About Me
A winning tenor voice arcs into a transcendent falsetto; lyrical authenticity and melodic simplicity are framed in effortless arrangements. Remarkably, with his new release, “Real,” Austin Marolla illuminates an unfolding path of discovery and destiny. Within the grandiose sounds of “Real” Austin mixes classical strings with eclectic guitar pop melodies. The introduction to this musical sojourn, the first track “Closer To You” is already making it’s way around local and international radio. His sound has been described as everything from Radiohead’s Thom Yorke to John Mayer to yesterdays Cat Stevens. It’s tempting to make comparisons but he’s much more than a carbon copy. In fact, he’s anything but. Influenced by pop, folk, rock, and classical-his writing is bold, honest, and edgy. Intelligent lyrics and melodies delivered courtesy of a truly soulful and powerful voice. Austin’s music is something that definitely sets him apart.
Austin possesses considerable credentials as a singer/songwriter and as a performing artist. A graduate of Binghamton University (SUNY), minoring in music/theater, he has performed in Broadway shows and musicals on stages from his hometown, New York City, across the U.S. to Italy, France and Spain. Austin spent the last 6 years in NYC developing his skills as a songwriter, performer and guitarist. Now back after his studio recording time, audiences are finally experiencing Austin by hundreds of people at a time.
With his first CD, “You & Me,” he is writing his own script in song, with lyrical passages that trace an emotional terrain both complex and multifaceted. A theme of self-acceptance and the influence of his father, an Italian immigrant, both underscore “Be Your Own Hero,” while a pair of songs, “All for You,” and “Time Traveler,” bookend the beginning and elegiac conclusion of a relationship. He explains, “Life can be hard. You can put yourself in a pool of despair and write about that, but that’s a heavy song to sing. I’ve surrounded myself with loving and beautiful people and my music reflects that.” The title track, “You & Me,” extends a joyous invitation of union and the gentle poetic promise of “I’m Gonna Love You,” echoes this theme. Between the lines of “You Found Me,” the protagonist finds salvation through love.
Now with the release of “Real,” his second full length album. He crosses new territory with songs from the pop, rock & folk genre all topped with classical strings and soaring melodies. Love is the major theme throughout “Real” and includes a duet featuring Sloan Wainwright, called “Dance With You.” Austin says, “It’s a sweet wedding song about finally proposing through the metaphor of dancing.” “Leap of Faith” takes us on an inspirational journey with vibrant violins and violas to match the rich and fullness of Austin’s vocal soul. While the Pop track of “Today” yearns a triumphant day filled with Carpe Diem, the track “Moving On” beckons with an angelic marching call to rise above and keep moving on. In the more singer/songwriter/folk songs of “Real” and “Forgiveness,” Austin’s various finger picking styling’s are showcased and are reminiscent of the classic heartfelt sounds of Stevie Nicks and John Mayer. In the rock ballad “Breathe With Me” opposites collide to create simple harmony. Hawaiian slack key guitar & ukulele back Austin’s beautiful “Lullaby” which is sure to become children and parents go-to song for bedtime. The final track is a cover of the late Dan Fogelberg’s “Leader of the Band” stripped down to honor the great songwriter as well as a tribute to his own late father.
Key to Austin’s emergence as a songwriter and solo performer were intensive guitar studies with two-time Grammy award winning slack key guitarist Jeff Peterson in Hawaii and Valerie MacKend in New York. While attending Summer Songs Songwriters Camp, he met Sloan Wainwright, scion of the legendary musical family. Since then they have become a great songwriting team and have written many songs together including five tracks on “Real.” “I think we meet people for a reason,” Austin notes, “there are no coincidences.”
And realizing his own dreams through music reveals Austin’s profound process of self-discovery (revelations he now shares through lyrics and melodies.) “With songs and music I create what I want in my life: it’s about the process, making art and being on the journey.”
