The debut album from KARIO, Audition is a vessel for the kind of revelatory pop songs that contain a rare constellation of elements: arcane wisdom and unfettered emotion, poetic observation, and wide-eyed philosophy. Named for its mononymous frontman, the collective features some of the most imaginative and idiosyncratic musicians in indie-rock and pop today. 

One of the first songs created for KARIO, Audition’s title track established the abundantly generous spirit of collaboration that now defines the project. “More than anything, I wanted to be the emcee of this marvelous circus we were putting together with all these incredibly talented and original musicians,” says Kario. “So instead of trying to control every last particle of the experiment, we gave everyone the freedom to be themselves as much as humanly possible.” Thanks in large part to that creative abandon, “Audition” unfolds in a delicate collision of sonic details (warm saxophone melodies, opulent strings, radiant bursts of synth), all of which form an exquisite setting for Kario’s intensely vulnerable confession of the longing to belong.

1. Your aesthetics are quite edgy and original. What inspires them?

First of all, thank you for that. I think some of it is in my control and some of it isn’t, which is true for most artists I would say. Sometimes the inspirations are so deep they remain a mystery even to the creator and that’s a good thing. While there is an intellectual element to making art and music, there remains a healthy dose of the unexplained, the unplanned, the accidental alchemy of disparate elements.  It’s this instinct for contrast which is at the core of the music. Thus the uptempo danceable beat of a song that plays with the darker theme of willful captivity. 

2. What inspired this music video?

Honestly, it all started with (producer) Chris Blood’s decision to reach out to the amazing internet provocateur and visual artist, Ben Ditto, sensing that he would grasp the multiple meanings of the track and invent something truly original. And that’s what happened. The dual messages of the song really connected with Ben who has explored these themes in his other work. With an artist like Ben, you don’t try to control the process, you get out of the way and let a great artist be a great artist. 

3. The title captive is very provocative. Tell us more about the track! 

It comes from my obsession with the sort of willful mindlessness we see across the globe and particularly in this country with the embrace of cults and conspiracies on social media, in politics, etc. The idea being that if you fall in love with your captor you are no longer a captive. At least that is the willful delusion. It’s a kind of Stockholm Syndrome. I had never heard it explored in a song before. But again, the contrast of the intentionally hooky top line is what makes it so, what’s the word? Subversive? 

4. What are your goals for 2022?

I have always believed that artistry must be fueled by ambition for greatness. Art of any kind is not a hot house flower that thrives largely isolated from the world in which we live. It has to engage, it has to get into the mix and mix it up. You may never achieve that greatness, but you have to try. And in that attempt, in that journey… you discover who you really are and what you’re really made of. 

5. What’s the most important skill to develop to be a successful artist these days?

I think the hardest thing for any artist is discovering and curating a particular identity that is authentic to themselves and yet original enough to stand out in a very, very crowded world of art and music. As I said before, the obstacles can sometimes feel overwhelming. So remaining open and collaborating with brilliant people of similar intent is crucial…It takes a lot of time and money and commitment that tests you at every stage. The journey is not for the faint of heart. 

6. What’s the most difficult thing about being an artist today?

Making a living at it. 

7. What do you want your music to communicate ultimately?

Beauty, passion, humanity, an epic sense of scale that touches your heart and soul, that reminds you, even when you’re dancing, even when you’re crying, that you are not alone.