We recently connected with Matt Austin and have shared our conversation below.
Matt, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
The best method I’ve found consists of several parts. Number one is being active in the scene. Going to see other musicians live or simply following them on social media to see where they are going and what they are doing. Watching a group or an individual going and doing the things I want to do or playing the venues I want to play is great motivation to keep driving for those goals. The second thing would be consistently spending time with my instrument and writing songs. Something about the idea of learning something new or writing something new and being able to share it with people that enjoy it and appreciate it really helps keep the gears turning. The third thing would be always trying to listen to new music. Hearing others projects that they poured their creativity and ideas into really helps to keep me on track with my own ideas.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Matt Austin is a genuine Texas singer-songwriter proud of his rugged small town Texas heritage and driven by a love for bringing live music and people together. Matt has his own unique vibe and brand as an artist with a traditional country feel. He brings a lively and very interactive stage presence that the crowd really gets in to. Matt brings a huge range of music performance to the party singing some of the classics people love from the country greats to new Texas country favorites to 90’s covers in his own style as well as his own quality original music. Brought up in West Texas and raised in the country, Matt’s influences range from Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Led Zeppelin. This Texas musician has a sound that is uniquely his own. Matt Austin has opened for many major label Texas music acts such as William Clark Green, Rich O’ Toole, Charlie Robison, Zac Wilkerson and more.
Matt Austin’s reputation as a stage performer is catching like a Texas brush fire in a July drought. He is talented and he is everywhere. Follow on social media and get to a show and experience for yourself why Matt Austin is an artist to watch. Also, look for new Matt Austin originals coming soon!!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Confidence in yourself is the most important thing to me. Without it I wouldn’t be able to perform in front of crowds or hold conversations. It also helps with decision making and following through with those decisions. Regardless of the outcome, I know that I made those decisions without questioning myself. Forgiveness is also a part of that. If you make a choice and it turns out to be the wrong one, you have to be able to forgive yourself and keep moving forward. Otherwise you get stuck or even worse, backtrack. Lastly I would say being the most genuine version of myself is a key element. Trying to be something you’re not can only ultimately backfire and potentially make things worse. Just be honest and straightforward.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
“I Never Met a Story I Didn’t Like” by Todd Snider. Snider is one of my favorite songwriters/storytellers of all time and his book painted a vivid picture of his story from where he started to where he is now. One of my favorite quotes is:
“ A bad review is a good review. The worst review they can give you is no review at all, and that’s the one they give almost everybody.”
The entire book is a witty almost conversation with him but he’s doing all the talking. It’s a very fun read with a lot of useful information for someone in my position. At least in my own opinion.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mattaustintxmusic.com
- Instagram: @mattaustin_music
- Facebook: Facebook.com/mattaustintxmusic
- Other: Spotify Page : https://open.spotify.com/artist/18ONqY1fXKbgcjgp2I9CCr?si=EzuwXSdeTtKPiZsMoBMKsg
Image Credits
Grace Hamm https://www.instagram.com/grace_hamm?igsh=N3FoYzh3ZWY0M2Jy
