Au Gres

Au Gres returns with new bedroom-made single titled “At Home In The Dark,” a moodily upbeat anthem where he addresses the struggles of mental health that many of us are experiencing at the moment. With the sparkling synths and mild dose of 80s charm, Au Gres shares his own take on groovy self-help music. While the riffs channel a dark air, the buoyant synths and bold lyrics leave us with a message of hope:

Speaking of the track, Au Gres explained: “Everyone is dealing with something. So many wonderful people in my life are constantly fighting with anxiety and depression. I’ve had my fair share of fights with that as well. It’s difficult to know how to best ‘be there’ for someone when they’re having a mental health episode. ‘At Home In The Dark’ is all about sitting with someone while they’re figuring that out. You don’t always need ‘solutions’, sometimes you just need someone to help you feel a little less alone in it.” - Aupium

I’m always on the lookout for music that comes from my home state, so imagine my excitement when I found that Joshua Kemp, the creator of the up-and-coming indie pop project Au Gres, is a Michigan native himself. Au Gres — which began as a DIY project in a bedroom — now works with Social Recording Company, a private recording studio just south of Detroit, along with other Michigan native artists like Michigander and Leland Blue. “Nervous“, the first single released in October, seems to be a very promising start for this project.

After checking out this debut single, I was immediately hooked on the relaxing and easygoing beat that seems to completely contradict the track’s title. In fact, the entire concept of the song juxtaposes the title in a beautiful way. While the verses are full of haunting lyrics about anxiety that many can surely relate to, the chorus takes the song in a different direction. The song essentially explains the feeling of finding that one person that can take all of your anxieties away and makes you feel like you can truly be yourself when you’re with them. “Nothing about you makes me nervous” is such a simple, but pure lyric that speaks volumes about the relationship it describes.

Dreamy synth sounds paired with low-key guitar strumming portray the emotions described in the lyrics perfectly. The guitar riff that repeats throughout the song manages to be catchy, while still fitting in with the laidback vibe of the song. The track even contains a brief guitar solo that brings a new life to the final few choruses. The pop and rock elements of this track keep it upbeat enough to dance or nod your head to, while the lo-fi influence keeps it chilled out and calming.

After hearing this debut, I will definitely be keeping an eye on Au Gres for future releases and you definitely should too (especially if you happen to be a fan of artists like The Japanese House, COIN, and Best Coast). - Soft Sound Press

For Au Gres, not every problem requires an immediate solution.

Instead, the Fenton indie pop singer-songwriter finds instant relief in uncertainty on his latest introspective, self-comfort single, “At Home in the Dark,” which dropped Feb. 26 via all streaming platforms.

“I hope this song might encourage others to be more present with each other during hard times, though not necessarily in the physical sense, pandemic and all. I wrote it specifically about someone dealing with depression, but I think it applies to much more than that,” said Josh Kemp, aka Au Gres.

“These moments don’t always call for ‘solutions.’ Sometimes the best thing to do for someone is just let them know you’re available to talk and reassure them that they aren’t ‘broken.’”

Au Gres beautifully provides a sense of solace as ascending, sheeny synths, thoughtful electric guitar, delicate drums and soft bass surround listeners while they’re feeling “At Home in the Dark.” Kemp reveals, “I wanna be there when it rains/I wanna know you on your bad days, baby/I wanna be there when you start/To think the wrong things in the right time frame.”

“So much of this track is inspired by my experience with depression (i.e., the dark). I’ve had moments in my life where I really needed someone to help me feel less alone. I’ve also been the one to do that for others,” said Kemp, who’s inspired by Passion Pit, Phoenix and The Smashing Pumpkins.

“The thing about depression is that it’s usually episodic, and when you’re in it, you usually don’t want or need to hear solutions. Sometimes the best thing to do for someone is just sit with them while they’re in it. Bringing over a cheap bottle of wine often helps, too.”

To create his soothing “At Home in the Dark” neutral zone, Kemp collaborated with a talented cast of Michigan and Ohio musicians, including Noah de Leon (guitar, synth), Brodie Glaza (drums), producer Jake Rye (bass) and Darity’s Linsley Hartenstein (piano), at Social Recording Company in Adrian.

The quintet safely gathered inside the studio to record parts of the track, but also relied on additional remote collaboration sessions to finalize it.

