Austin four-piece Auroravore looks like they’d be equally at home on the set of a David Lynch film as they are onstage at the Spiderhouse Ballroom. At a recent show, against a backdrop of shadowy red velvet, the band debuted their latest addition: a curated video show that’s synced to their keyboards, pulsing sunny photos and abstract designs in tune with their progressive, ambient harmonies.
Made up of brothers Michael, Peter and Marcus Brown, with friend Erik Garven on drums, Auroravore has a unique claim to fame. “It is a gimmick, and we exploit it,” admits middle brother Michael. “I think in this day and age, any extra help you can get. But the music speaks for itself, hopefully.”
The brothers Brown come from a musical family; both parents have spent decades performing and their sister, Lainey, pitches in with guest vocals on several recordings. Back in high school, Michael, Peter and Erik played together, putting things on hold when Garven headed off to Baylor while the brothers went to UT. Here in Austin, Michael and Peter worked on evolving their sound, playing together in two very different bands; one, an “experimental cock rock band called Girl Fart, was like, rock music with a tuba, really trippy.” The other, a bluegrass group called Troublesome Trio, began with just a banjo, guitar and fiddle.
“My parents were smart, in that, when I got tired with piano lessons – after about 8 or 10 years – they let me try other instruments,” says Michael. “So I stopped formal lessons with piano, and started formal lessons with viola and bass, and eventually guitar.”
The brothers’ flexibility (and solid background in music theory) helps define Auroravore’s sound; band members tend to rotate instruments, sometimes singing, sometimes taking turns on guitar. Michael, who usually focuses on keyboards, showcases his classic piano training while keeping time and occasionally indulging in rich, reverb-soaked solos.
The band seems nearly as interested in creating a captivating live show as they are with finding innovative ways to record their carefully crafted indie pop. Thanks to video artist Jeff Kurihara, who the band has collaborated with in the past, their Spiderhouse Ballroom show featured a unique, custom setup. “We hooked this midi software program up to my keyboard,” explains Michael, “and, as I play, based on velocity, pitch, modulation and other knobs, they control what’s projected on the band.”
With Auroravore, the group is able to focus on growing their unique sound as well as finding creative ways to incorporate a wider variety of super-sensory elements to their performances.
Check out photos from Auroravore’s Spiderhouse Ballroom performance, above, and don’t miss them at Hole in the Wall on July 15th. Got questions for the band? Ask Auroravore here.
Photos by Jon Shapley