AUGER

Auger have never been the loudest band in the room — but somehow, they’re always there. Growing steadily from early darkwave roots into something broader, sharper and harder to pin down, they’ve built their place in the alternative scene without chasing it. Four albums in, a new one around the corner, and a tour on the horizon, the band feels more defined than ever — and at the same time, still evolving. Britta Pirkko caught up with Kyle Blaqk to talk about that journey, the voice behind the sound, and what’s coming next.

Auger has grown from a new project into a familiar name on alternative and dark-scene line-ups across Europe. When you look back at the journey from The Awakening to From Now On, Insurgence and Nighthawks, how does that evolution feel from your perspective today?

It feels exactly that, an evolution. I grew up with my albums. The Awakening, the first of which, was written when I was 20. So each of the albums feels like a little snapshot into my adult life, which is rather fascinating… personally of course, I’m pretty certain no one else thinks so. Another correlation is the improvement over the years, whilst the songs are subjective and I’m sure some people will regard some earlier songs as their favourites, it’s clear that with each installment my skills as a writer, producer and singer have improved. This is reassuring to know I’m getting better rather than worse, but also something I can be really proud of.

If someone discovers AUGER now and then travels back through your earlier albums, what do you think would surprise them most about those first chapters of the band?

Firstly, I would likely explode at the thought, since it feels like a lifetime ago I made those songs and I’d be worried they’d judge my early-try-hard-goth approach; particularly in the first album. Though I will admit, I’m incredibly fond of a number of earlier tracks. I think people at first would be surprised that the songs sound different, but then after a short while, realise that was the point in the first place. Across an album each of the songs are super varied, something that I’m proud of and keen to maintain. You could argue we’re “less goth” than we used to be, but realistically, the first album is the only gothic one… and there’s been 4 giant leaps away from that ever since.

Your voice has become a very recognisable part of the AUGER sound over the years. How has your approach to vocals developed as the band has evolved?

Interestingly, it was the plan from the beginning to use my voice as a unique hook when starting Auger. However, it was skill (or there lack of) that stopped me from doing more with it and something that I’ve been growing so that I can make more use of it in the future. My natural singing range is between B2 and F4, with the current lowest being G1… and not to bore you too much with the technical side of things, that range is notoriously hard to mix into a song. The low grumbles get lost in any bass, low guitars, keys… and what’s left is either a very flat song with the vocals sat on top or an organised mess of noise with a bridge troll mumbling underneath. The Awakening was the first album I ever wrote and produced. So I’ve not had long to develop the skills I need to get my voice to sound good in its most comfortable range - and therefore, I’ve been writing to sing in a higher register… until now (insert evil laugh). I believe I've finally cracked it. And in this new album, you’ll hear a lot more of it.

A new album is on the horizon. 'The Old Arcade' is set for release on May 1, 2026. Can you take us behind the scenes — when did the writing begin, and what has the process been like so far?

The writing began shortly after Nighthawks was released, and in some cases, slightly before… but it didn’t stop until two months before the album's release date. As always, the writing process is one that I truly enjoy. To be so creative and have so much freedom, freedom to go with your instincts, freedom to try new things and freedom to write absolute crap - and that be okay. It’s why I was writing until the last minute, and how I ended up with over 30 songs before narrowing it down to 14.

Which artists or influences — past or present — still inspire you and shape the AUGER sound today?

So it’s much more about music that inspires me to write than bands or songs influencing the sound. I’m very much an album person, so I’ll list 10 of the albums I’m listening to the most…

1. Supertramp - Breakfast In America

2. Marillion - Clutching At Straws

3. A-ha - Scoundrel Days

4. Horrors - V

5. White Lies - Big TV

6. Tears For Fears - Songs From The Big Chair

7. Dandy Warhols - 13 Tales From Urban Bohemia

8. Type O Negative - October Rust

9. VAST - Visual Audio Sensory Theatre

10. Kill Hannah - Hope For The Hopeless

You’re heading out on tour this year. What kind of AUGER do you want audiences to experience on stage this time around?

A melodic, positive, energetic Auger. I want people to sing along, dance, or just listen and feel it. The shows are always good fun, but this time I want to make it special. As always, particularly on the headline tour, I’ll be with the crowd the whole time, at the merch, chatting in the middle, running around trying to find something I’ve lost, and getting to know everyone. There are no walls with Auger, I think people know that now.

Before we hand the mic back to you, is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Early tickets save lives… well, sanity at least. Apart from that, I genuinely can’t wait to see everyone on tour this year, firstly at WGT and at all the shows following. If you do spot me (which is fairly easy at 191cm with a head as large as mine) please say hello! And, May 1st, new album - don’t forget it.

https://auger.band/

Britta Pirkko
27/04/2026