“I think the initial write was about 20 minutes. I spent much more time refining things, but had the bones of the thing together fairly quickly. I was happy to work on this one with all of the same guys again and with the welcomed addition of my girlfriend Linsley on piano,” Kemp said.

“A lot of the arrangement was put together remotely at Noah’s home studio. I think his contributions were the most significant – the vocal stacks in the chorus and the guitar solo in the outro.”

In October, Kemp dropped his warm, dreamy debut single, “Nervous,” which serves as the ideal romantic icebreaker that puts apprehensive partners at ease. Kemp also teamed up with de Leon, Rye and Glaza for that melodic, soaring anthem at Social Recording Company.

Before becoming Au Gres, Kemp discovered a love of playing music after watching “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” with several friends. At age 17, he bought an acoustic guitar and later inherited his older brother’s Squier Strat to study up on power chords.

With a guitar in hand, Kemp played in the punk band Copneconic until 2014 and decided to pursue music with more of an indie rock feel. That passion led to an indie rock band with other friends for two years, but Kemp opted to pursue a solo project as Au Gres instead.

As Au Gres, Kemp casts his creative vision while partnering with a core group of musicians and including others as part of an evolving artistic collective. After releasing two mesmerizing singles, Kemp plans to share additional indie pop gems later this year.

“I think the songs I have written since have been some of my very best, and I can’t wait to see how they come together by then. I’m currently finishing up a batch of brand new songs and will soon be ready to book more studio time. It’s also very likely we’ll be doing some livestream shows soon,” he said. - Stratton Setlist

A semana começa ao som de "At Home In The Dark", o novo single de Au Gres, o projecto de Joshua Kemp, uma canção sobre estar ao lado de alguém que enfrenta uma depressão ou outros episódios de saúde mental.

O tema é difícil, mas o single deixa-nos com um sentimento de esperança e de empatia. Equilibrando a energia do indie rock e o charme da bedroom pop, é uma canção vibrante e inspiradora. E deveras catchy, com a sua melodia em cadência perfeita, com riffs e harmonias que se colam em nós, uma performance vocal emotiva e sincera e um refrão cheio de intenção e empatia - «we'll do what it takes to feel at home in the dark».

Identifiquei-me com "At Home In The Dark" ainda antes de saber o seu significado. E, depois, tudo fez ainda mais sentido. Nestes tempos estranhos em que vivemos, a nossa saúde mental pode quebrar a qualquer momento, e não há nada mais importante do que sabermos que estará sempre alguém do nosso lado.

"At Home In The Dark" é uma forma leve e cool de nos lembrarmos disso. E, por isso, parece-me a canção perfeita para ouvir nesta manhã de segunda-feira, para nos dar a força e a energia certas para enfrentarmos mais uma semana de confinamento. - Phonograph Me

Hopeful, yet grounded, the supportive lyrics and thoughtful guitar lines offer space to process mental issues.

The dark can feel oppressive, but sometimes it’s a comfort. In Au Gres’ latest single, “At Home In The Dark”, the Michigan-based artist crafts a supportive song for his girlfriend who suffers from depression.

As the song opens, the guitar quickly builds to a jarring chord with diminished qualities. The shrunken, off-kilter sound resonates, but bright, open synths quickly lift the melancholy to cement the song’s thematic home. Hopeful, yet grounded, it offers a simple and powerful statement: “we’ll do what it takes to feel at home in the dark.”

The lyrics offer a place to process mental issues, safely and with a friend. Quiet moments pair for contemplation paired with energetic musical lines for action builds a support system.

Moving from aspirational progressions to an emphatic pre-chorus placing each word on an accented beat, the song acknowledges a need to cling to something. Dark moments can’t be conquered alone. But even in the most structured sections, Au Gres offers autonomy. The use of “we” instead of “I” reveals a partnership. Take Au Gres’ proffered hand, and sit a moment to “feel at home in the dark.” - Unxigned

Au Gres is the moniker of Michigan-based singer-songwriter Joshua Kemp, who’s just released his charming debut single “Nervous“. With a wry sense of self-deprecating humor, he states that “Au Gres was conceived, like many of us, in a bedroom, on a flimsy desk, with unimpressive equipment.” That may well be, but I say the results are quite impressive. Melding elements of indie rock, lo-fi and synth pop, with “Nervous”, he’s created a delightfully dreamy soundscape for his warm, pleasing vocals. His beautifully strummed acoustic and electric guitar notes are nicely complemented by sparkling synths and gentle percussion, resulting in a really lovely song that I’m happy to name my New Song of the Week.

