Austin Giorgio talks music, tour and books

The Unseen met Austin Giorgio, a charismatic singer from the US, earlier last month to talk all about his love for books, his music, and his upcoming Europe tour. Austin first became known for his success on the American TV show The Voice, and he has become a sensation on Booktok. His powerful lyrics and deep voice, paired with electrifying beats, have not only caught readers but fans all around the world. Take a listen to his most popular EP, "You've Put a Spell on Me," and his recent release, "Against Me," with Scout Speer.

Mäx: So Austin, thank you for being here.

For those of our readers who may not know you, can you maybe quickly describe how you, yourself, see your music?

Austin: Well, first of all, thank you for having me on here. I really appreciate it. I guess I like making very cinematic type pop music, you know, somethingay the vision in your head, which honestly, I think that's why it works so well with, like reading and building up the anticipation of an that you can of a moment. 

Mäx: Yeah, I mean, since your time of The Voice, and I think it's in 2018, right? Your music kind of evolved, I think. So you had a start for more jazzy kind of songs, especially like She's an Actor or You Put a Spell on Me changed that, I would say. And also, recent songs like Dangerous Hands, No Mercy or Chokehold, I would say, have a different kind of vibe.

Can you talk about the reason why your music changed like that? 

Austin: Yeah, so when I first, I first got into music in 2017, my dad sang in the jazz band. And so I grew up listening to like a lot of old like Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, a lot of that type of jazz. And so that's what I always loved. I loved antiques. And The Voice happened by fluke. It's a kind of long story, but to make it short, went to Philly. I went through auditions - my mom, signed me up. And, I just, I couldn't believe they kept letting me through. I was like, I don't sing. I don't know why incredible singers. And, it took me a while to realize, oh, maybe I should be singing and not like selling antiques. And, so that's how it started is jazz music. That's where i've always kind of grown up listening to that and other genres, but that was predominant. And then, um, over the past few years, it's just been, I feel like any artist, whether it's, you know, painting, music, whatever the form of the creative is, it was just kind of started to evolve. And I started to try to find my own sound of, you know, how do I, how do I capture the things that I love of jazz, which is that classiness, that chest out, but not in like a jerky way, if that makes sense. But also the romance of it. And obviously there's,michael buble's that i love growing up and that are very straightforward romance. And then, as you know, I'm sure you can understand this, like, in our our age like there's so many other shades to romance that, like, I think. Some of the, the, the deepest ones are the ones that aren't talked about are kind of behind the door and um you know good bad or indifferent so i've been evolving. Into that sound and then obviously book talk a few years ago. That's where i learned a lot about. um, these books that it's so funny because, sorry, I'm rambling.

Mäx: no, all good.

Austin: It's so funny because I was making this music and now I actually sound like a freak almost because I was making this music. I loved it. I was like, God, this shit's so hot. I love this. And then I learned about some of these books. I'm like, what are these books? And I had no hobbies. Like I was constantly making music full time, 24 seven. Um, And it was the first hobby I've had now since like when I was like a young teen. And so now I've read, you know, dozens of books and they're just, it's just mind blowing. That's, that's mind blowing how authors can write those stories. So anyways, that's kind of how that music got looped into BookTok. They kind of like kidnapped me in a sense.

Would you say music is the art form you like the most then? And maybe also how does your songwriting process kind of come about? Can you give fans a little bit inside about your inspiration as well?

Austin: Yeah, I would definitely say music is the main thing. I do still, I can't paint. I cannot draw. I have tried those. I do like poetry. I feel like that's similar to music, but i don't know if i could ever write a book, maybe, but that is, that's beyond talent. That's like skill. That's like, uh, that's a lot of learned hours on how to write. Um, but yeah, so music is the first one. And then, um, I'm sorry, was there a back half a question to that um what no i think it, I, oh yeah, yeah. It's just about your inspiration, really. If you have any inspiration in your life, maybe that continues to that. to the songwriting? I mean it's personal experiences. It's also like friends that like share stories and then um some of them, some of them can pull elements from like if I'm reading at the time, like just naturally it'll pull into sessions. You know, I'll go to a if go to a writing session and we're like we're creating a song, you know. Naturally, if I was just reading, I don't know, A Court of Mist and Fury, like any book, whatever I was reading recently, probably is gonna have some influence just because it's it's so rich in context, you know, like i don't even know how to explain it - it's just you know...

