Contact CU Independent News Staff Writer Sydney Worth at sydney.worth@colorado.edu.
Jeff Austin and his eponymous, mandolin-wielding band will perform at the Bluebird Theater in Denver on Feb. 12 and 13. The sound of his own mandolin playing mixed with his fellow band members’ contributions creates a driving bluegrass sound with inescapable plucking rhythms.
Formerly of the Yonder Mountain String Band, Austin broke off to pursue his own music and he isn’t looking back. For this bluegrass musician, music has molded much of his life, and he continues to let it guide him.
Austin grew up during the ’80s, but found musical influences from all over the spectrum — synth pop, hairbands and classical, to name a few. Mix all of these genres together and you get a perfect musical cocktail. Austin credits his well-rounded view of music to this mixology.
“It was all stuff that I identified with,” Austin said. “If you have an emotional connection with [the music], then it will really make an emotional imprint.”
His love for music eventually brought him to Colorado all the way from his hometown in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The bluegrass scene was especially exciting for Austin, who embraced Colorado’s rich acoustic scene. He’s made his home here for the past 18 years.
His Denver show will be a time for him to continue what he likes to refer to as a conversation between him and his fans. Austin doesn’t take this valuable connection with his audience lightly.
“I want them to come and we trade this energy experience back and forth,” Austin said.
He refers to his relationship with his fans as something of a circular system. The band puts out the music with hopes that it’s well received by the fans, so that the positive vibes are reciprocated.
Austin said the ultimate goal for this tour is to “connect deeper as a band and connect with the audience. Keep the conversation moving forward.”
Join the conversation on Feb. 12 and 13 at 8 p.m. at the Bluebird Theater. Tickets can be found here.
You can find more information about Jeff Austin on his Facebook page or on his website.