About the song, Au Gres explained on his Instagram page: “‘Nervous’ is about allowing yourself to be vulnerable. It’s awfully fitting, as releasing music often feels vulnerable to me, but some of the best things happen when we let ourselves be vulnerable.” “Nervous” celebrates the relationships that go deeper, for without opening ourselves up and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable to another person, a relationship can never fully blossom. This is expressed by the honest and simple lyric “Cause you oughta know, nothing about you makes me nervous. I feel right at home.“

I asked Joshua how he came to name his music project ‘Au Gres’. He responded that Au Gres is a town in northern Michigan. “Northern Michigan in general is a special spot for me. My family and I would vacation up north a lot when I was younger. Au Gres has Michigan roots, but it’s also French for “of sandstone” or the clay-like substance found in rivers. I felt like this name gave me permission to mold my sound into whatever I wanted, much like how clay can be molded into different shapes.”

“Nervous” is the first of many songs Au Gres plans to release over the next year or so, and I’m eager to hear them! - Eclectic Music Lover

Michigan-based indie singer-songwriter Josh Kemp launches his new music project Au Gres with the release of his warm and carefree debut single, "Nervous." Formerly one-third of the impressive, yet short-lived alt/indie rock trio Steppes, Josh conceptualized the Au Gres moniker under modest, unpretentious circumstances, or as he relates, "in a bedroom, on a flimsy desk, with unimpressive equipment." Now reimagined out of Adrian, Michigan at the Social Recording Company (Michigander, Leland Blue, Stay Outside), Au Gres (pronounced: 'aʷ grā') exists to bring ever-changing perspective to the indie pop genre.

Combining elements of indie rock, lo-fi, and synth pop, "Nervous" leads off with crisp, spacious acoustic guitar and a gentle, yet confident tempo that establishes the relaxed, upbeat vibe of the track. Enter the clever, bending guitar hooks, Josh's smooth, melodic vocals and a catchy chorus that warmly rings, "'Cause you ought to know, nothing about you makes me nervous. I feel right at home." This simple, but profound statement reflects on the comfort that is possible in being vulnerable with someone, celebrating the relationships that "go deeper." Au Gres clearly hits the ground running right out of the gate with this stunning debut single. - Soundthread Music Blog

Self described as “a little bit of lo-fi and a little bit of Pop,” Au Gres isn’t kidding around. The latest single from the artist is simple but well thought out and beautifully written from the heart. Minimalism is the approach, musically, but lyrically, Au Gres is tackling some heavy issues with this release. In a time where many people are struggling with their own mental health and to keep their heads up, beaten by the state of the world, Au Gres offers a glimpse of hope in humanity. “At Home In The Dark is a song about sitting with someone through their mental health episodes. It was written for my girlfriend, who has diagnosed depression, as a reminder that she will always have someone to sit with her through her episodes.” Honestly, in 2021, within the midst of the Corona Virus pandemic, what can we ask for, while we struggle with the difficulties of every day life and other more burdening internal battles, than to have a loved one make the choice to be present, during this time of great need?!

A themed Indie/Pop slow burner, Alone in the Dark, has energy to carry you through and a transcendent sound to help navigate the turbulent waters of the human physique. Catchy synth piano hooks and a calming vocal tone help to set the soul at ease and excite the imagination, simultaneously. Not only, is Au Gres saying something important here, but it’s being said with grace and melody. There is a lot of benefit to listening to this song. Not only to realize that if you are struggling, you are not alone, but because it is easy on the ears, as well. - ROCKDAFUQOUT

Do you ever just hear a song and like… want to swim in it? Just be floating right through it, weightless and suspended in time. That’s how I feel about the latest single from Au Gres. “At Home In The Dark” is indie pop at its best, reaching that perfect balance between being cool to the indie kids and having potential to reach casual music listeners on mainstream radio. That perfect tightrope act where you can maintain your street cred but also make money off of your music (this would be a good “fun fact, actually really really sad fact” tiktok).

