Live at home

Sally Poehland
GEELONG singer songwriter Austin is returning home to perform songs from his new EP Live in Fitzroy.
“I’m really looking forward to playing in my home town,” Austin says ahead of a performance at the Nash on November 10.
“I have lots of family and friends down that way, so it should be a great gig.”
Austin moved to Melbourne about a year ago to gain greater exposure to live audiences.
“Gigs in Geelong were limited,” he says.
“I used to play at the Nash and Limelight, as well as a few coastal gigs at Torquay and Barwon Heads, but decided to move to Melbourne as there are more opportunities there,” he says.
Austin has broken into the blues and roots scene in a big way, taking an individual approach combining acoustic and lap guitars, drums, double bass and violin.
Combined with soulful vocals, Austin demonstrates a versatility of styles from blues ballads to gypsy reggae.
After recording the EP at a show at Fitzroy’s Evelyn Hotel in August, Austin has spent the last couple of months getting ready for its release.
Recorded by Jimi Maroudas with the full Austin band, Live In Fitzroy features Anthony Shorty Murray on drums, Luke Richardson on upright bass, Indiana Avent on violin and Austin on guitars, harmonica and vocals.
The five-track EP is an eclectic mix of original tunes drawing from blues and gypsy jazz traditions with Austin’s vocals over the top.
Austin says most of the tracks have a strong blues influence.