Mäx: I totally understand as a reader myself; you know it just fixates you in a bit, so it's kind of funny as well because my next question to that is similar: because, Chokehold, the song of yours, mentions the book figure, Zade Meadows (male book character in Hauting Adeline), in a way.

So, have you read Haunting Adeline just before the song, or during that songwriting process, or what made you incorporate this little bookish easter egg?

Austin: You're gonna love this. I, so, I read haunting and haunting Adeline, I think, a year ago. or a year and a half ago. And it was the first book. That was the very first book I've ever read from BookTok. Yeah. I was like, what is this? People are like, you're going to one of the heaviest. I'm like, I don't know how heavy it could be. And then I was like, wow, this is crazy. And I loved it. And I read Hunting, and then I read Does It Hurt? I love H.D. Carlton's writing. Actually, tomorrow, October 20th, so you'll hit it before I will, But I've been saving Where's Molly, her new book, because it starts off saying October 20th, like, seven years ago or 15 years ago. So I figured I'll start it tomorrow. But I did read it. The story behind Chokehold is back, I think it was in, like, January or February. I was just having fun one night and just, like, responding to comments with quick songs. Like, I probably made five. One of them was Chokehold.

And it started off not in a serious way. Like it was someone left a comment. I'd have to go back and find it. Something about Haunting Adeline. And I was like, oh, I'll just make a song and be like, yeah, I'll be your Zade. And, you know, like obviously not because, you know, we know it's Zade. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then people just kept asking. I'm like, oh, my God, I didn't plan to finish this thing. Like I only wrote 20 seconds of a song. and um that's how she's an actor it happened too it just started as a snippet and then there was like a lot of pressure to finish it. So yeah that took a life of its own that one.

How long does writing a song for you usually take?

Austin: I don't know, I mean, of course, you know, timewise, it is so different... I think the fastest one I've written would be Chokehold. The whole song was finished, and probably, once I decided, oh, I should finish this thing, it was probably done in like 24 hours, but then I sat on it for months because I'm like, I'm not going to release this. Because to me, it wasn't that musical. It was just a hip-hop beat that just repeated over and over, and I was like, alright, I have to release this. People will not leave me alone. So, I went back to the writing. I'm like, all right, these lyrics are not it - they're weak, I can do better, and so that's when I pulled in more, I knew who wanted this song, so I'm like I'd like to put as much in there without being like cheesy in a sense because that's a tough balance to do. So I'm happy with how it turned out because, originally, I did not like the first version of it.

Are you still amazed by your 1.1 million followers on TikTok and the great success on the platform? Because, I mean, it's probably overwhelming, right?

Austin: I mean, yeah. Yeah, well, I think the thing I'd say most is I'm just, like, appreciative of it. Like, people taking their time to just watch stuff, you know, um, because there's so much, there's so much better things that people could be watching, probably things that help them. Maybe the music does help them, but yeah, I mean, I'm just grateful that people just take the time to listen to music, share it and that they enjoy it, you know.

It's kind of like I have to imagine authors feel this way or really any creative that makes anything of you get so excited making music or making whatever it is and it's a story and showing your friends and watching their reactions like oh my god they love it too, sweet! But then the moment you put it into the world, it's like you just kind of lose it, like you still love it, but you can never keep that same feeling because it doesn't belong to you anymore, like people have their own thing to say about it they use it how they want. So going back, yeah, I do understand how lucky I am!

With your fan base, especially in the booktok community: Why and how do you think this came all about? I mean, I think probably a lot of fans you have started from The Voice as well, but why do you think now it's such a strong fan base with this reader community? Like, how do you think it started?

Austin: Well, you know, what's interesting is that I definitely still have some fans from The Voice, but it is very minuscule. And those types of fans from the get-go, I'll always make sure if I can - no, I will make sure that they are taken care of when they come to shows or everything, just for them being a fan! I think it's a testament to being a fan of what I'm doing because my music was so different. So when I made the switch, a lot of that audience was like, 'whoa, whoa, whoa, this is very different than what I'm used to. He's not singing other people's songs anymore.'

And then, in regards to booktok, I don't know if I have the answer to why specifically. If I had to make an assumption, I think there are just shared values. Like, the things at least I like might align with some readers. And, you know, also growing up, I'm lucky enough to have grown up with a sister in a healthy situation with my family. And I think the context of the music I make could be a slippery slope for somebody if, if you don't have the right insight on it. Yeah. You know what I'm saying?

