Bio
Austin Brookner was born in New York City. He studied classical piano at The Manhattan School of Music and got a Master’s Degree in Economics from New York University. He has published short fiction, poetry and nonfiction in several print and digital publications. He was shortlisted for the 2016 Erbacce Poetry Prize. Those he has made records with as a singer-songwriter include Marc Ribot, Lenny Kaye, Tony Garnier, and Nick Tosches. His song “Big Girls Dance Better” was a finalist in the 2019 Great American Song Contest for the Pop Genre. His records have been internationally played, including radio stations in Marfa,TX, New Orleans, LA, Jersey City, NJ and London, UK. He lives in what used to be New York City.
“If Austin Brookner had come from New Orleans, his name would be Dr. John.” - Kinky Friedman
Bill Bentley's (former A&R Director for Vanguard Records) Review for AUTOHAGIOGRAPHY :
"Brookner is a no-frills singer, someone who burrows deep into the center of the song's universe and stays there. With just bass and drums behind him and his guitar, the man shapes everything through the lens of someone who is equally at home on a bus bench as a bandstand. The time is right for a musician of this bent, considering so much falseness has invaded the national consciousness and it's hard to tell where the bottom is. One listen to "After I Get Rid of Everybody (And You Get Rid of Me)" sets things right, and it's all up, or down depending on location and gravity, from there. Even with an album title that calls for use of a dictionary to discover its meaning, Austin Brookner isn't afraid to walk the line..." Click here for rest of review
"Get ready to meet your new favorite Richmond singer/songwriter" - RVA Magazine, Richmond, VA. http://rvamag.com/articles/full/15814/sounds-of-rva-presents-on-the-horizon-18
"A newcomer to the Richmond singer/songwriter scene by way of New York...His first studio album, “Indie Go Away,” was recorded last year with guitarist Marc Ribot." - RVA Playlist http://rvaplaylist.com/2012/08/08/please-welcome-austin-thomas/
Finalist for 2020 Great American Song Contest, Pop Genre: https://www.greatamericansong.com/honorary.php