The last few weeks has left me a bit worried. Probably nothing, really. I am easy to worry. I still want to share my thoughts with you. I have noticed that Aurora have been very active lately. Almost no days pass without a new interview is shared, a new talkshow she has attended, another photoshoot or performance to be held. She has been many days on the road now, and she have travelled far from her nurturing trees. And we all want more. More music, more interviews, more livestreams, more concerts close to our home. More. More.
This brings me back to her exhausting year of 2016. A year that nearly drained her completely. This newsletter I have dedicated to share some insight about that year. I need Aurora to keep going on as the artist she is. I need her not to burn her candles on both ends. I belive you do too. That's why I need you to remember.
Fabrice has put toghether som clips from the Once Aurora documentary, exclusivly for this newsletter. You will not find it elsewhere. It’s a summary, or a glimpse, into the pressure Aurora faced.
Aurora gained popularity rapidly after her first significant concert at Bylarm 2014, and later she signed with prestigious labels such as Petroleum Records in Norway and internationally with Decca and Glassnote. Her music reached us all on this planet.
Fast forward: Aurora's demanding schedule in 2016 tells its own story of how intense and exhausting life she had as a touring artist. The numbers paint a crazy picture of the relentless pace she maintained throughout that year – close to 250 days on the road, including a staggering 150 concerts. Beyond the stage, her commitments extended to 80 video interviews and backstage talks, fan meetings, responding to over 60 news articles, participating in photoshoots, radio shows, and television appearances. All this while trying to nurture the creative process of making new music and collaborating with other artists.
She also wished to have more of her music released. She knew we, her warriors and weirdos, were eagerly awaiting it. The delays, although strategic for aligning with international releases placed more weight on this artist who was eager to share her musical journey with us. We can all see that there is a fine line Aurora had to tread between creative perfectionism and industry deadlines.
“Two years older in just one”, Aurora humorously remarks.
There's an undertone of vulnerability, reading the newsarticles from back then. Aurora, the young girl who was used to find peace within her imagination, now found that the simplicity of observing the wind and trees became more and more distant, now replaced by the pulsating energy of concert halls and the glow of stage lights - now replaced by applause and expectations from us.
Another glimpe into “Life On Tour”
As we reflect on Aurora's whirlwind of a year in 2016, I think it's crucial for us, the Warriors and Weirdos, to recognize the effort and energy she puts into sharing her art with the us. The countless concerts, interviews, and creative endeavors undoubtedly take a toll. In our anticipation for more and longing for her attention, we must never forget that behind the enchanting performances, there's a human being with limits and vulnerabilities.
She said: “It's hard enough to be a human being”. As fans, it's important to observe and notice the toll such a demanding schedule can take on her. I have a plea for you: Let's be mindful not to push Aurora beyond her limits. Let’s show her that we understand that even our favorite artists needs moments of rest and restituition. As we love her artistry, as we connect with her music, as we need her and relate to her, let's also appreciate the person who wants to hug trees and walk the streets without lifeguards.
"...I hope that everyone in the audience know, that you also know that since the documentary was made, I think we were done filming it in 2017.
So, in the beginning of 2017.
So, since then, I have learned to appreciate touring much more, because I realized how to find the balance between, you know, being here for everyone else and also being there for myself.
So, I promise you that I am way more happy now on tour, also, and more happy when I'm busy and when I'm tired, because my core is more happy and then everything is so much easier to do...
...So, yeah, I'm going to give myself a long break. I'm going to try to be bored. And then I think maybe then I can start touring again..."
And then I'm going to be, I don't know, I understand now how everything, you know, fits together, and my fans and I just love these moments I get with my fans on tour.
It's so special.
(Aurora at the Q&A after the release of “Once Aurora” documentary)
Final words:
So, yes. I am easily worried. I hope Aurora will keep going for years still. And probably she will. I believe that, in essence, being a true fan means not only to celebrate Aurora's intelligence and creativity, but also respecting her humanity. As Aurora walks the steps of her incredible journey, let's be the kind of fans who uplift and approve, ensuring that her artistic journey is as fulfilling, peaceful and sustainable as possible. In respecting her well-being, we may contribute to her longevity as an artist and affirm the values she holds dear. She knows that “it’s hard to be a human being”. We don’t need to add to that.
Sources:
23-12-2016 - Velfortjent pust i bakken
22-07-2017 - Savner mer tid til å skrive musikk
12-08-2017 - I used to hate my voice
29-09-2017 - Det er hardt nok å være et ekte menneske
Where can you watch the “Once Aurora” documentary?
Tubi - (it's actually free on this USA-only site, but paid by ads)
Also, if you live in Norway, you can actually watch a shorter version
I too am worried that Aurora will burn herself up like a candle and then collapse with a burn-out. Let's hope that those close to her will keep an eye on her mental and physical condition and if needed, make her put her foot on the brake.
Here is some more information about her 2016. On July 3rd 2017 she hosted the NRK P3 show "Tett på: Aurora" (Close to: Aurora), and she explains that when she finally got to the studio in January 2017, she was "completely empty", her first experience of writers block, and how she got through it:
https://youtu.be/6a5AnMcZAo8&t=14m44s
She also talks a bit about her 2016 with Christine Dancke on NRK P3 Christine Live on April 27th 2017:
https://youtu.be/q_-ZDDFt_zA&t=3m45s