Album Of The Week: Venues' Aspire

Now is the time for German post-hardcore six-piece Venues to get serious. Having made a name for themselves with a mix of Marmozets-style rage and the ethereal atmosphere of PVRIS, the band are set to release their debut album, Aspire, and co-vocalists Nyves Krithinidou and Robin Baumann are realising how much this means to them.

“We grew up when making this record,” Nyves says. “We know what we want now. I realised that music isn’t just about partying and getting drunk – it allows you to convey a positive message to people. Music can be a tool to effect change. That’s the lesson I’ve learnt over the past year.”

The message Nyves speaks of is one of hope for the future, but it’s a wake-up call to their generation, too. Venues’ latest single, the stomping We Are One, addresses this issue.

“If everyone would act more positively and with an open heart, there wouldn’t be so much misunderstanding in the world,” she explains. “It’s representative of the call to arms we’re making on the whole record. We’re all connected to each other in some way; we’re a new generation with a new mission, and that’s what we’re conveying with the song.”

Similarly, We Are One’s video looks to demonstrate the merits of this inclusive outlook.

“We wanted to show the different lives that people lead, be it with their routines or their loneliness, and do that with those of varying ages and nationalities,” Nyves offers. “Although our lives may seem so different, we’re still the same. We wanted to show the connections that lie between people from different countries.”

It’s stirring stuff, and if you like what you’re hearing from Nyves, then fellow vocalist Robin has good news: Venues have plans to hit up the UK before the year is out.

“We’re looking to do some touring towards the end of the year,” he says. “To have the chance to play on bigger stages and reach wider audiences with our music would be amazing. Our goal right now is to spread the music and our message.”

Words: Jake Richardson

Venues' album, Aspire, is out today (July 27), via Arising Empire Records. Check out the artwork and stream it below.