Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Austin Baxter
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
My earliest memory is probably from when I was about three years old, singing along to Roar by Katy perry in the back of my car.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
My passion for creating music really started when I was 14 when i discovered a man called Ed Sheeran, before that I didn’t care for music in anyway (I didn’t even know what albums were…). I remember digging my mom’s guitar out of her closet and writing songs out of the same 4 chords for hours on end.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
My current project is called Graduation. Its a song heavily inspired by Noah Kahans new album “The Great Divide” all about me looking back on my life and relationship with my grandmother as graduation approachs, and how I’ve handled her passing and the idea that she won’t see me graduate.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
My sound varies heavily based off my mood and inspirations at the time. I have songs that sound straight off a Zach Bryan record and ones that mend more with my original inspiration of Ed Sheeran. But as a whole I’d describe my sound as a modern folk-pop combined with country at times.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Quality over quantity. I use to make 5 songs in a week and while I think that benefited me at the time of just starting out, the words never ment anything to me. Now I write less songs but the ones I do mean something to me, their thought out and written not just for a vibe but a story. I also learned that some times it just takes time for a song to come to you and you have to be patience, because rusing it will lead to a underwhelming final product.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
Im pretty simple at the moment, i have a guitar and that’s about it. For software I use reaper, and as I said the most important part in the creative process is patience.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Max McNown for sure, I’ve been following him for a long time and its been amazing to see how he’s grown.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
I haven’t had much of those quite yet, but something that has influenced me is seeing the way people react to my music, seeing the genuine enjoyment on their faces (sometimes mixed with tears) is what cemented in my mind that music is what I want to do.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I hope they take away all the same emotions that I feel when I listen to music. Music has a way of expressing emotions for the creator and listeners that nothing else can achieve, i want for people to feel that emotion when they hear my music too.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Id say that the most important thing music has taught me is connection. Nothing can connect a group of people like a good song, a perfect example of this is when the Goo Goo Dolls played Iris in the pouring rain. Ever person there had a unique story, different veiws, and opinions, but in that moment they all forgot about that, they forgot about hate, their differences, (and taxes.) And just let the music connect them.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I think I’d have to go with Wembley Stadium, that would probably be my “I’ve made it moment”
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
That’s a hard one but i think I’d have to go with John Mayer, he’s one of the greatest guitarist of our time and i’d love to see that magic happen live in studio.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
You can find me at,
Manitoba Music: Austin Baxter
Instagram: austinbaxter08
Tiktok: austinbaxter08
Spotify: Austin Baxter
There’s not there much now but after I graduate in June I plan on upping my game.
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I think for now its just to keep getting more and more gigs around Manitoba and growing my name locally to eventually grow more outside of the province.
Along with getting more of my stuff on streaming platforms.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I hope they can see the passion in my music and that I do this not just because I can, but because I love it and want to do it.
