Exclusive Interview with SAINT AUBIN

Saint Aubin is a singer-songwriter who plays multiple instruments. He is an Indianapolis, Indiana, native. He focuses on crafting effective hooks while maintaining a lighthearted attitude. He is a “wildman” onstage and must be seen in person. You can find him podcasting, making silly videos, cooking, and playing with his dog when he’s not writing songs.
Tomorrow is Saint Aubin’s third single of 2022. The song is a “straight to the point banger,” according to him. He started using song to process his feelings after losing his mother last year. His love/hate relationship with the concept of tomorrow is the subject of the song Tomorrow. Tomorrow holds both hope and fear. Hope for recovery but reluctance to move on. Check out the song and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

SAINT AUBIN: I was born in Chicago and grew up in Crown Point Indiana. My family was very musical. Every holiday time we would gather and sing songs and old hymns. My first instrument was piano, but I hated practicing and got bored. So I moved to drums. I loved it, my parents did it. My brother started playing guitar and I wanted to be like him so I quickly followed. Once I picked up a guitar I would write goofy songs and then one day I wrote about something serious. It’s been downhill ever since then.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

SAINT AUBIN: I took a few drum lessons as a kid, but mostly self taught

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘SAINT AUBIN’?

SAINT AUBIN: DC Talk, Five Iron Frenzy and The Chariot. I later got into a band called Thrice and then found Dustin Kensrue’s solo album. I’ve tried to sound like him ever since. I wish Saint Aubin was an homage to a patron Saint of good food or something, but it is my last name, just spelled slightly differently (St. Aubin).

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

SAINT AUBIN: If it resonates at all I am happy. I usually describe my sound as good music with good hooks.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as ROCK?

SAINT AUBIN:

My favorite band growing up was the Chariot. They were wild and reckless on stage. I’ve been trying to emulate that for years. My development is ever changing. My sound should be different five years from now. I think we are in a time where genre is pointless. I try to chase what is fun for me and don’t think about genre too much.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

SAINT AUBIN:

My songs are more of an artistic expression. If people are led to talk about a specific topic or issue they should. It does seem to me that artists think they have to have a political or social element to their brand. I think it is unnecessary. There is a lot of social pressure to conform to certain ideologies. Musicians used to buck against those trends, but now they stick to the talking points of their political agenda. It gets boring for me.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

SAINT AUBIN:

I love what I do. I chase fun, not fame. The hope is to do this for a living. If not, I’ll die happy that I had a lot of fun.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

SAINT AUBIN:

I usually have a melody in my head that I came up with in the shower. I record a voice memo and try to figure it out. I procrastinate for a few months then do it.

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

SAINT AUBIN:

I lost my mom. That sucked.

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

SAINT AUBIN: A manager approached me and wanted to work with me. That was cool. So far so good.

11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?

SAINT AUBIN: Social media is a game. It’s fun. The criticism isn’t real. Most people see you putting yourself out there and are upset that they aren’t living their full potential. I get a lot of hate on my Youtube channel. I like to troll.

12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?

SAINT AUBIN: There is nothing that beats a live audience. Specially when everyone gets on the same wave. Human connection will always be number one, until AI gets really good. Then, it’s over. Humanity had a good run.

13. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?

SAINT AUBIN: Let freedom ring. If you connected with it that’s all I care about.