Aurora View to Play Midwest Tour
The metal band Aurora View, made up of Marshfield High School alumni Aaron Handrich and Dylan Handrich, will play at Coral Lanes in Schofield, Wisconsin at 7pm on August 19th.
Aurora View identifies itself in the metalcore genre, the lovechild of extreme metal and hardcore punk rock where vocals are typically screamed rather than sung. Aurora View is based in St. Paul, Minnesota but the band will be touring around the Midwest throughout August.
Longtime fans of Aurora View may remember the project under a different name, Failure On Her Lips.
“We changed our name to Aurora View when we got a new bassist,” explained Aaron Handrich, lead vocalist. “The music we started making [afterwards] was just way different than what we were trying to put together when we were Failure On Her Lips. I guess that name represented an immature time for us as a band.”
At this time, Aurora View is made up of Aaron Handrich on lead vocals, Dylan Handrich on guitar, Kyle Roy on bass, and Jared Franklin on drums. Brothers Aaron and Dylan Handrich began making music together when they were in third grade. Their love for making music together transformed into a promising career in the music industry.
“My brother writes all of the instrumentals; he’s like a master. He’ll send me whatever he writes and I’ll write lyrics to them,” raved Handrich.
Aurora View is producing an album in addition to touring the Midwest this summer. At this time, the album does not have a title.
“We have this makeshift recording studio over at my bassist’s place and we’re good friends with Dakota Testa from the band Insolence. He’s going to come over and record our album for us.”
The lead single off of the album is called “Nightlife,” although “Empathy” was the first song recorded for the album.
Currently, Handrich is the only band member not living in Minnesota.
“Right now, putting together and preparing for the tour is difficult because of the distance between me and the rest of the band. We’ve all got jobs but we’re still crankin’ stuff out,” said Handrich.
The song “Skinwalker” is available to listen to on YouTube. The chorus of “Skinwalker” is sung, which is atypical of Aurora View. In most Aurora View songs, the lyrics are screamed rather than sung, a decision made to stay true to the metalcore genre.
“I used to not warm up at all,” said Handrich. “Before, I was using an inhale scream which kind of tears apart the vocal cords. But now I’m using an exhale scream that is healthier for the voice.”
The chorus of “Skinwalker” is emotional and vulnerable. It’s clear that Handrich opened up his heart while writing the lyrics: “Where were you when I needed you? Don’t tell me it’s too hard to see it through.” The message burned into “Skinwalker” has a deeper meaning for Handrich.
“I don’t typically like to write songs about relationships because I like to keep a more positive message, and I think that’s displayed more in our newer stuff,” said Handrich. “Skinwalker was very strong in an emotional way to me… I guess that song in particular was just a good release for me.”
Aurora View pulls inspiration from bands like Blink-182 and Pierce the Veil.
When asked where he sees Aurora View in three years, Handrich said, “Hopefully playing the Van’s Warped Tour where we’ve always dreamed of performing.”
However, Handrich says he doesn’t care so much about being the most popular or most famous band. “As long as people are listening to our music and getting something out of it, then I’m happy.”
