Austin Jennings

Lots of exciting things happening with me and music in 2012! I’m working on my calendar right now and January is already full of great gigs. I will start keeping my calendar updated so those of you who need more advanced notice to make it out to a show will have a chance to plan.

I am proud to officially announce that I, Austin Jennings, am the newest member of the awesome band 12 MILES NORTH! If you haven’t heard them, 12 Miles North is well established and every member of the band is loaded with talent. They approached me with talks of broadening their sound and adding versatility. I am stoked to be a new addition to the band, and I am thankful the guys are putting their trust in me. We are very excited for some big things! Trust me… this band will be mind blowing!

I would really like to thank all of my family and friends who give me SO much support. You guys have no idea how much you’ve changed my life for the good. I’ve grown a lot in the past 2 years and am incredibly lucky to be able to entertain the people I love… for a living. This really is my dream job. You guys come to show after show…. you tell your friends about my music and insist they hear it.. you share my videos… I can’t tell you how much I appreciate every single one of you. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

Big things are going to happen in 2012! I hope you’re as ecstatic as I am! ♥

January dates:

01.05.2012 : Jefferson’s of Albertville
01.06.2012 : The Docks @ Goose Pond
01.07.2012 : Geno’s LIVE w/ 12 Miles North**
01.13.2012 : Buenavista in Scottsboro
01.14.2012 : Tammy’s Outback in Fayetteville, TN w/ 12 Miles North**
01.19.2012 : Jefferson’s of Albertville
01.20.2012 : Carson’s Grille in Hampton Cove
01.21.2012 : The Docks @ Goose Pond
01.27.2012 : Phi Kappa Sigma Gentleman Ball at UTC
01.28.2012 : Belvidere Market in Belvidere, TN w/ 12 Miles North**

Here is something I’m very excited about!  A few months ago I was invited into a studio session to share my vocals on a new tune by ST (StreetTeam).  ST is a hiphop duo from Huntsville, Alabama, with LOADS of talent and an incredible amount of love and passion for the art.

On Sunday, September 4th, a beautiful show happened in Huntsville. Myself, Sherea Harris, The 911 Reporters, and ST (StreetTeam) BLEW UP Focus Live (a venue in Huntsville) for ST’s new EP release party.  The positive energy in the building was nearly overwhelming and the music being created was beyond magic.  I, myself, couldn’t have had a better time.

One of the minds behind ST, Norman “Kwofi” Carrington, and I plan to work on a project together in the future and I’m super excited.  But for now… like I said… I’mma kick back.  When I feel fresh and ready, creativity will again flow, and new and FUN things will come.

Check out “Turbulence” by StreetTeam feat. Austin Jennings.

Check out photos from the studio session! 

In your job, relationships, hobbies, life, do you ever just need a little break?  Just to take a step back and sort of…. reset? You know… You’ve put so much energy in and if you don’t temporarily remove yourself you’re going to burn out and lose it all?

I play music because I  enjoy it.  Often I read/hear people saying “music is my life” and in some cases that is absolutely true… but not always.  When I say “music is my life..” its real talk.  Music is my hobby, my entertainment,  my livelihood.  Sometimes though, it FEELS like a job and that is OKAY.  I keep charging forward.

Since I’ve been performing I’ve had many amazing adventures and accomplished goals that I thought would take a lifetime.  I’ve had more (natural) euphoric experiences than a career raver who bleeds ecstasy pills.  I don’t ever plan to put it down and say “okay.. I’ve had enough.”

BUT… truth be told… right now I am tired. I’m in need of a little resting time. This doesn’t mean I am  going to quit my “day job” (night time gigs).. this just means I’m not writing.. promoting.. networking.. plugging.  I’m JUST “working.”

Maybe this isn’t something I should admit to my friends/fans. Maybe some people wouldn’t understand. Hopefully this wouldn’t discourage any possibilities from presenting themselves in the near future. But ya’ll know me.. I’m an open book.. so I’m spilling.  Hope you don’t mind.

Something has come over me lately and I’m almost embarrassed.

