Singer/songwriter, August Royals, uses smooth heartthrobbery vocals to funnel personal feelings and struggles into the songs he writes. The Georgia-born, Los Angeles-based artist began carving out a self-made career by uploading a track called “Restless” to his socials back in 2019, which went Insta-viral receiving hundreds of thousands of views.

Later a chance meeting with Kevin Abstract at a Shawn Mendes show fast-tracked him to a deal with RCA Records and a bona fide career. His debut EP, titled “Inhaler”, which includes the singles "All I Need”, "Oxygen" and "Kiss My Scars”, is a melodic freefall of non-classic pop sated with emotion and a relatable message behind it that will likely fill any teenage bedroom. What more is there to know about August? Plenty. Here, he gives us the lowdown on self-love, fame and things that make him cringe.

Shirt **Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello**

You come from Georgia, but you now live in LA, how did both those cultural landscapes shape you musically, and how would you describe your sound?

I always liked music growing up but there wasn’t much influence in Georgia that I was looking at. I was more interested in MTV and watching YouTube videos of award shows and concerts. LA has just allowed me to be surrounded with people more knowledgeable about pop culture, and my sound is still being found, but I’m a lot closer than when the EP started.

So what do you think it was about you or your sound (back then) that made people think, “Oh yeah, I love this” when you first started posting songs on your socials?

I think I was trying so many different sounds that it showed I couldn’t be boxed in, and was capable of taking on different genres, which led to a versatile EP that floats around all types of different songs.

Great for early recognition, and then you were discovered by Kevin Abstract at a Shawn Mendes concert, how did that all happen?

We both had floor tickets and happened to have people talking to us taking photos, him much more than me, so I walked up and said hey, then we just became friends on the spot. I then signed to RCA towards the end of 2020.

You’re 23 years old now, how do you see your music evolving?

I want to play around with more live instruments in production. I think that’s my next focus, to make a very tour-able project.

So which tracks on the EP are you looking forward to performing live then?

I’m most excited to perform Overdose with a live band. That one has a lot of energy!

Another track on the EP “Kiss My Scars,” is a bit of a self-love anthem - is it cathartic to translate those feelings into something public?

I feel like my music is always changing its meaning, if it helps other people get through the day, then yes. That’s one of my main goals with music.

Has there been anyone whose career you’re using as a blueprint to help inspire and shape your own?

I look at anyone who’s been in the music industry for years and just try to follow patterns. I think reinvention is one that I see the most.

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Well reinvention is definitely a staple of success and artistry. You’re still young and representing the moment now, but would you like to be someone that leaves a lasting impact, rather than just chasing the charts or the awards - do you ever struggle thinking about how to stay relevant and have longevity?

I’m definitely about leaving an impact. As much as I want to be successful, I’m not staring at the charts praying for a hit. I’d rather make something that lasts than something that has a short moment that doesn’t mean much. And I’m always thinking of longevity, I’d say I’m not famous yet so the relevance part hasn’t really kicked in, but I do plan on being in the entertainment industry my whole life in some way or another.

I would say you’re definitely getting there on the fame scale though! What’s your take on it all, with everyone wanting fame for fame’s sake, and social media comes with its expectations too. How do you feel about it all? Does fame frighten you? Does it excite you?

You have to be famous enough to make a living in this job that lasts a career, but I don’t care much for social media, I understand it’s important enough to show who’s underneath the work though.

Have you noticed that people treat you differently? Do you still have the same friends?

For sure, some people think when you do something in life you’re some type of hero or dislike you because of it. I don’t really get if it’s jealousy or people just don’t believe in what I’m doing. But yeah I’ve learned a couple friends I can count on is better than a lot of acquaintances.

I bet you have no time to date anyone?

Relationships have been more difficult just because of the lifestyle adjustment to my schedule.

What is it about fame that really makes you cringe then?

I don’t like anyone who looks at famous people objectively as a stair step. I think famous or not it’s important to have a private relationship that’s genuine between the two people before you post it everywhere. I don’t know I just think when some people are around fame it can make people manipulative so I keep a small circle because of that.

Talking of small circles, I’m interested in what the account @expandyourlungs is about, as you tag it in your Insta bio, and it’s private with not masses of followers, tell me more?

Sometimes I’ll let people follow it randomly, it’s an account that gives heads ups of what I’m working on or clothing, really anything exclusive. It serves as a “first to know” outlet and I’d like to also evolve it into apparel.

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Interview by Kate Lawson

Photography by Hadar Pitchon

Fashion by GorgeVillalpando

Grooming by Anna Bernabe at The WallGroup

Fashion Market by Anissa Silvas

Stylist’s assistant Simona Williams