You may have caught us playing Pursuit by Augustwolf on Phoenix FM recently – and we caught up with the band to find out more about them.
Tell us a bit about yourselves?
Augustwolf is the professional name of multi-instrumentalist composers/producers Douglas Wolf Reid and Oleh Andrievsky. By day, Doug runs a multimedia company of the same name based in the USA, creating audio and video productions for clients around the world. In his free time, he creates epic instrumental music.
How did Augustwolf start?
About a year ago, Doug set out to create a new collaborative musical project. He sought out collaborators online, and found Ukrainian musician Oleh Andrievsky.
The two quickly realized that they were both musically and personally compatible. A very long-distance collaboration and friendship was born. The two began writing and recording music together.
Were there any problems with this long-distance collaboration given recent world events?
Soon after the duo began their project, Vladimir Putin launched his illegal invasion of Ukraine. Frequent power outages, food shortages and the many other horrible hazards of war soon became Oleh’s reality.
However, the Augustwolf project persisted and the two ultimately completed their album.
Tell us about the album?
“Visual Music” is the debut album from Augustwolf, released worldwide via all major streaming services on January 17, 2023. The 11-song collection of cinematic instrumentals is a showcase for the remarkable musicianship of the two men behind the board. It is also a testament to the power of art to persevere over even the most horrific odds.
We played the album’s opener, Pursuit, on air – how would you describe this track?
“Pursuit” sets the pace with a powerful, percussive groove and an orchestral mix of strings, synths and shredding electric guitar.
What are the other album highlights?
“The Sorcerer’s Audition” follows, starting as an emotional ballad before the mix opens up to an atmospheric theatrical soundscape. “Jimmy Jam” brings us back to the ground with a great blues groove.
Who else has been working on this album?
Throughout the album Doug and Oleh are accompanied by an international cast of characters. Bassists, horn players and violinists from Argentina to Serbia join the ensemble. From the theatrical “Cirque Show” to the emotional closer “Ukraine Peace and War”, they augment Doug’s genre-bending arrangments while Oleh smokes on the guitar.
How would you describe the mood of “Visual Music”?
The record moves through many moods. Tracks like “On Douglas Pond” and “La La Chillax” blend elements of classical, easy listening and folk. We head back to the movie theater for the dramatic power ballad “Soften the Hammer” and the chase-scene score of “Blockbuster”. It is a beautiful and powerful set created by two friends separated by geography and war, but joined by a love of music.
Where can we find out more about you?
Our page at augustwolf.hearnow.com is a good place to start as this takes you to all streaming services playing our music.
