6 minute read
Audio Reign Bernard Fowler: Over 25 Years with
Audio Reign from Australia
presenting Hard Rock for the World
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Interview by Ken Morton
The mighty Audio Reign released their Self-Titled debut via MR Records last year, a solid album of hard rock tunes that woud begin to bring them a fan base within their home country of Australia and beyond. Not even a pandemic could bring this collective down - they even wrote a powerhouse song about it - which is their raging brand new single entitled Relentless. In this interview with Highwire Daze, front man Jake Fleming discusses their brand new Relentless anthem, opening for the one and only Kip Winger, his day job as a fireman for Adelaide and more...
How long has Audio Reign been together and where is the band based out of?
I’m from Adelaide South Australia and so is the whole band. Audio Reign was formed in 2011. The heavy scene over here in Australia has changed over the years. The sort of music that we play – there are obviously a lot of fans around in Australia that are major rock fans – the heavy scene around here seems to be a bit more nu-metal or hardcore with the growling vocals. And the music that we play, even though we have a lot of fans over here, there’s definitely people here that seem to love the music. Of course, the pandemic has had a bit of a crushing impact, but I think the heavy scene is getting bigger and growing over here.
How did you wind up signing with MR Records?
We were looking to expand and get some more reach and some more push. Someone asked me the other day about the impact of all the technology we have these days on music and bands. And I said it’s a bit of a two-way sword because yes, all that technology allows you to reach out and do so much more with your music and reach so many more people that you used to be able to do. But on the other hand, there’s so many bands doing it. Yes, you can stretch your wings and reach new fans across the globe, but you’re competing with everyone else as well. And that’s not competing in a band way – we would all be mates if we met and we’re all doing the same thing. You just want to be able to get your head up there and have people hear your music. And for us, as much as we love doing it, the main thing is playing live. We want to get our music across – not so we want to be rock stars but so we could be reach and get over and have our music heard and play festivals and rock out with them all. And that’s what it’s like for us.
Is there any overall story or concept behind your new single Relentless?
Relentless is a song about making a goal – having plans – moving on no matter what obstacles throw you – and just never giving up. Being determined and being relentless. That is essentially what the song is about. For us as a band though, it was just about our journey and the result of the pandemic on the music industry and the affect it had on us as well. As you’ll see when we release the music video, there’s elements in there where you’ll get the idea about that. We just want to make sure that during all that time, that we didn’t fold – and we weren’t going to – no matter what happened, we were determined to come out of this whole thing on top. And if on top just meant survival, then that’s what it was. But we were definitely determined to come back and be relentless. But the song is definitely written so you can listen to the song and apply it to your own life in whatever struggles, dreams and goals you want to follow. – and be strong.
How close are you guys to releasing a new EP or a new album?
Well, there’s more singles coming out. We’ve been back in the studio again. We just dropped Relentless a few days again. There will definitely be an album in the New Year but there will be an EP before that in the next few months. We’re just talking amongst ourselves with MR Records and just planning what we’re gonna do. But keep following Audio Reign so you could keep up to date with all the latest and hear all the latest.
What was it like opening for Kip Winger and did you get to meet or hang out with him at all?
Kip was great! What a talent! Amazing, and such a long history with Winger as well as the solo stuff. Kip’s a great guy – we met at the soundcheck, and he was great to talk to. We got some photos, and he was just pleasant with everyone. It was a great show, and we were stoked to be invited and to play that. And it was great for us too, because it gave us a chance to do a bit of an unplugged session, which we very rarely do. It was a really nice experience, and we were honored to be asked.
If Audio Reign could open for any band either now or from the past, who would it be and why?
If you ask each one of us, we’d all have different answers. We are all so diverse in the band. It’s a given that I would have loved to play Woodstock or Live Aid, but that’s being in a festival. But open for someone? Hey, who wouldn’t want to open for KISS? But then again, I’d love to open for Alter Bridge or Stone Sour. But let’s just say KISS right now – the hottest and biggest band in the world!
ordinate being in two jobs which could have really strange hours?
Actually, it’s very good there. We do 4 on 4 shifts – we have two days and two nights, and we have four off. When I have gigs on, we swap shifts around. If I need to go away, I could get someone to cover my four shifts – I mean I’ve got to pay them back obviously on my other days off. It’s very easy to work with. The guys on my shift at the station – they all know the band – they’re all cool – they’re funny – they call me a bloody Rock Star. They play the clips when we’re at the gym. It’s cool. They’re like another group of brothers besides my band of brothers from Audio Reign – just another family I have and they’re brilliant. It’s one of the busiest stations here and everyone works hard and it’s a cool vibe there. Everyone is really cool.
Do you have any messages for people who are reading this now and just discovering Audio Reign here in the States?
We just want to say thank you for listening. There’s so much music over there in the States and there’s actually so many bands doing this stuff. The fact that we’ve had such great compliments and people following us from all over the States – we’re humbled by it. We’re stoked that they’ve found our music! And keep following us and helping us do what we do, so we could bring it back to you guys. Because without all of you, we are nothing. So, thanks so much to everyone in the States.
