Audrye Sessions

Words and Photos by Joe Koch

Audrye Sessions is a quartet from Oakland, Calif. that most people have never heard of but definitely should. Their sound is similar to Coldplay and early Radiohead. Their live shows are amazing and leave you wanting more. They are currently on tour with Manchester Orchestra in support of their self-titled album. I sat down with vocalist Ryan Karazija and guitarist Michael Knox and talked about the album and the history of the band.

Joe: How did you come up with the name Audrye Sessions?

Ryan: That name came from when I was gonna start playing by myself at some coffee shops. When I called the first place to book a show they put me on hold and while I was waiting there was a Sony commercial playing from back in the day. It’s the one for their mini discs, where a blue alien makes a disc for a girl whose name was Audrye and he calls it the Audrye Sessions. So when they came back on and said, “You’re booked for this date. “What name should we put down? Your personal or do you have another name that you go by?”

I said, “Put down Audrye Sessions.”

Joe: And it just stuck?

Ryan: Yeah, I always thought that we’d change it when we started the band. But, we never did.

Joe: How long has the band been together?

Ryan: In 2002. That’s the first time Alicia ever played a bass and I’d been playing for a while. But, it really wasn’t a band yet. It’s basically when our friendships began. Then we met Mike and we played for a little bit, but then he left to go to college. So I’d say we’ve been a real band, a practicing, playing shows band for about three years.

Joe: When you started the band, you and Alicia were dating?

Ryan: Yeah. Everything is fine now.

Joe: So how did the break up affect the band?

Ryan: It was pretty tough cuz we were together for a little over four years. We lived together and we practiced at our place. So then it was like I’m moving out and I went and got my own place. Then we had practice two days later. Which was kinda weird and it was really horrible for a while. Really horrible.

Joe: And the band stayed together through that whole process?

Mike: We did our first big tour shortly after it.

Ryan: Yeah, and it was horrible.

Joe: What tour was that?

Mike: It was just a tour that we booked on our own across the country.

Joe: So how did you get hooked with Manchester Orchestra?

Ryan: I believe our label rep is friends with Manchester’s label and it just fell into place.

Joe: You guys being from Oakland, How many times have you made it out to the East Coast to play?

Ryan: We were out with a band called Margo & the Nuclear So and So’s last year in August, which was all East Coast. And we were out here in October and November.

Joe: Do you see a big difference in the West Coast crowds versus the East Coast?

Ryan: Not a big difference. But our first time touring to the east coast, it was like touring to another country for some states. I was always wondering how it was going to be; are they gonna treat you any different? But, it just ended up being all the same.

Joe: Many reviewers compare you to Coldplay, Muse and early Radiohead. What do you hear when you listen to your own music?

Ryan: I hear… (pause) I don’t like to listen to it.

Joe: You don’t like to listen to your own music?

Ryan: No. It’s horrible. I listened to the record one time and during the second song I started to have a panic attack and I shut it off.

Joe: Really?

Ryan: This is an old album for us. Some of the songs are from our EP. The newest songs on it are a year and half old for us. You know, we love playing these songs live and we found ways to play them live but I don’t want to listen to the CD. We can be more interesting live. It allows us to recreate some of the older songs. That keeps them fresh for us. It also allows us to show the direction we’re heading in as a band.

Joe: So you don’t listen to your own music, do you read what people are saying about you?

Joe: When can we expect your next album?

For more information go to: www.myspace.com/audryesessions