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interview from "sheltered life"
zine august 1995

The following interview is with AUTUMN, an incredible band out of Minneapolis that is both emotionally chilling and remarkably beautiful! Utilizing many early eighties influences, combined with Julie's breathtaking voice and heart wrenching lyrics, AUTUMN gives listeners a lot to cherish while writing and performing music that means a lot to them. Everybody wins! AUTUMN released a self titled demo tape over a year ago and continued to work on their sound and patiently awaited finding a label. The following interview was conducted in August, 1995 and reveals the present and some of the exciting future of AUTUMN.

S.L: How was the trip to California?
Jeff: The trip was wonderful. We had an entire week to goof off away from home! We didn't actually do much "business" with Tess records until the last two days. We played a show in Santa Barbara with This Ascension, which turned out pretty well. We were all really nervous playing in front of all the Tess people.
Julie: All I can say now is that I'm really looking forward to going back out there to record in January.
Neil: It was great! They treated us like royalty. We even had a barbecue! We played a show with This Ascension and it went well. It was the first time we've had an encore. We signed with Tess the day we departed.

S.L: To start off, for the people who haven't heard of AUTUMN, how would you describe what AUTUMN is about?
Jeff: Musically, autumn is (to me anyway) a cross between early Cure, early Sisters of Mercy, Cocteau Twins, and New Order. We don't follow the typical "goth" clich‚s of dyed black hair and vampire teeth., but we are (like it or not) classified as a goth band by most. I personally don't mind being labeled as such, as people are comparing us to other "goth" bands that I happen to enjoy very much. I find it flattering.
Neil: It was started with the hope of doing something original. Although we fit into the "goth" genre, we don't imitate anyone. There are too many bands doing that already. I like to make people feel good with our music. Music is how I express who I really am.

S.L: The sound of the songs on your demo tape (especially seconds) make me curious about this; are you portraying sadness or the importance of not giving up?
Julie: Sadness? Not giving up? Probably both, but also rage, fear, awareness and even the opposites of what you mentioned. Some of our songs are celebrational and some deal with a level of despair so great that "giving up" would seem to be the only way to find peace.

S.L: On tape Autumn sounds like three musicians molded into one. How did such a tight unit come together?
Jeff: Neil and I have been working together for about 6 years. We've gone through a lot of singers. (like 7 or so) Julie joined up last February (1994) and she's got so much musical talent and training that she fit in perfectly within the first few practices. The demo tape that you have was recorded when the band was under three months old.
Julie: What I find to be truly inspiring is that we are three very different individuals and have each brought a different set of influences and perspectives into the group. What has truly connected us is that we have a very solid vision of what we want and a need to create and leave behind as testimony to our lives. It's not really even something we ever talk about, but really more of an unspoken understanding that we share.
Neil: Well, Jeff and I had been together musically for four years before Julie. We've been through about six singers in those four years, but when Julie came along, she really pushed the music into the dark landscape that I wanted to be in. None of our other singers could do that.

S.L: How well are the turnouts at your shows? Have you ventured outside Minneapolis?
Neil: Our turnouts get more decent. We're actually getting a small following. We've played in Chicago, LaCrosse Wisconsin, and now in Santa Barbara. (with This Ascension)

S.L: I know that you have played with Catastrophe Ballet (Germany) and This Ascension, and most recently with Trance to the Sun, and Lycia. How were these experiences? (Autumn are every bit as good as these bands! -ed)
Jeff: Playing with This Ascension is what started it all for Tess Records picking us up. It was one of the best times I've had; we hung out with them for three days and got to be quite good friends. I'm positive that if we hadn't been able to hang out with them and "schmooze", we wouldn't be signed to Tess right now. Playing with Lycia was also a dream come true. I've been a big Lycia fan for a couple years. They even wrote to us after their show that they had a great time and the look forward to our release on Tess.
Neil: Playing with This Ascension was great. I had just purchased their CD and was looking forward to talking to Kevin (guitarist) and Matt. (drummer) They turned out to be cool people. Matt turned out to also be the owner of Tess records and after we opened for them, he said he was very interested in us and after quite a few phone calls and odd conversations, and a trip to Santa Barbara, we're now a Tess band. Playing with Lycia and Trance to the Sun was great too. Mike from Lycia is very cool and down to Earth. We had a nice chat.

S.L: You attended CONVERGENCE. Is this the type of event that you would like to partake?
Jeff: Definitely! Convergence was one of the best things that happened this year, and now I see tons of other people doing like shows in other cities. I think we are planning on playing a convergence festival in New York at the end of the year.
Neil: Yes! We're planning on playing convergence II.

S.L: Please tell Sheltered Life readers what you want to sat that wasn't covered and good luck to all three of you! My last comment to you is this: I WANT MORE!
Neil: I hope people enjoy our music and we would like all feedback, positive and negative. Thanks.
Jeff: Thank you very much for all your support! There has been so much positive response from our demo tape that I can't wait for something new to get out myself. Please write (or email) to us and we will send you information and tour dates.
end!