I love learning more about how artists find their sound and where their lifetime of inspiration and music appreciation comes from… y’know, all the songs they wish they’d written first. Au Gres (real name Joshua Kemp) met me on my own Aries level by making us a playlist of artists he’d steal from (love that energy). And honestly? Listening to it, I can hear the moments that got added to the potion that birthed the Au Gres project. But at the end of the day, his music is still so uniquely him.

“Artists to steal from” is a playlist inspired by artists and songs that have influenced the music I make. Most of these songs have an upbeat, pop structure to them, and all of them motivate me to become a better artist. I’ll continue to update this playlist as I’m constantly finding new things that inspire me, I hope it inspires you too.
– Au Gres

Check out the playlist below and be sure to add “At Home In The Dark” and “Nervous” to your own playlists! - Soft Sound Press

Last October, I featured Michigan-based artist Au Gres (the music project of singer-songwriter Joshua Kemp) when I reviewed his charming debut single “Nervous”. A delightful melding of indie rock, lo-fi and synth pop elements, the song speaks of allowing ourselves to be vulnerable in order to more fully experience the joys of life, love and relationships. I liked it so much, it spent two months on my Weekly Top 30.

Now he returns with his second single “At Home in the Dark“, another stellar and dreamy track, but this time featuring a somewhat edgier rock vibe he describes as “indie pop with teeth”. The song was produced and mixed by Jake Rye at the Social Recording Company, and mastered by Mike Cervantes (the same guys who worked with another Michigan artist Dawning, whose stunning EP Petals I reviewed a few weeks ago). Josh and fellow musician Noah DeLeon played guitars, and both they and Jake all had a hand in programming synths. Brodie Glaza played drums, and Josh’s girlfriend Linsley Hartenstein played the lovely piano in the outro.

“At Home in the Dark” is essentially a sweet love song, in which Au Gres assures his romantic partner that he’ll be there to support and comfort her through good times and bad: “I want to be there when it rains / I want to know you on your bad days, baby / I want to be there when you start to think the wrong things in the right time frame / So I’m on my way to hold you close / If it rains outside we’ll stay indoors with a glass of red we’ll sing in prose / We’ll do what it takes to feel at home in the dark.”

To drive home his message, he and his fellow musicians start with a palette of delicate swirling synths, then layer multiple textures of guitar and percussion to create a lush, emotionally-powerful soundscape. The music swells to an exuberant crescendo in the choruses, highlighted by a dramatic guitar solo in the bridge. Interestingly, the song opens with the same crescendo that later appears in the choruses, putting the song on a strong footing right from the start. Josh has a fine singing voice, and his lovely comforting vocals are perfect for conveying the tender feelings of love and devotion expressed in the lyrics.

With both “Nervous” and “At Home in the Dark” to his credit, Au Gres maintains his perfect score of releasing outstanding singles. I’m confident we’ll be hearing a lot more great music to come from this talented man. - Eclectic Music Lover

Au Gres, aka Joshua Kemp, taps into the priceless emotional value that vulnerability can offer in a relationship in his latest single “Nervous.” It’s a lo-fi indie rock piece with the bouncy hooks of synthpop where Au Gres constructs a reflective and starry-eyed soundscape to let your thoughts run and sort accordingly. “Nervous is all about allowing yourself to be vulnerable with another person. It’s a scary thing to do sometimes, but the payoff is usually worth it. A relationship can only go so far without vulnerability,” he shared. - Aupium

‘Nervous‘ is an acoustic-tinged track from lo-fi, indie-pop musician Au Gres! It’s a charming track that combines dreamy synth parts with delicate rhythms and pop sensibilities. ‘Nervous’ is quite a laid-back tune that’s nostalgic soaked with vocals that are somewhat wistful. - Mix It All Up

If you’re looking for something that’s refreshing or relaxing, Michigan talent Au Gres has exactly what you’re looking for. Au Gres finds himself delivering a vibrant mesh between his mellow vocals and lively instrumental. To feel at peace, let go of your nerves and check out his latest offering below. - Vocalo Radio

Michigan-based artists, Au Gres just released his new single, “At Home In The Dark.” The track mixes elements of indie rock and synth pop to create a sound somewhere between Minus the Bear and Two Door Cinema Club. Its fun and danceable while still having hints of melancholia. - Surviving the Golden Age