makes me feel. It engages the whole mind in a way nothing else can.”
2. Does the message, “You are not alone,” of your earlier music continue to be the common thread throughout the songs on your recently released album, Catharsis?
Sarah: “Well basically, “You’re not alone.” Everybody goes through struggles. Everybody’s going through some kind of challenge. “Your not alone, we’re going through struggles as well,” is the overall message of our music.”
“There’s always somewhere to go from where you are right now. We think it’s an album you will really enjoy and connect to. We really want to share that with everybody.”
Andrew: “Even if it’s not the same thing, we’re all going through struggles as well. Everybody’s problems and issues are different and no one situation is exactly the same. We’ve been through a lot and we can empathize with what others are going through and what they’re are feeling.”
“Even with our first album, “You are not alone,” is actually written inside the booklet. It’s a big thing for us to convey that message. If you are at a low point, you can only go up from there.”
3. Is it hard to be vulnerable in your music? Do you sometime feel insecure about releasing your feelings?
Sarah: “Music is vulnerability. Playing music is about bearing your soul. I found when we initially started playing live shows, it was my goal to be as close to perfect technically as I possibly could which made it somewhat lacking in the emotional aspect live. Since then, I’ve learned to find more of a balance of both and am not as afraid to let go or hit a different note here and there.”
Andrew: “Being vulnerable through the music that I’ve written was actually how I learned to be vulnerable during every day human interaction. When I was a kid, I felt alone and music was the only thing that helped me understand differently. While I was never insecure about releasing the most private parts of myself through song, it was difficult for me at that young age to open up to those who did care about me.”
Linda: “Music is the first thing I go to when I’m feeling vulnerable because it helps me cope and is the best form of catharsis I know.”
Joe: “In a way… I believe that I’m not alone in the way I feel, but I have a strong urge to impress other people. Sometimes I feel like releasing my feelings may be cliché if I don’t do it right, so sometimes I’ll hold back when it comes to whatever lyrics I may write from time to time. Unless I’m particularly inspired, I hold my words in and try to release more through tones.”
Aurin – “Holding On”
4. Off the new album Catharsis, what song do you each feel most connected to?
Linda: “Oh wow, that’s hard. I would day “Vermin”. I have a personal dedication to that song. Even tough it’s about something indirectly know to myself it takes on a personal meaning for me in other areas. “Vermin” really helps me release some emotions. It’s also one of my favorites to physically play. So I’m connected to it both psychologically and physically.”
Sarah: “Vermin” is a song about a person living with schizophrenia, who was brutally murdered by police. Writing this song was a way for me to get my feelings out about a situation. It was also written to raise awareness so things can be done to bring justice to these kind of situations. It’s a very angry song. Our friend’s name was Andrew Murnieks and we included him in the dedications on Catharsis.”
Andrew: “Vermin does hold a specific meaning. However, with most of our songs we take the approach of letting people figure out the meaning for themselves. If somebody knows an interpretation then they’re going to impose that meaning on the song.”
“Aside from the meaning, I currently have a new song of ours I feel most connected to. I recently learned of my friend’s passing. We literally grew up together and he lived in my house for a period of time too, he was a brother in all but blood. If you asked me what song I felt most connect to a moth ago, I probably would have told you something else. However as a result learning of my friends passing I would have to say, “The Other Side.”
Joe: “For me, although I wasn’t involved in the writing of it, “November,” is important to me. I love the sound of the song, the feeling while playing it is great for me. When I hear it, I think of moving on from someone that has hurt you in the past. This particular song speaks to me in that way. “
Andrew: “We’re planning to do a music video for “November” with Marco Bobadilla, who did our music video for, “Holding On.”
5. Do your fans experiencing depression ever reach out to your for advice? What advice do you give them? (you don’t have to give specific names or instances, just overall advice you would give)
Sarah: “Yes some of our fans have reached out to us regarding their depression or anxiety. It’s nice to know that they can confide and trust in us with their feelings. Depression, anxiety and mental illness in general is a struggle. Some advice that we have for those people is to talk about it, or write about it, make a song or get those feelings out in some way. Don’t bottle it up. You’re not crazy, humans are emotional beings and the world is far from perfect.”
