Auriol Hays was born and raised in the Western Cape and hails from a musical family background. She knew little of her talent but a chance meeting with songwriter / producer extraordinaire, Andre Scheepers, brought her debut album, Behind Closed Doors into fruition and lead to her first SAMA nomination and SAMA performance with Tumi and The Volume and Marcus Wyatt. Collaboration with well known house DJ Rowick Deep resulted in her first number one single (Deeper Than the Ocean). She has also collaborated with JR and Teargas.
Aside from singing at numerous corporate and private venues, Auriol has since performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, opened with the Gauteng Big Band for the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, sang at the Zoo Lake music festival, wowed crowds at the 94.7 Christmas Wish Concert, perform to a sold out crowd at the Grahamstown Festival and staged another sold out Nina Simone Introspective show in Cape Town. Her music has also been used on various movie and television soundtracks.
We asked her a few questions..
What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
I use to be real 'Loskop Dolla' , as my mother says. I would go wherever the wind blew me. Now I am a lot more focused. I spend a few minutes listening to my favorite music so I can get a clear idea of what I need to do for the day. I jot it down and brew up a nice cup of tea and check in my close friends. The conversation usually revolves around music and food. For example - Mark will ask me what my plans are for the day and what I plan on cooking that night. I will pretend I am clueless, solicit his advice and talk dirty before I get on with my day.
What was the last thing you did that gave you a HUGE adrenaline rush?
I am a boring Scorpio who likes being prepared for everything. That is rather easy where music is concerned.. However, white river rafting was a big rush as I can’t swim to save my life. I was convinced I would end up in the water and that my lifeless body would float up somewhere. Some consider it a “sin” considering I am from Cape Town.
I blame this on the fact that I almost drowned twice when I was a kid and the movie Jaws! You will be glad to know that my daughter is teaching me to swim. She worries too much. Also I am getting tired of hearing stuff like, “What will you do if there is a flood or a tsunami!”
Which country would you most like to visit?
Brazil and only during their Capoeira tournaments. I love everything about Capoeira…the martial art itself and the tribal feeling the drums and singing evoke. I never know whether I should look at the people within the roda or close my eyes and listen to the music. The fact that there are so many hot looking men is also a distraction!
If you could be any character from a TV Series, who would you be?
I would be The Dr from tv series Dr Who. The idea that I could travel the universe and be free of time is a very seductive one…Also, he is bladdy smart and cocky!
Your pet peeves?
I can’t stand being around drug addicts.
How would you describe music to a deaf person?
I wouldn’t…Anyone listening to my music should be able to feel the sincerity through my music. I don’t sing to please anyone. I sing what I feel or know to be true. That’s what drives me. Knowing that I have a space where I can be vulnerable and honest while being in the presence of people feel that too. In fact it is an honor if you think about it and something I take very seriously.
Who is your favourite SA artist at the moment?
The Cat and Mr Jackal and Nomadic Orchestra. Their music…it takes you out of your head and into your body. For someone like me (who over- thinks and analyses things to death) it is a relief. You can’t help but dance like a lunatic, clap your hands and scream when those bands get on stage. It’s such a release.
How did your career in music come about?
By accident. I never thought that anyone cared about who I was or my voice. In fact I spent a great deal of time thinking I could not sing at all. All I ever wanted was the opportunity to sing. I was never really specific about where or how much I would get paid. Again I was lucky in that I kept running into the right people at the oddest times in my life. I never planned anything…I still don’t when it comes to music.
Your favourite gig ever?
The Grahamstown Festival when I played my first sold out show. I was convinced no one would rock up. I even called one of my best friends in a complete state of panic before the show. It was my favorite show because that’s when we really became a band. They were no longer musicians for hire. I like being around people who understand me – both on and off stage - and that was a huge turning point. Finally they understood me! Afterwards we celebrated by having supper at the Spur and talking crap! I was just so grateful to be surrounded by so many talented people.
How do you measure success right now?
I don’t. My philosophy with music is very simple. I take things as they come. When I get home after a gig I always ask myself, “What could you have done better?” Only after answering that question and making a solemn promise to improve will I sleep. I guess I want to always enjoy what I do and push myself to be better.
Describe the perfect setting from any era where your music would provide the perfect soundtrack.
I am rather happy to be where I am. I spent so much of my life wishing I was in anther place, another body… This time around my music is the sound track to my life. I no look or even search. I take things as they come and make allowances for the fact that I will be surprised, make mistakes and learn from them – or not!
Is your upcoming album 'Anima Sola' musically different compared to 'Behind Closed Doors' ?
Behind Closed Doors was my entry into the music industry. And let me be straight. I knew so little back then. I barely knew where to look or how to move on stage. I was lucky to be surrounded by people who could give me direction (Andre Scheepers in my first band was instrumental in this). However, the new album is all me. I wrote almost every song, decided how I wanted things played, the feel, the groove, the hook…That is the most important thing in my opinion.
My music needs to reflect who I am and feel sincere and good – even when I am singing a terribly sad song. I am my most honest and vulnerable on stage. That can be rather emotional and alarming at times. I sang one song a few nights ago and had to stop because I was on the verge of tears. In order to avoid being a mess on stage I talked out a few words Barry White style until I was able to regain composure. The new album, Anima Sola (the forsaken soul) is very personal, very intimate album.
Which is your favourite song off the new album?
Do I Really Have To Say The Words – written by Lionel Bastos and A Better Man.
What effect do you want your music to have on people?
I want the audience to walk away feeling the way I do after listening to Ben Harper. They need to feel that I just shared something very real and authentic with them. I saw Ben Harper in Montreux. I was alone at his concert and not a raving groupie yet (which I am now). I remember listening to him sing and tearing up. It was a beautiful thing. He reminds me why I am a musician – so that I can share with others and give solace in any way I am able too…and that is how I would like to affect people…
What can the fans look forward to this year?
I hope to surprise anyone who listens to my music. Music …evolves as I do. So dependant on how I feel a song will change, the mood…I placing of certain notes …the nuances. I never want to sing a song the same way every time. Anyway, I am too volatile and emotional to pull that off!
A big thank you from 10 Minutes With to Auriol for the interview!
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