EMQ’s With AVGMNT
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with USA Cyberpunk band, AVGMNT. Huge thanks to them for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Hello, world! We are AVGMNT (pronounced augment). OmegaZ is the lead singer. AlphaN plays guitar and synths. AVGMNT started after we collaborated on a cover of God’s Gonna Cut You Down for a different project. We really enjoyed working together and decided to start a whole new project.
How did you come up with your band name?
We workshopped names that fit the theme of the band… something futuristic. The name “Augment” came up, but we needed something more unique. We decided to replace the U with a V and drop the E. The name is more compact and balanced, which lead to a great logo design and solidifying the concept.
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
Portland, Oregon, USA. The metal and rock scene here is really diverse and powerful. There’s a huge range of metal bands covering all the subgenres. Incredibly talented musicians that, for the most part, lift each other up.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
Our recent releases are 3 singles: NVLL, HVMAN SKIN, and SOMATOSE. We have our debut album SEQVENCES coming out April 21st, as well as a music video for our song PVRE BLACK with a release date TBD.
Who have been your greatest influences?
OmegaZ: I’ve always been hyper focused on lyrics most of my life, so my biggest influences have always been excellent storytellers not just talented singers. Artists like Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Trent Reznor, Skinny Puppy, Jim Thirlwell, Raymond Watts. Lately Amigo the Devil has come in really strong – I feel he is one the greatest modern day storyteller musicians.
AlphaN: As a kid, I learned to play piano. I got really into classical music, so Beethoven and Rachmaninoff. There is just so much emotion in their songs. Once I picked up a guitar, I started learning to play Tool, Radiohead, and Metallica. As I got older, I got more into dance music like Armin Van Buuren and Above & Beyond. I then started getting into artists like Burial, Bonobo, and other more fusion based musicians.
What first got you into music?
OmegaZ: My older sister was a big metalhead in the 80’s. That was my first introduction to music.
AlphaZ: My mom tells this story of me being 5 years old and playing with a little Casio keyboard. I would learn the little pre-programmed songs by ear, and she decided to put me in piano lessons.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
There’s a ton of bands we’d love to collaborate with, but we really want to focus on collaborating with more hip-hop and trap artists like: Istasha, CORPSE, TWENTYTHREE.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Wave-Gotik-Treffen – It’s just right up our alley as far as theme goes. And it’s the biggest one, so why not?
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Well, we’ve only played one show so far! Please send weird gifts.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Don’t let ignorance and fear prevent you from being the absolute best YOU you can be. We’re all broken little robots just trying to figure out our own circuitry.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
David Bowie.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
The ability to create and connect to people through your art. Give something back into the ether of music. Music saved my life. The eternal struggle of insecurity, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Pay musicians what they deserve and stop all the predatory practices. It’s mind-blowing that even after the pandemic showed us how important music is and how much artists were hurting, that promoters and bookers and labels still want to take bands for all they’re worth.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
OmegaZ: The Downward Spiral by NIN.
AlphaN: In Rainbows by Radiohead.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Vinyl for the art and for listening experience. Downloads for the convenience.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Our debut show was incredible. It’s the only show we’ve played so far but it was an amazing start to this all!
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
OmegaZ: Painting and designing clothes.
AlphaN: I would probably be brewing beer. Great hobby.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Snoop Dogg, Bjork, David Lynch, Terry Crews, Dolly Parton.
What’s next for the band?
We are going to keep expanding on our live show. We have a couple of ideas for new music including covers. More music videos to support the album.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
We are most active on Instagram and Facebook. We will be expanding our TikTok as well. Find our music on Bandcamp! You can follow us @AVGMNT.
Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?
Never had them before! Send some, along with weird gifts. We’ll let you know our thoughts.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you for your interest in AVGMNT. It’s a grind being a new project and we really appreciate all the support that we have gotten thus far!