Andrew: “At times fans have, yes. I am very public about my own suffering and the fact that I also work with mental illness for a living. I really wish it were as easy as saying there is a piece of advice that works for everyone, but if it were that simple, there would be no suffering. The best way I could answer this question is to anyone who has or is willing to open up to me and share the demons that haunt them, that I am there to listen and to talk whatever it may be out with them. Unfortunately, there is not one person that can wave a magic wand and make it all go away, but what I can do is offer my support, my friendship, and most importantly, my empathy.”
Linda: “I always say you are not alone and to never give up and it’s always better to talk to somebody about it with somebody else. Because you never know if they have already or are fighting the same battle.”
6. What music artist is your remedy for helping you emerge from your darker thoughts?
Sarah: “There are just so many artists who spill their souls through music, it’s encouraging and inspiring. Alice in Chains is a band I like to listen to when I am down in the dumps. Layne’s voice was so strong, raw and empowering, I can’t help but sing along. Opeth and Porcupine Tree are other bands I enjoy listening to when I am feeling depressed, but for a different reason. The complexity and overall atmosphere of the music forces me to get lost in it, and that can be very relaxing. The right music can also trigger that feeling of being alive, when I’m in a state of numbness.”
Andrew: “Two bands got me through my darkest times. Those two being Staind and Cold. Though now, depending on what I am going through, there are a whole variety of different artists that I listen to, from The Beatles to Sarah McLachlan.”
Linda: “Old school from the following Otep, Slipknot, Kittie, Linkin park, Avenged Sevenfold, Deftones, Disturbed, Santana…. Many others”
Joe: “Hammock and Explosions in the Sky. Post rock… Instrumental, ambient soundscapes that just manage to convey catharsis in an otherwise impossible to achieve manner. Hammock has a song called Mono No Aware which translates to “the pathos of things” or a gentle sadness for the transience of life. Whether you listen to it forwards or backwards, it makes you feel like nothing else I’ve ever heard. And when I hear it and look within, I find good thoughts I didn’t really know I could feel in some dark times.”
Photo by: SMW Photo and Restoration
7. What are your feelings on the newly emerging, non-profit organization, The You Rock Foundation, who’s mission is to overcome depression through music?
Sarah: “The You Rock Foundation is a great way to help bring awareness to things that a lot of people may be afraid to talk about such as depression, mental illness and suicide. I think it’s great because it gives musicians and music fans alike a way to come together and help one another. Artists such as Corey Taylor speaking out about their struggles with depression and suicidal ideation can really go a long way in encouraging people to seek help for what they are going through. It’s also a reminder that you are not alone.
Andrew: “I am in love with the idea. That is my life in a nutshell and what saved me to be brutally honest. I wish foundations like this existed when I was younger. I also wish that there were more organizations out there like You Rock as there is so much broken and shattered in the mental health system today.
Linda: “It’s about time something like this has emerged! I love it. Music is very powerful and for certain has alleviated depression amongst millions of people and help them overcome their darkest moments. Music is a gift and a medicine. I see nothing but positive leaps for this foundation.”
8. How was your experience recording your new album, Catharsis, with Grammy Award winning producer, Jason Corsaro?
Sarah: “To be honest, before meeting Jason I was very nervous. He’s worked with several big artists such as Soundgarden, Motorhead, won a Grammy for Steve Winwood’s “Back in the High Life” and even worked on Madonna’s “Like a Virgin”. It was an intimidating thought to have a producer of this caliber scoping us out and deciding if he wanted to work with us. However, upon meeting with Jason, he was very warm and friendly. I was pleasantly surprised by his response to the material we were working on. During recording, he had a very positive attitude and a sense of humor which made it a fun process. He also had very interesting ideas (such as having my vocals go through a leslie during “Hysteria”) allowed us to retain our creative freedom, and was very accommodating.
Andrew: “I was a fan of Jason Corsaro for a long time seeing that he worked on one of my favorite records, Soundgarden – Superunknown and has worked with other amazing artists such as Madonna, Motorhead, Buckcherry, etc…Working with him was fantastic and easy actually. He loved what we brought to the table music-wise and really did not want to change anything. It wasn’t one of those horror stories that you hear when a band goes into the studio and are forced to change and rewrite everything. He nurtured what we had and shared his brilliance and expertise on how to make it shine.”
