Austin Archer is a freelance artist for hire in Los Angeles, CA. With more than 20 years professional experience as an actor, singer-songwriter, dicrector/choreographer, and script writer, Archer boasts a breadth of expertise in a wide variety of forms.
Please list all band members.
I play all the instruments and do all the vocals and production. Chris Bjornn is my audio engineer who mixes and masters all of my tracks.
What bands were we a part of prior? How long has the band been around?
Chris and I are in two projects together, one is a folk rock duo called Us Thieves and the other is an electronic 80’s synth pop duo called BOSS TV. I also have a project with Whit Hertford called Natural History, which is an extra folk version of my typical solo stuff. I’ve been writing solo music as Austin Archer since I was 15 (I’m 32 now).
What is the origin of the name?
It’s the name my parents gave me. I’ve considered using a stage name for my solo music or putting it under a title a la Kevin Parker with Tame Impala. But I like my name.
Who writes the songs? What are the themes and will they change?
I write all of my own songs. The themes have changed over the years and I think they will continue to change. I used to write very self deprecating songs about self doubt, depression, imposter’s syndrome, and fear. I got sober two years ago and I’ve since been writing a lot of songs about rejuvenation and rebirth. I’m trying to write songs about love. Songs about the beautiful things in life. I’m trying to give things a positive spin. For instance, I talk a bit about death and grief on my latest album because my best friend died while I was in the middle of making it.
Five years ago that event would’ve spurned some really dark lyrics, but I think the version of the song I wrote now is much lighter and full of love and hope than it would’ve been if he’d died a few years earlier. I imagine the themes will keep aging right along with me. I’m usually writing about what’s happening in my life at the specific time I sit down to write.
Who is currently inspiring my music?
So many good artists making exciting music right now. Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, HAIM, Lucius, Whitney, Andy Shauf, Declan McKenna, Vampire Weekend, Father John Misty, and Tame Impala to name just a few.
Who inspired me to start?
I’ve always been a sucker for excellent singer-songwriters and the way they tell stories. I was a massive Ben Folds and Elliot Smith fan as a kid. I’d listen to their records and just dream about writing something that makes someone feel the way they made me feel. And to be honest, my longtime music partner Chris Bjornn was the first person I knew who made it seem possible.
He was such an accomplished writer with such a mature voice by the time he was 16. It really gave me a realistic goal to shoot for. Look him up, the guy has released like 20 records over the last 15 years or so. He’s an insanely prolific writer.
What do you do to prepare for a show?
I probably shouldn’t say this in an interview, but I’ve never played a show where I didn’t mess up at least once in a noticeable way. So I go through my set as many times as I possibly can and then I do a lot of meditation about just accepting whatever happens out there and trying to be present and enjoy the process. I still mess up, but I don’t mind it as much as I used to. I’m able to roll with it a bit better and enjoy myself more.
What has been the biggest highlight so far?
Honestly I think I’m living through it. It just keeps getting better and better for me from my point of view. But if I had to pick something from the past I’d say the 2017 release of my record COREY FELDMAN. I was able to get a response from that that I hadn’t yet received for my solo work up until that point and it really felt like an important milestone had been reached where I really came into my own as a songwriter and a producer. The record had a clear theme and concept and felt interesting and experimental and raw. It had a really unique energy that I’m still very proud of.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
I’d love to tour with Slow Club from the UK, I think they’re one of the most underrated bands in the world to be perfectly honest. I’d love to tour with Ben Folds, and yeah, if it were possible, touring with a healthy Elliott Smith, maybe in a stretch where he was clean, would be a real special kind of trip. Also I think Regina Spektor would make for a really fun tour mate for some reason.
Anything else to add?
Listen to the singles, for sure, but I design my records to be heard from start to finish in their entirety. I really think if you want to get the full scope of what it is I’m trying to do as a singer songwriter you have to listen to the full record. So check that out when it hits streaming platforms on September 25th!
https://www.austin-archer.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1bGyeGTNix3WU7uqfprmPA?si=9zsCPEntTFe7HciEDUqVqQ