Mäx: I totally understand what you mean.

Austin: I mean, it's kind of like a balance, right?

Mäx: I mean, it's also if you read (those dark romance books) and if you hear it, it's kind of the similar thing, right? You kind of have to understand it's more like fiction and not what you should have in a real-life relationship.

Austin: Yeah, there's a quote, I forget who said it, but there's nothing wrong with being a gentleman and knowing when not to be a gentleman, but there's also, like, respect and not being an asshole. Oh can I swear?

Mäx: Yeah, go ahead. *Chuckles*

Austin: Which, you know, and I'll say this, the last book I was reading, and I think she did fantastic writing it and I could totally understand why people love it. I did like it more towards the end, but it was a tough one for me to get into because the character was the ritual. And I get it. There's a lot of love there, and I'm not knocking it. I think it was a very great read, like how it was written. I just, in regards to Ryat, as a guy reading it, I was like, Zade was one thing. It's like, all right, he's got his problems, but he seems decent like he has good morals. Whereas Ryat was just an ass. I'm like, I would not hang with this guy. Like he's just cocky. He's not a good dude, but regardless, that's just my perspective.

Maxine: No, I totally understand what you mean. I think it's funny because I've read some of your Fans' comments before doing this, and People were like, 'Read the ritual.' As I've read it myself, I think it's kind of what you said, like the fictional male character itself isn't that morally great in comparison to some others. But still, I don't know, the story really sucked you in. But yeah, that's that.

So is this the last book you've read?

Austin: Now I'm starting now Where's Molly?. I was gonna read Credence, which I know is some crazy something with an uncle or something. But this one, I just want to read it because H.D. Carlton - I really do love H.D. Carlton's writing. And it's just it's perfect for this time of year. You know, I mean, the book starts on October 20th!

Mäx: So it'll be perfect for tomorrow!

Do you have any book you recommend for your fans that some may not have read yet, and what's the general favorite book you've ever read?

Austin: I would say a friend of mine, Jordan A. Day. There are so many great books, truly, and I think I don't say this book is better than any other one. I just I'm saying this mostly because this is somebody I got to meet in the early booktok days. And her writing is fantastic. And I might be saying it backward. But the book is called a ripple of promise or power. But that was a fantastic book! And I read that before I read - I'm going to say it wrong - ACOTAR (A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas). I read that before that series, so that was my first fictional book. And I thought that was really, that was, to me, like CGI of music, or of the book space. It was like, wow, this is super creative. And I didn't know what the heck a fae was or any of that stuff. It was a learning curve. But i would recommend that, that was great.

What about your favorite Book ?

Austin: I feel like I have to just stay consistent and say Haunting, only because it was the first. And it was such a great read. Like, it wasn't like, all right, that was all right. What else is there? Like, it was a great way to get introduced. Definitely not for everybody. Because it does have some pretty sensitive, we don't have to talk about, but you know, sensitive stuff. So you should be conscious of whatever your historical context background is.

Mäx: Yeah, it's not for, I would say, the regular reader of romance.

Maybe let's get back a little bit to your music. You really recently just dropped your great new duet called 'Against Me' with the talented Scout Speer. How did that collab come about, and can you talk a little bit about the initial song idea behind it?

Austin: Yeah, first off, Scout is incredible. I met Scout about a year and a half ago. So I live in Nashville/ Tennessee, and there is a lot of pop music here, but it obviously is predominantly country music. I'm here also because my management/label service company is called Interstate Music. A friend of mine was hosting this night where a bunch of writers come in, and you sing your songs. And I was a part of it; It was a fun night! And Scout was playing. And I remember telling my friend Jeff, I'm like, you know, she's really incredible. I think she could really do well in the pop space, and she's like so meek. She's a sweetheart of a girl, and so that was the first introduction, and then maybe, I don't know, five/six months later, I'm in writing sessions helping her write some songs. He's starting to develop her as an artist. And we get in a room with my two producers and with Scout, and we're writing a song for her. And she's like 'you know, I want a song, that's got that dark feel. Like, this is why I think you would be great at this'. I'm like, yeah, let's do it.