Linda: “ First of all it was an honor to have him as our producer! It was everything I thought it would be plus more it was. Jason kept it very real he made it very comfortable for us. He’s a proffesional who knows what he’s doing and with some great stories to tell! I enjoyed sitting in the control room and watching him do his magic. Also I was quite humbled with the fact that he was impressed with my drumming. For Jason Corsaro to say that I changed his perspective on female drummers because I was that solid, had me quite honored.”
9. Where do you hope the message of your music takes you? What levels do you want to reach with this message?
Sarah: “We have a lot of really great supporters and fans of our music. We have fans that quote our lyrics and post them on their Facebook. We have several fans who are very dedicated to the music scene, and love music for it’s power of emotional release. They believe music to be extremely important. We are so happy that our music really helps them. It’s an amazing feeling.”
Andrew: “We want people to trust us. We hope that even at the level we are now, people trust us enough to come talk to us. Eventually, we would love to make a career out of what we do.
Linda: “Some of our dedicated fans come to every one of our shows. If there not there it doesn’t feel right. They always bring good vibes to us before we play.”
Joe: “Obviously I would love to have music, my big passion, be something I could be comfortable as a career with. For now, I’m coming from a different place where I got brought on to this project that everyone else in the band has been working on it for so long, for years. They also spent a lot of time and money in the studio creating the latest album. That speaks to me. One thing I want, more than anything else, I want to be able to connect with fans. One thing I consider a major goal, and a purpose in life, is to keep other people happy and make things better. So, when it comes to music and playing a show, if I see someone out there with a smilie on their face when I’m playing, that’s why I’m doing what I do. So if there’s one thing I want to do more than anything else, I want to be able to see that there are a bunch of people out there that are impacted by the music in a good way. I want to know that I’m making things better for everyone else. Although I would love to have a career in music, even before that happens it’s just one of the most important things for me to know that I’m making other people happier.
Thank you to our good friend Dagon J.B. Naxos for this awesome picture and of course your support. We love you brother!
10. How will you know when you’re succeeding at succeeding at sending the message, “You Are Not Alone?” How do you hope see the progress you are making? How do you want people to act differently for themselves?
Sarah: “I think there’s no way to ever really know your true success or how much you have helped someone. For instance, musicians I’ve been inspired by will never understand the full extent to which they have helped me become who I am as a person and musician. We can only hope to do all we can to reach out to as many people as we can through our music, and through meeting people encourage them to keep moving forward and keep reaching out to other people and become an influence.”
Andrew: “I’m not completely sure how to answer that. I mean you can measure success by how many records you sell, how many stations spin your track, how many fans you have…or…you can say that every single person you effect for the better is success and that work like this is never really done and is ongoing. The industry is rough in this day and age and really I hope to see that we can still continue to make music for people and spread that message. Finally, as far as acting differently for themselves…I am not looking to change anyone, but if someone is able to take solace in our music or what we to say or what any other artist has to say, then that is amazing. We all suffer from something, there is no “normal,” and it would be a great thing to see people as a whole being able to realize that and thus becoming nicer towards and empathetic with one another.”
Linda: “The more feedback we get from our fans the more of clearer picture we can get. The world is a beautiful and treacherous place. I’ll be happy if it changes one persons life. But the bigger picture is for people to know and hear our message and let us and the world know how we have helped them cope with their inner struggles. Too many people for too long haven’t spoken up about their battles and unfortunately give up. We want to relate with our fans and brighten their prospective on life. Never neglect, just reflect yourself. With the power of music it is all possible.”
Joe: “I want to see people in the audience start smiling, and have them come up to us afterwards and hear them say our music makes them feel better. I want to hear them trust us enough to say that our music has helped them through whatever has been bothering them. So far I’ve met a few people who have been huge fans for a long time, and it’s really hit me how much that message has already been sent. I’m hoping that I can make music that hits people the same way, and keep the trend of Aurin reaching more people who need to hear the music.”
“Through struggle we prevail. Through Struggle we unite. You are not alone…” – Aurin