“We wanted to capture those in-between moments in life, where what happens next is uncertain.”

Synth-pop duo AUGUST & CRNVL debuted their EP titled ‘Disco Nap‘ recently alongside their gorgeous official video, which we happen to be premiering, for the track “Champagne”. Soft aesthetics match the smooth sounds of August’s vocals in this tantalizing cinematic visual experience.

Interview by Ashley Zucker
Photography by Mike Greene

Ashley: How did you and CRNVL meet?

August: We met through a mutual friend when we were in LA. We didn’t meet through music really. He hadn’t taken producing seriously just yet. I was spending time in studios but I didn’t really know I was going to be a singer and I was just making music. Then we kinda experimented with pop beats and then about a year went by and nothing really serious happened except a few things in Garageband and then I had started singing so we made a few songs. They are SO different. When I listen to them now it’s like wow but we kept on going and made 3 singles and we put them out ourselves. I had been spending more time in the studio developing and I got into singing and was playing guitar and piano and just trying to figure it out. I dropped out of college and built this studio. I put all of my savings into it and still nothing was really happening and then one night we made this song and we were like OK and we ended up making a music video to it, it was a song called “Mystery” and then we were like let’s make this a project and then we made our first EP.

Ashley: What is your dynamic?

August: Jon is the producer he makes synths- he’s really good at that. He’s really into making productions and melodies, he’s got a really good ear for that and then I basically mix the whole thing. We create these sounds and melodies and then I step in and write the songs and they’d be this rough idea and we both kind of zone into the construction. This project was pretty balanced. It was a full on collaboration. We learned a lot in that project.

CRNVL: We like to be really organic, the other day we were talking about times where we would be in the studio for like 14 hours together and we would forget to eat meals and we would look at each other and be like oh my god we just spent an entire day in here.

Ashley: How does being a designer help your musical creativity? Do they ever relate to each other?

August: Absolutely, I think the biggest relation I can find to interior design is when i’m making music I try to be very visual about it- like setting an atmosphere. It’s all about getting the right vibe. Whether it’s words or furniture.

Ashley: How did you know you could sing well?

August: It was trying to tell a story with my voice and then putting in the melody, practicing and trying to find my sound and seeing where I was comfortable and get to a point where I mean what i’m saying. I was writing music and playing guitar. I still feel like i’m developing and learning, every song is different.

Ashley: How did the video for “Champagne” play out?

August: The video was a trip because we wanted the project to be played from the beginning to the end, we didn’t want to have these simple songs and then a really strong one so the story starts with “Champagne” and when I would hear the song I could imagine the video too. It makes it fun but it’s more than just like a champagne shower, ya know? John did all the lighting so we collaborated on the video too.

CRNVL: We wanted to capture those in-between moments in life, where what happens next is uncertain. Embracing those moments is what allows to see who we really are.”