August Sky, aka Nicholas August Hopp, is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and live performer based in Illinois. For him, music is the platform through which he expresses himself, his ideas, and shares experiences fueling his evolution as a human. His music project is more than just an audio/visual experience. It’s a celebration of life through his eyes and ears.

Nick has been playing guitar since he was nine years old forming the foundation for future musical amalgamations. He went through music school and studied brass, percussion, and keyboard through lessons and practice. To him, music is perspective. It gives insight into the artist and the sounds that resonate with their soul, and August Sky is very soulful. His live setup incorporates guitar, keyboard, and MIDI controllers so he can weave an electric auditory tale that takes listeners on a journey.

The origin of the August Sky idea came during a three-month backpacking trip from Vietnam through Thailand, and ending in Manali, India. Halfway through the trip, Nick took a moped in Thailand to a beautiful preserve during the month of August. As he gazed upon a pristine and perfect sky, he felt a deep sense of consciousness, understanding, and peace within himself. A couple of years later, it all clicked for Nick. Electronic music and rave culture had been a part of his life for quite some time. He wanted to give back to the scene that had shown him love and inclusivity. August Sky was born.

August Sky wants his performances to reflect an organic synthesis of media on the fly. Not just through how he presents his music, but also the way visuals elements are displayed within his sets. Over the past few years, Nick has carried audio recorders and cameras to capture sequences and footage from his expeditions traveling the world. Experiencing new cultures has been integral to his personal growth, and he seeks to share those discoveries. Vicariously, he hopes others can gleam their own benefit from his vision.

Nick derives meaning through creation. It’s a tenet that’s characteristic of many artists who share themselves with the world. Unadulterated expression sourced from the soul. A light that guides us through darkness and adversity when we inevitably endure periods of distress. In a way, the process of creation is a beacon of light that helps us stand tall in the best of moments, but more importantly, the worst of moments. In Nick’s words, “There’s a different type of music for every different type of day.”

Nick loves to travel and explore the world. He has been doing so for over ten years, even living in China for a period of five months. The beauty of his August Sky project is that it combines his desire to create music with his love for exploring. Understanding through experience. August Sky has become a fast friend, and regular performer, at many Suburban Sound Syndicate events.

If you’d like to learn more about August Sky, you can follow him on Facebook and Instagram @theaugustskyproject. You can also check out his tracks on Soundcloud.

--Electro Scribe--