By Robb Ess
*This interview is older and was in our Issue 64 magazine.
AVAION, one of the industry’s best kept secret emerging artists who is now blowing up the airwaves with his newest and soul-dizzying track “Love Again,” started composing songs at the ripe age of nine in his home country of Germany.
Transcending the dance music industry, his melancholic inflections punctuate his vocal tracks and reverberate against the deep, unique basslines and beats that he is revered for with fans and his ever-expanding audience.
A multi-instrumentalist, AVAION doesn’t compromise on the quality of work and is constantly seeking ways to better himself and hone his craft. With an unmatched work ethic and go-getter mentality, AVAION ditched his smoking habits and overcame a crippling anxiety disorder. Having tried out future house, pop, dubstep, and others, his experimentation of these stylistic genres has made him who he is today.
Hyper-aware of mental fitness and the emotional intelligence of people, AVAION is able to connect with listeners on a personal and uplifting level through catchy, dance tracks. Truly original, he is unapologetically himself and his music doesn’t hold back his vulnerabilities and desires.
I recently discussed his pivotal and defining career moments, newest release, favorite snacks, rituals in the studio, dream collaborations, and much more during this riveting interview. This is AVAION.
I had a wonderful childhood in Germany. I grew up in the middle of the city in a promenade. My grandmother lived right next door to us. My best friends lived on the same street. During summer days, I went out and rang my friends’ doorbells, picked them up, and then we went to the park all day, which was right next to our street. It was like a wonderland. Everyone knew everyone and everyone was friends with each other. It was a beautiful way to grow up and I am very grateful for it.
Since I was little I knew that music was my passion and I wanted to make it my career. I fell in love with composing songs and already at the age of nine, I gave piano concerts with my own written pieces in our local church.
“Fucked up” was the first song where I used my own vocals. It was kind of an experiment without any expectations. It really worked and people liked it so this was like the beginning of the whole concept with me writing the song, producing, and putting my own vocals on it. My song “You” was the one that changed my style to what I am today. This style is 100% me and I really like what I’m doing now.
For high vocal parts, I always put tea with honey in the studio and take a sip before each recording. This helps a lot to keep the voice smooth. Other than that, I don’t really have a specific method to train my voice. What has helped the most is that I quit smoking a year ago. My voice thanks me for that.
I always prepare myself a large chamomile tea with a little lemon or honey. In addition, I always have a can of snus standing around in the studio. If these two things are there, nothing can go wrong.
My studio is very minimalistic. I do most of it via software and plugins, but I almost always use my midi keyboard (AKAI MPK 249) for chords, or my guitar via the interface for recording. I am a huge fan of Splice and use it almost all the time. It really fastened up my workflow with percussion patterns, kicks, and melody ideas.
“Love Again” is about the fact that failed love with one person does not mean that it would be the same with another — that you can fall in love again and everything can be different. It is a story from my own life in which I want to come to terms with the fact that bad experiences with one person do not mean that it will be the same with another person. I had to learn that.
The different elements in the video were intentional. For example, the scene where I was standing in the burning room, but not burning. With this, I wanted to clarify that you have to learn to finish with the toxicity of the person from the past and realize it can no longer harm you. At the same time, the burning of a person can be something positive for you. You just have to be able to conclude and allow something new.
The point “moving on” is the most important one here. As I mentioned above, these are stories from my life that I process in the songs. The most important thing that I have already learned from them is moving on.
I try to take every additional support opportunity and I am very happy that channels like MrSuicideSheep and Selected support my songs on their channels. This brings more reach and that makes me very happy.
The various genre elements emerged over time. I had a lot of acoustic influence as a child through the instruments I learned. In my producer time, I had tried out styles from future house to pop and dubstep. All of these stages of my artistic existence have made me what I am today. I have taken different parts from all genres and created something new. I want to impose my own style as a new one and so far it works very well.
Privately, I listen to a lot of different genres. That inspires me. I listen to a lot of American or German rap, jazz, and pop, but also riddim dubstep. The shows of Colors Berlin inspire me the most. I love their Youtube channel and the diverse artists that perform there.
I have set for myself high goals I want to achieve. This is my motivation and I will be satisfied only when they are achieved. Fan feedback is also a very big motivation. I reply to all messages and I am always very happy when people write to me about how much my music means to them; that my music has helped them in a difficult time. That is one of the best motivations.
A lot has happened this year, but it went super well. Some things I dreamed of, I have achieved this year which makes me very happy. Of course, I have also invested much more time in music, which made the private life a little more difficult especially with the whole Covid-19 situation. We will get through this. As soon as the virus is over, I will play as many shows as possible.
I struggled with an anxiety disorder that lasted for several years. That was a very hard time. I got through this by being as productive as possible, which calmed me down inside and taught me to not waste time, but to use it wisely.
I also started doing a little more exercise which helped me mentally a lot. If anyone is reading this who is going through the same thing: it gets better. Sleep enough, get up early, do sports, do what you love, believe in your dreams, and do something about it.
Do not try to copy anyone. Find your own style and your own vibe. It can be very stressful to focus too much on the “trend sound”. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to keep your sound idols and try to get to that sound level and get inspired but, don’t try to be a second version. Instead, take those skills and put them into your own style. Do what you love and stand by it.
Yes, I am absolutely interested in working with other artists. One of my dream collabos: Joji, Kaytranada, Goldlink, Diplo, MuraMasa, Meduza…. the list is long. Haha!
I focus on establishing my own style and shaping the music industry with it. I want to leave a footprint that will not be forgotten and change people’s lives for the better by letting them know they are not alone.
I want the breakthrough. I want the world to know my name.
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