Martin Dumais (AUN): “Dark and luminous dichotomy is always at the heart of the music I create"

The duo have recently completed two new albums, including a collaborative effort with noted French turntablist Philippe Petit (Lydia Lunch, Murcof) and a return to their home base at Cyclic Law records, intitled 'FIat Lux'.

AUN is:

Martin Dumais: guitars, bass, organ, synthesizers, percussion, visuals
Julie Leblanc: synthesizers, theremin, percussion, vocals, visuals

Interview:

You worked with a plethora of artists over the years. What collaborations were/are the most interesting and important to You and why?

Creative spontaneity and improvising pushes the music forward.  Working with close friends as well as acquaintances from different musical circles, keeps things interesting. An improvised show in France last year, with our friend Lauren Rodz comes to mind.
Can You tell me, in short the main ideas are behind Your music? Could You name Your favourite Your compositions / albums / collaborations? What about the new album?

AUN is a vehicle I can steer in any direction I feel, and I will continue doing so, by always pushing the sound further in unexpected territories. Current AUN favorite track is 'Radiation' from the last album. Julie played a very moving theremin solo on that one.
The most important AUN album to me would be Motorsleep, because it’s the one that defined the dark and luminous dichotomy that is always at the heart of the music I create. The music i'm listening to a lot recently and that might inform the new compostions are from my old record collection. Recently on the turntables:  Linton Kwesi Johnson, Blackbeard, Wire, Section 25, Moodyman and I've been mixing/dj'ing experimental techno like early Regis, Oake, Talker and getting deeper into the Zhark label's great uncompromising catalog.

The sound is magic. You‘ve proved it. But, what ends, when there‘s no sound?

Sound also comes from within, there is always sound.

What is and what is not a Sound Art?

What is and what is not a music/art? Depends on one’s perspective.

What do You think about relations between the old art and computer art? Are they compatible?

The computer is a very powerful and practical tool, buts it’s just a tool. Analog, digital, old and new technologies are all compatible, but making music without looking at a computer screen is more natural.

What do You think about thousands of neofolk/industrial/ambient/tribal/electroacoustic/avangarde etc. bands/projects? Is it a kind of trend, o just a tendency forwards better music?

I don't follow or know that much about most of these scenes. I grew up at the end of 70's and 80's listening to the originators of industrial like Throbbing Gristle, Zoviet France, Cabaret Voltaire, or ambient with Brian Eno. There is just more of everything nowadays, good and bad.

What do You know about Lithuania? What Lithuanian and foreign musicians do You value most?

I know Vilnius, we played a memorable show there a few years ago. There are no foreign musicians, we are all from the same planet.

What inspires You most?

Having time to create, silence and music.

What are You working on right now?

Solo music as U/N, preparing live work with Stärker and new heavier AUN for 2017.

What does Your band names mean to You? Is Aun a sort of Aum?

It’s our mantra.

Thank You. Merci beaucoup.

Links:

http://www.auncom.com/
http://aunted.bandcamp.com/
http://www.discogs.com/artist/797029-Aun-2
https://www.facebook.com/AUNandAUN
http://www.denovali.com/aun