When I was 16 I loved campy pop music but as I grew more “mature” and embarked upon my journey as a musician my appreciation for what I describe as “synthetic” music  or superpop lessened. I am the guy who says “I don’t care how many albums that bitch sells…. the music is CRAP and isn’t worthy of such praise.”  I only like the organic stuff.

Here lately I find myself listening to that “crap” much more often, and enjoying it! What is happening? It scares me! Does this mean I’ll lose credibility as a singer/songwriter? And what is worse is I have major desires to work with one of these producers.

The talent in all of this comes from the producers. The singers usually have very little vocal ability (hence lip syncing when they “perform”), and there is little chance of any REAL instruments in these tracks. Its all programmed… everything from the drums to the major amount of processing and dubbing of the vocals. The producers are the stars here… not the “artist.”

Anyhow.. one thing I think is drawing me in is how much new pop is electro. There is almost no need for remixers because the songs are coming straight to the market as club music. Hard grungy synth, fast beats, deep bass, lots of pep. And DUBSTEP! I love dubstep! Its awesome! I have always been a fan of club music, especially with trance leads and QUALITY vocals. I stopped listening as much for a while but I really became hungry for new dance music when I heard “Take Over Control” by Afrojack.

So here I am… looking at PerezHilton.com and enjoying Britney Spears’ new song “Till the World Ends” which was co-written by Ke$ha. It almost makes me think the world is going to explode TODAY! I know there are a lot of Britney fans but she fits perfectly into the “synthetic” category.. and here I am listening to her new song over and over and over. I guess I’m in trouble…. OH WELL! Keep on dancing till the world ends!

Britney Spears - Till the World Ends

-A.

Getting exposure via Larry Flick on Sirius XM OutQ is fantastic. I’ve gotten many new fans/friends as well as some much needed validation. Other journalists are taking notice, as well! Below is an article written by Paul from MyFizzyPop.

“It would be lazy and poor penmanship to say that Sirius XM Search for LGBT Popstar winner Austin Jennings is like a male Adele. But it would be a good start and get you on the right sort of page (or at least within the right chapter) for what to expect. What is instantly clear with Austin is two things – firstly, he has an incredibly distinctive voice that draws you inextricably into whatever emotional tale he is spinning with his music. Secondly, you can absolutely and wholly tell that Austin grew up listening to classic pop, rich in melody and story telling. His astonishingly good single Damages casts a musical spell by weaving a shuffling beat together with strumming guitar, gutwrenching lyrics and the warm addition of resonant strings that provide added layer and depth to the tune. The middle 8 is a truly melodic feast as Austin firmly knits the tune together with the skill of a veteran that belies his young age. Definitely a worthy winner of the aforementioned contest, and like Adele an impressive talent for such a young age. Music that makes you want to give him a hug…” via MyFizzyPop

Check out MyFizzyPop for more articles on new music and music happenings! Thank you, Paul!

Welcome to the NEW AustinJennings.com!

Wow! What a tedious job it has been creating this wonderful new home for everything “Austin Jennings.” I have shouted my share of profane words and acted as obnoxious as humanly possible, but FINALLY have a site in working order. I’m never satisfied with the aesthetics when I do these type of things myself (if you pay any attention to my Twitter, you’ve probably already noticed my fickle characteristics.)

The new AustinJennings.com should be fully interactive, and I encourage you to utilize it! I am extremely excited to build a “community” of friends and fans through my website. Social networking sites are wonderful but nothing is better than a place to call my own, and I hope you’ll share it with me.

You’re probably asking “Austin, why should I frequent your website when I can get you on every other social outlet known to man?” My answer is: exclusive content. I have never been one to write a blog or keep people updated with more than 140 words, but I plan to embrace this wonderful new outlet. So… expect photos, blogs, videos, and other fantastically random things that I find interesting to be posted often.

I would like to thank Rosie Lopez for saving my domain from the other Austin Jennings people in the world, and Robert Kenmore for hosting my website as well as helping with the installation of WordPress. <3

Please feel free to comment and let me know what you think of my new “Official” website! Any suggestions are welcome!

Since I’m promising new content, here is a photo of me RIGHT NOW…. tired as hell and looking beat down.

"UGHHH"