austin and the powers
When I now think of Austin Powers, I don’t think of Mike Myers and his “Groovy, baby, yeah!”
Instead, I think of 3 guys from PA…
Don’t know what I’m talking about?
Well, let me introduce you to Austin and the Powers — an upbeat and sort of summer-in-a-bottle band made up of three great friends on the road to stardom.
I found these funky guys on TikTok, with their catchy tune called Nexus (Is It Over) and as an aficionado of all things that create frisson, these dudes took the cake.
They made me want to dance around, sing, and party with them! Their light-hearted and fun melodies fuse an energy you just want in your life.
I went on to digest their latest album “Big Brain, Empty Thoughts” and caught myself wondering, “Do these boys ever get sad?” …in a totally good way! The songs on the album are cheery and positively busting out of the seams of what should be in your favorite rom-com!
Before we get into the album, I reached out to the band hoping they would find it in their hearts to answer some questions to include in this piece and they so graciously accepted and answered my questions!
: Can you tell us your names and what you play?
Austin Eisner (vocals/guitar) Colin Fausnaught (bass) and Nick Winter (drums)
: How old are you guys?
28, 28, 34
: How did you guys get together?
Austin was previously friends with both Nick and Colin separately and decided to ask them to start a band!
: Who writes the songs? Is it a collaboration?
Austin usually writes a rough draft of a song and then the whole band collaborates to turn it into the final song.
: Where are you all from?
We're all from Williamsport PA!
: How did you find your sound?
We were lucky enough to find our sound quickly. We just jammed for hours a day and ended up with our sound by the time we were ready to record!
: Who are some of your influences?
The Cure, Wallows, Panic! at the Disco, Two Door Cinema Club, Peach Pit, and many others!
: What is your dream stage or festival to play? Madison Square Garden? Coachella? Lollapalooza? Glastonbury?
We would honestly be thrilled to play at any summer music festival. The vibes are so good!
: Who would you love to open for or tour with?
Opening for Peach Pit or Wallows would be incredible!
: Any story or something you would like your fans to know about you guys?
One time Five Guys featured us on one of their Spotify playlists and it was honestly one of the highlights of our lives. Other than that, just stick around because we're playing some shows soon and we're working on new music!
You heard it here!
These dudes are on their way!
I am so grateful they were kind enough to answer these questions for us but now into the music we go!
Before we get to the Powers, I’d like to take a moment to talk about the band’s frontman, Austin.
As I listened to their album, and other singles released, Austin’s voice paired with his dynamic and punchy guitar playing, set the tone for this band. Especially when it comes to his voice — I found it unique yet with a hint of another familiar vocalist.
It’s funny and accurate that one of the band’s influences is Panic! because it dawned on me whilst “Heads Up” was playing that his voice resembled that of Brendan Urie, Panic!’s frontman, in case you live under a rock!
It was so clear, the resemblance, but I appreciate the fact that although the voices are similar, the sound however isn’t.
Enter, the Powers, bassist, Colin and drums, Nick.
Throughout the album, I caught myself marveling at the sweet rhythmical and melodic elements their bassist brought to the table.
In their song “For You” where you start to hear a darker undertone, the bass opens with the light guitar strumming and crooning “For you’s” and then Nick on the drums breaks through leading that crescendo…chef’s kiss, and all in less than 20 seconds!
Throughout the album, there were themes of 80’s weird science vibes in Textbook Fantasy and romantic, “Blue Moon” by The Marcels feels, that make you want to dance in your room while singing into a hairbrush in Pink Sky.
The complete album is pure fun and love.
10 out of 10, I recommend anyone to give them a listen.
We will soon be seeing them everywhere — be a part of the “I knew them before” crowd and check them out!
@AustinandthePowers on IG, FB and TikTok
See them Live in :
NY 02/16
PA 04/07
-Gina, frissonbyplay
