GET TO KNOW: AURA

For more than three decades, Swedish symphonic progressive rock outfit AURA have built a reputation for turning weighty themes into expansive, politically charged soundscapes. With the release of their ninth studio album 'INNOVATIONS', the band continue to push at the boundaries of what conceptual rock can achieve. Weaving together threads of technology, politics, tragedy, and hope into a sprawling fifteen-track opus designed to be heard in full.

From the rave-tinged pulse of 'Generation Z' to the reflective balladry of 'Nova', which draws on the 2023 Hamas attack on the Nova festival in Israel, 'INNOVATIONS' is as varied as it is ambitious. The title-track leans into optimism, imagining a future shaped by creativity and artificial intelligence, while songs like 'One Trick Pony' dissect the contradictions of performative protest culture. Across the record, AURA stay true to their ethos: to hold up a mirror to the modern world while offering cinematic soundscapes that balance grandeur with emotional weight.

So with the new album out now, we sat down with the band's Lennie Andrews to discuss his origins and influences over the years.

What was the first band or artist you fell in love with? 

Tough question because there are so many great bands to choose from but I try to be a bit odd so I choose THE ANIMALS. Later it was of course the BEATLES and in the 70s PINK FLOYD, whose music I have never left.

Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so, what did they sound like? 

As children we stood in our garage and "pretend-played" on boxes, cans, etc. The first serious attempt was when I was 20 years old and from then on it just kept going. I wrote my first completely original song when I was about 14 years old. It was called THATÁS NOT THE RIGHTLY MAN and was recorded on a reel-to-reel tape recorder.

What has been your primary inspiration in writing music? 

I read somewhere about how John Lennon wrote his lyrics inspired by simple things like a circus poster, newspaper or a quote. I have borrowed and developed that idea in my writing.

What is a song you wish you had written yourself? 

WISH YOU WERE HERE

If there was any moment in your career you could relive, what would it be? 

AURA's tours in the 1980s when we played the Rock Musical DALEN at various theaters, concert halls and school auditoriums around Sweden. Over 100 performances over 4 years with musicians like Tony Borg (guitar), Tommy Mattsson (drums) who is back, myself on keyboards and Urban Wingård on bass etc. + 15 young people who played the different characters. We were like a traveling circus company and had a lot of fun the whole time.

Which artist would you most love to share a stage with? 

PINK FLOYD with David Gilmour…

And is there an artist you would love to collaborate with as well? 

It would have been fantastic if Paul McCartney had visited the studio, come up with different ideas and played something.

Where do you see yourself in five years time? 

Oh, If everything goes well. INNOVATIONS is truly discovered and AURA is allowed to emerge as the new music hope. Then there is nothing that can stop me. Then AURA will be on the big stages with a fantastic stage show that underlines the theme of the different songs. How awesome it will be.

Listen to AURA's new album 'INNOVATIONS' below.