Bio

BIO

"If Austin Brookner had come from New Orleans, his name would be Dr. John." - Kinky Friedman

Austin Brookner is a prolific singer-songwriter and composer from New York City.  He has collaborated on his own records with legendary New York City figures such as writer Nick Tosches, guitarist Lenny Kaye (of The Patti Smith Group) and world-renowned guitarist Marc Ribot.   Other notable musicians who have performed on Brookner's records include Tony Garnier, James Sclavunos (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds), Anton Fier, Cassie Ramone (Vivian Girls), Ira Raibon (Earth, Wind and Fire), Anthony Coleman and Chris Cochrane.

In a relatively short amount of time, Brookner has released over a dozen albums, singles and EPs.  He has also composed music for the stage, film, TV and commercials, including Sesame Street's "Foley & Friends."  Brookner’s song “Big Girls Dance Better” - recorded with James Chance’s backing band, The Contortions, - was a finalist in the 2020 Great American Song Contest.  His album Ghost Tongue finished the year of 2023 charted at number 20 in the Roots Music Report Pop Album genre.

He is also a published writer of fiction, non-fiction journalism, and poetry.  Brookner has a background in classical piano, where he studied piano and music theory at The Manhattan School of Music and Vassar College.  

He resides in Brooklyn, NY.