Interview Of The Week with Austin Corini: A star was born on YouTube
His career started on YouTube, where he shared songs and music videos which led him to The X Factor USA in 2012. BWG interviewed Austin Corini after his Thanksgiving Zoom performance in Los Angeles, watched by tens of thousands of his fans. Austin talks about his path as a professional singer, his faith and about the challenging times of Covid.
“We need to start seeing ourselves in other people.”
Why singing?
I started recording at the age of 3 with my mom when she was recording an album with her band. My voice was so high but I fell in love with recording. I kept singing and thanks to YouTube, where I posted my performances, I got into a contest called the Teen Hood. That led me to X Factor and my professional career was launched.
Your career seems pretty straight forward. How can someone “make it” while others can’t in the music industry?
I believe that a lot of it has to do with giving up. Eventually people walk away from the journey. Also you have to network. You have to know the right people and you also need to love them. Love everyone. And people will love you and fight for you too. Also to have any kind of path you need to work hard and do what YOU do at your best.
What does it take to be a professional musician?
You absolutely have to know who you are and stand for what you believe in. Make sure you love yourself enough to take constructive and even mean criticism. Personal identity and faith are key to following your destiny.
What is the best and the hardest part of being an artist?
The best is being able to use my joy AND pain, as well as life experience, to inspire the rest of the world. We are all in this boat together and might as well love each other on the journey.
I love the lifestyle, too. Before the lockdown there were a lot of collaborations and studio sessions. Meet and greets and touring were really fun.
The hardest part is probably the dedication to the music. Not a lot of women can accept being second to the music but I also respect that. You should know yourself and never settle for a situation that doesn’t work for you. It’s a hard life. But I believe that my grind today will make my life with my family in the future a beautiful one.
Also, these days Covid makes things difficult. Because no shows are allowed it is hard to make money. Sometimes we have to do some outside work to keep the ship sailing.
With all that said what would be your advice to someone who wants to become a musician?
Write a song a day! And make your own beats. It is important to have a mobile studio so you can make beats whenever you feel inspired.
All I have to say is this: when I put my business and trust in myself and others, I failed. The moment I gave control of my career to God, everything changed. “If you don’t believe in something, you will fall for anything” is a very important quote.
God is my number one inspiration. People believe different things but I have a personal relationship with Him on the daily and my faith carries me through everything.
And what inspires you musically?
I get inspiration from all over the place but my heart belongs to Queen, Journey, and MJ. My favorite song of all time, for example, is Faithfully by Journey because it perfectly captures the love affair between two people trying to keep love alive while one is touring the world.
What is your message to the world?
We need to start seeing ourselves in other people. I believe we are all connected. As we live our lives, if we start treating everyone as us in another body, situation, life and upbringing, the heart of our world will begin to heal.
What are your plans for the future?
I plan to continue to release music and chase my dreams to inspire the world with my music. I don’t wish to be number 1 for the fame, I wish to be number 1 because I want to inspire and bring joy to as many people as possible. It is my calling and I will fight for it.
Austin is releasing singles over the next few weeks and would love for you all to hear them! Check out his Instagram and Twitter @TheTideAustin and you can find him under Austin Corini on all music platforms! Come together!
