Bristol has long been a breeding ground for boundary-pushing sound, and rising multi-hyphenate AUGUST is fast becoming one of its most compelling new voices. A singer, songwriter, producer, and composer, she crafts music where dreamy atmospheres collide with hard-hitting electronics, weaving together alternative R&B, breaks, and trip-hop into something that feels both fresh and deeply rooted in the city’s heritage.

Her latest single ‘Wait For Me’, a collaboration with UK dance veteran Andrew Ferguson (aka Outrage), distills this ethos into a sultry, break-driven release that’s as emotive as it is powerful. Balancing intricate drum work with AUGUST’s layered, hypnotic vocals, the track builds into euphoric heights before gently unraveling into piano and string-like textures, mirroring the push and pull of control, surrender, and self-determination.

With support already pouring in from BBC Introducing, Worldwide FM, Rinse FM, and a growing list of live highlights including Bristol Beacon, AUGUST is entering an exciting new phase. Ahead of her forthcoming EP, we caught up with her to talk about her recent material, artistic freedom, and why now feels like the perfect time to take full command of her destiny.

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Can you tell us a bit about your musical background and how you got started in music?

I’ve been involved in music for as long as I can remember, but it all probably kicked off after I moved to London from the Southwest several years ago. I gained a BA (Hons) in Performing Arts and joined House Gospel Choir, performing at a number of festivals and prestigious venues across the UK. A notable performance would be the BBC, performing alongside the likes of Beverley Knight and Katy B.

Who are some of your biggest musical influences, both past and present?

If I had to choose, I would say Aaliyah, Annie Lennox, Bjork, Kate Bush, James Blake, Sampha and Cleo Sol.

Are there any specific artists or bands that have had a significant impact on your music style or approach?

I have a very eclectic taste in music, and I think all the elements that I personally find beautiful within that, come out in my work.

Could you share any memorable moments or experiences that have shaped your musical journey so far?

Securing consistent press and regional / international radio play and releasing my first self-produced EP as an independent artist. Collaborating with Nomine aka Outrage and receiving an amazing turn out at my most recent headline show at The Louisiana was also a key moment for me. 

How do you express your personal experiences and identity through your music?

I’m particularly driven by dreamy, cinematic, nostalgic and slightly gothic things and have a strong connection to TV, film, theatre. Nature and fashion also inspire me.

I like to express myself in a way that feels like a chapter in a book or episode in a movie, which is probably why a lot of people have stated how they have felt nostalgia in my music sometimes.

Have you faced any challenges or obstacles as a female musician, and if so, how have you overcome them? 

Yes, but I try to avoid mansplaining by taking credit where it’s due. I think that challenges and obstacles also present themselves within the music industry in ways beyond just being a female musician i.e., ageism, racism and homophobia. I also think that culture applauds sameness, people like to be told that something is cool, they don’t have time to scratch beneath the surface. Community is very important, but the industry can be too heavily weighted towards networking and fitting into a box at times, as opposed to just giving the music or talent a platform, which can prolong the journey and make it more challenging for an artist doing something a little different to obtain the same level of opportunities.

Are there any particular themes or messages that you aim to convey through your music?

I prioritise vibe and sentiment over any sense of boundaries or stifling pigeonhole and get a kick out of sharing stories through music depending on what I’m feeling at the time. 

Can you talk about your creative process and how you go about writing and producing your music?

It’s important to keep things simple, and not to overthink it. If you like the way something sounds, use it. I capture ideas via voice memo, it can be a vocal idea, either compositional i.e. a melody or from a songwriting perspective i.e. lyrical, and I’ll work on a verse chorus to sketch out the initial idea and then build on it from there. It’s like a soup, start off simple and add ingredients as you go along. I produce music in Logic Pro X and record MIDI sounds using Arturia.

How do you hope your music will resonate with your audience, especially with other aspiring female musicians?

It’s always important to think about the audience, but I mainly create what sounds beautiful to me. Rick Rubin speaks actively about this very notion and a preference for music that is authentic, unique, and emotionally resonant, rather than technically perfect or adhering to genre conventions. You should look him up if you’re not familiar with his work, his work includes pioneering hip-hop acts like Run-DMC and Public Enemy, as well as mainstream artists such as Adele and Lady Gaga.

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Listen to AUGUST’s new single ‘Wait For Me’ below.