And, you know, normally I'm writing these songs like, you know, at 11 o'clock at night or 1 in the morning. We're writing this at like 10 in the morning. Birds are chirping like this is unusual to write a song like this in the daytime and with everyone in this room here. So, anyway, the song came to be, and it was fantastic. I was like, wow, is really good! I couldn't stop listening to the little quick recording we made that day for a few weeks. And then I texted Scott. I'm like, hey, if you ever want somebody on this, I would be happy to, and I'd be happy to share you to the world and help others learn about you. And she said, yes. And I was like, oh, my God, thank you so much. I love this song. And so that's what this is. So this is a code for this really good Scout. And I want people to learn how incredible she is. I love the song. And again, that's like a song that can be pulled from personal other people in the room's experiences.

And then we'll have a new single. We'll probably start teasing it next week, which I'm really excited about. We teased three songs on Instagram to see which one to release, and we finally figured out which one it's going to be.

Mäx: Yeah, I'm really excited for it! I think it's a great song that you guys released, so congrats on that. And I think fans will love the upcoming one, too.

So maybe if we look at your upcoming tour as well: What is something that you look forward to for your upcoming tour? Can you maybe give fans a little tease about what they can look forward to? Maybe songs and other things.

Austin: The tour. Yeah, so we're going overseas next month. This will be my first time ever in Germany. And in London, which I'm really excited about. So I'll have all my guys with me. We're going to do Frankfurt. Am I saying that correctly?

Mäx: Yeah, Frankfurt, we would say that.

Austin: Wait, how do you say it? Frankfurt. (*tried to prounounce it*)

Mäx: Yeah, that's correct!

Austin: Well, my drummer, he was born and raised in Germany for many, I think like 20-something years. Yeah. And so he... he's based up like most of my band up in New York City. And, we'll be flying out. So I get to bring him home. So, we'll have him back in the stomping grounds so I'm super excited about that. We'll be playing some new songs. We'll play Against me as well as this new single coming out. And then we might sing a couple of new ones because we will have an album coming out in the first quarter of next year. And then probably like a 20 to 30 city date tour in the US and then we'll go back overseas probably in the fall next year.

Are you staying in Germany for like a couple of days so you can see the country or in London as well? Or is it more like a quick stopover?

Austin: No, we will. So we're going to fly in on the 16th. So we'll have most of the day on the 16th there, most of the day on the 17th, then the show. And then the next day, the 18th, I think we're going right to Berlin. And then we're going to hang out in Berlin for most of the day. And then the next day is the show. And then we fly out at like 6 in the morning to London to catch our 2 p.m. flight out of London back to the States.

Mäx: I mean, hopefully you'll see some cool things as well on the way!

From all your songs, what is your general favorite to perform live and why?

Austin: I feel like it's a tie. Until I started seeing these new ones. Some of these new songs coming out are my absolute favorite songs I've ever done - so those will be them. But as of right now, I think it's tied between Dangerous Hands and a song called Gracie. Two very different vibes. They have completely different styles. I like Dangerous Hands because it gets chaotic. Everyone there knows that song and it's fun. And I haven't gotten sick of it, surprisingly. I like Gracie because of the story. and it's a little bit more loose and I can have some like vocal acrobatics in it and I can like really sing on it. Whereas some of the other ones are just kind of like, yeah.

Mäx: I mean, I'm eager to see if that's gonna stay that way after the tour or if you then have another favorite, maybe because of crowd reactions or something...

Mäx: Maybe before we close this, we have an artist recommendation playlist from the Unseen magazine. And we always ask our artists, what is your favorite music? Can you name a few artists or songs that you would love to put on this playlist?

Austin: What is the vibe of the playlist?

Mäx: I mean everything really, it's really just the favorite songs of the artists we interview.

Austin: Okay, maybe I'll do small artists that are up and coming and then one of my all-time favorite songs. One of my all-time favorite songs would be Days of Wine and Roses by Frank Sinatra. And then another one, let me just think of like, oh my god, let me think. Oh man, there's so many. This is one of those questions like, what's your favorite movie? It's like, I've never seen a movie in my life, and you've seen all the movies. I know there's this country kid in town. I just love his music. You gotta like country, but he has a song called Evergreen. His name is Dipper. I do love that song. You know, that one is like a little guilty pleasure of mine.

Mäx: Thank you for answering all these questions and taking the time as well. We're happy to have you on here and see you soon playing on tour.  

Austin: Well, thank you so much, Maxine, for taking the time. I'm really looking forward to seeing you at the show.

LISTEN TO AUSTIN'S FAVES ON THE UNSEEN SPOTIFY HERE:

Let us know in the comments on our socials if you liked the Interview & if you'll catch him on his tour in the upcoming weeks!