Patrick Loisel, Canadian vocalist and guitarist for Technical Death Metal group from Augury.
Augury Interview
1. What’s new in the world of Augury?
Pat : We are arranging the new songs, we have quite a bunch that are on the verge of being completed. Quality over quantity, and we will take the time needed to achieve the quality we want.
2. I am sure you are very happy to be coming to Halifax, Nova Scotia for Spread The Metal Festival what can we expect from the band?
Pat: Plenty of metal!! If we feel ready, we might serve you something new, but I prefer to keep the surprise…
3. How is touring in Canada compared to anywhere else around the world?
Pat: It’s almost more more about driving than playing, most significant cities are 8,10,12 hours apart. But we see nice places and meet nice people so it’s worth the trip : ). Beside I never went outside North America so I can’t say for elsewhere. Man, I was 39 when I first toured in the States. I have a lot to catch up!
4. Are you keeping busy this summer with tour dates?
Pat: Nope, I enjoy my summer vacations and I am in the process of buying a house. Probably more next summer with new material to offer. We have three dates in the late summer this year. After that all our energies will be devoted to the new album.
5. Would you say touring now is more relaxed and easier to do?
Pat : I have been told that it got better, I cannot say, we toured in 2009-10 for ”Fragmentary” and we will tour a bit when the new one will be out. In between, I revert to my teaching career.
6. What equipment are you currently endorsing, etc.
Sennheiser, Engl, Marc Chicoine Guitars, Nomade Cabinets, Luka Percussion
Pat : My situation is funny, I am kind of endorsed by myself since I own a guitar shop (Merfolk Industries) and also make my own pics!
7. What would be some of the craziest stuff you’ve seen on tour?
Pat: Not so much since I don’t party much, most off the crunchy stuff occurred while I slept or went for a walk…what I prefer to recall are times when we could stop for a few days in the wild. Once Mat and Etienne camped in some field and found a small crop circle near their tents. That is interesting. I also have vivid memories about the kindness we had from so many great folks, some even cooking BBQ for us upon our arrival after a grueling trip.
8. What were your earliest influences in life?
Pat: Classical, Quebec Folk then Ozzy, Mercyful Fate and Slayer. And of course Rush!
9. What would be some of your main influences today?
Pat: Late 90’s black metal, pagan black. Melodic blastbeat stuff overall.
10. What could we find interesting in your music collection at home?
Pat : I have few CD’s, I am not much of a music listener outside of Augury. Some of my favorite bands are friends but still here what I got : Rudra (last three albums) Superior Enlightenment ”The Great Obscurantism”, Divinity ”The Singularity” and both albums by Quebec black metal act Spirit of the Forest, which I joined on drums in 2011. I also have most albums by Unexpect and some God Dethroned and Symbyosis. That’s pretty much about it. I sometimes listen to stuff on YouTube, like Panopticon, Chtohnic and other great stuff.
11. Could you describe what goes on in a day in your life as a musician on tour?
Pat: Since 2010 I focused on teaching and I run my guitar business at home. When on tour, I split my time between driving, trying to sleep and doing band stuff.. I should bring tools to work next time, I am quite an overactive individual and have very little tolerance to inactivity, so I always insist to be the driver.
12. Where do you see music going in 100 years from now?
Pat: The only way I could answer properly is to compare how people 100 years ago were seeing music now with how it is today. Before we discuss how the music industry will fare, we have to ensure that a technological civilization will still exist to support it. Culture change so fast, like if I would send you ten years in the past and you talk about putting stuff on your wall…. people will scratch their head like if you were talking about radio in the 1800’s. I think that music will always exist, it’s a permanent feature of the human mind. But the way it is shared will sure change.
Extra Questions with Patrick Loisel from Augury
Life without music would be: silent
Favorite movie: Aliens
Favorite sport: Fly Fishing
Favorite food: Indian
Favorite drink: Bailey’s
Favorite saying: Incredible!!!
Favorite car: Astro Van
Favorite book: David Icke overall
Favorite band: Emperor
CD or Vinyl: CD
Star Wars or Star Trek: Star Wars
PC or Mac: My Brain
You can find more about Augury here: http://www.augurymetal.com/