Luke Austin
Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | SELF
Music
Press
Luke Austin is a Torontonian with a bluesy voice covering French electronic duo Daft Punk… trust me, it all makes sense after you listen to it. Luke will be playing our fair city next month, Februray 9th at Guilt & Co. Although Luke is known for his covers (he also has some Coldplay on YouTube) he will be working on his original music this year, keep an eye out for him around Canada and SXSW! - Vancouver Music Review
Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, Luke Austin is making waves as far as Nashville with his Debut CD “The Desert”. With an exciting tour to the West Coast, Luke Austin will be making his first Vancouver performance at Guilt & Company on Sunday February 9. We caught up with the talented singer/songwriter to pick his brain on his music and self-proclaimed genre “Desert Alternative”.
luke-austin-live-gastown-guilt-and-company
Could you tell us about your background in music?
Music was always a theme in my household growing up so naturally I was very drawn to it. From a young age I played instruments like trumpet, drums, bass and guitar. Most of these instruments I'm still fluent in. Writing and recording was a natural progression for me. I suffered a Post Concussion Syndrome when I was in high school and I had to quit hockey. I had a lot of built up emotions so i took up writing songs. Since then I have been performing for a living and it's been a dream come true waking up everyday and doing what I love.
Many are describing your music as “Desert Alternative” – how do you describe your sound?
I would describe my sound as really strung out blues, mixed with some country and rock and roll. I love to focus my writing on that initial observation and connect emotionally with people's heartstrings.
Are there any artists/musicians that inspire your sound?
Marcus Mumford is great. Noah Gundersen is one of my favourites. I’m also a huge fan of Toronto locals, July Talk. I also listen to a lot of outlaw country like old Hank Williams, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash.
Congratulations on the success of your debut CD! How does it feel to have your music making waves in cities like Nashville, Tennessee?
It's great obviously to have your stuff recognized in such a great city. But it doesn't really matter to me where people like the music, it just matters that people like the music no matter where they are on the map.
luke-austin-live-gastown-guilt-company
How has travelling and performing on tour influenced you as a musician and songwriter?
Everyone you meet could be your inspiration for a new song. Everyone is living such a complex life these days that everyone's stories become so interesting. You have to take what you can especially on the road. No matter where you go everyone has something musically that they do very well. For example being a part of singing a great shanty on the east coast of Canada, or playing 12 bars with the guys down in Nashville. It's all great knowledge to take with you as a musician.
What’s one of the most surprising moments you’ve encountered on your tour?
I honestly pinch myself everyday because this life that I'm living surprises me everyday. Being able to travel everywhere and play my music to me is totally surreal.
Do you prefer recording in the studio or performing live?
Performing live. I feel like the room and the people in it, are as much as part of the songs as me performing them.
What can people expect from your live performances?
The goal is to give them an intriguing and immersive show. And hopefully some cute girls and great memories.
Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
Luke Austin thinks about his entire life before he goes on stage...
Could you tell us what you have planned for your show at Guilt & Company?
Well I've brought a live bear with me from the Rockies to wrestle on stage. And if someone brings some hockey sticks we can have a game of ball hockey after the game. - Gastown ORG
Luke Austin talks about his tour and up-coming album - CP 24
The Luke Austin Band cover the hit song, "Habits (Stay High)" by Tove Lo live in Toronto, Ontario at the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern -
Radio Interview - Blog Talk Radio
e all know this version…. It’s on the radio every 3rd song
The Luke Austin Band - Habits (Stay High) [Tove Lo Cover]
youtube.com / Via youtu.be
But have you heard a version quite like this?
Via Facebook: lukeaustinband
For more from The Luke Austin Band check out their Facebook - Buzzfeed
Discography
Demos and Old Tracks:
Dance The Night Away - Luke Austin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wk-e8r-e54
Let's Just Talk - Luke Austin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIEkxVHBNTo
Evil Men - Luke Austin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDISWu4sOO4
Life Goes On - Luke Austin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aUB1vybViw
Photos
Bio
Luke Austin found his way to the stage by way of a love of music and a desire to express himself. "I have always felt like I was best at manifesting my feelings and thoughts through writing songs," says the Toronto native.
Backed by longtime friends Kennedy Pollard, Bryan Swartz and Mike Ferguson, the singer/songwriter’s alternative sound is highlighted by hints of classic rock reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen and Kings of Leon.
"I write real songs for real people," explains Luke. "It's a shame these days to hear so little emotional connection from artists to the songs they are singing. That's one reason my goal as a writer and performer is to connect with people and to write songs that are honest and real.” A couple of heavy hitters on both sides of the border heard that in Luke’s music and were eager to help the young musician.
His first record in 2012 was produced by Grammy-nominated and five-time Juno Award winner Michael Hansen, who discovered Luke after a demo recording was passed along from some of Luke's friends to Hansen. Luke’s current record was produced in Nashville by Grammy Award-winner Vance Powell (Kings of Leon, Jack White), who is also an engineer from the world famous Sputnik Sound.
The first song off of the new project, “Long Road Home,” found immediate success with fans on streaming services such as Spotify and Rdio, where Luke was the third most streamed song in Canada, just trailing superstar acts Ed Sheeran and Trey Songz.
"The story behind 'Long Road Home' is an interesting one," says Luke. "I was on a cross-country train tour sponsored by VIA Rail Canada performing for the passengers. When I wasn't singing I was watching the landscape pass by to the beat of the wheels on the tracks and from that 'Long Road Home' was born.”
Luke is currently writing and recording new music while touring through the summer.
Band Members
Links
