Ethereal melodies. Slow-shifting synthscapes. Analog bass meandering through fluctuating atmospheres. Attempting to describe the diverse output of Auk, a band of bird-named Berlin transplants, is no easy feat.

Auk finds its origins in Vancouver, where Landon Sarver and Nathaniel Suter met in a digital music class at the city’s Art Institute. Between guitar jams and techno nights at the now defunct Lotus Sound Lounge, the duo quickly bonded over their shared rural roots and rapidly evolving appreciation for electronic music.

“We started hanging out because we’re both from the middle of nowhere in British Columbia,” says Landon. “We had one bar full of cowboys. There were rodeos.”

After entering dance music production through the prism of preliminary projects, the duo relocated to Berlin in 2013. The move would prove formative both in terms of focus and influence. In the old Eastern bloc borough of Kreuzberg, the musical outfit that would become Auk began to take form.

Auk is in some ways a union of opposing strengths. Landon’s orderly melodic approach mirrors his classical pianist upbringing, while Nathaniel’s natural ear for atmospherics and sampled sound design reflects more chaotic musical convictions. From this delicate balance, their sound was born. Fusing minimal and melodic elements of techno and house in eclectic arrangements, Auk’s music excels in defying both classification and studio convention.

“We both approach our music from different angles and find a meeting place in the middle,” says Nathaniel. “We are not always going to sound the same.”

After being introduced through fellow ex-pat Canadian Hrdvsion, Noah Pred soon signed the duo to his respected Thoughtless Music imprint. Their debut EP found it's way into famous clubs such as Berlin's Watergate and Ibiza's Space which was lovingly played by Richie Hawtin himself. 

With their successful debut EP, Absolution, out on Thoughtless and a number of remix releases in the works, Auk’s time is now nearly at hand.


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