Michael Antony Austin

Who is Michael Antony Austin...?

Centre stage since his early teens, Michael has since chalked up an impressive musical CV with a host of various bands, projects and as a solo artist, along with hundreds of LIVE shows across the world - most particularly in Europe.
​
Born and raised in Newcastle Upon Tyne, he now has dual nationality (both British and German), and currently resides in NRW, Germany.
​
As Singer/Songwriter, he has released a handful of deeply personal, radio friendly solo albums combining elements of West Coast AOR, Americana, Traditional Folk and British Indie Pop.
​
His current album 'It's Not The Years... It's The Mileage' featuring the singles ‘The Collier Lad's Dream', 'Turn Around And Kiss Me’, 'Getting Out' and 'Kathy (Come On Home)'.
Recorded & Produced by Gordon McNeil (Ian Donaldson, The Supernaturals, GUN) in Glasgow, Scotland it features the talents of Charlotte Printer (Skipinnish), Derek Fleming (Kodak Ghosts) and James Prime (Deacon Blue).
​
As frontman with the Queen tribute Queen May Rock and as a part of Russian classical pianist Natalia Posnova’s Queen Rhapsody ensemble, Michael continues to tour regularly around the world.
​
He has also released albums with Monsieur Klaas 'Jazz On The Rocks' (Jazz), Seafoam Green 'Songs From A Beautiful Sad Summer', 'Think Green' (Pop), Metal Inc. 'Traces Of The Past' (Thrash) and Queen May Rock 'LIVE At The Living Room' (Unplugged).

Media Quotes
+ Reviews

Come-on.de / Go Music Tour
" 'I haven't heard a voice like that in a long time,' exclaims a man in the audience. Michael Antony Austin has indeed an exceptionally velvety voice, which he used during the Go Music concert on Friday evening in an occasionally moving, sometimes exciting, but often purely great way. The singer's own songs were also very well received. Accompanying his own songs on acoustic guitar. On "Valentine", Austin sounded like a young John Cougar Mellencamp...”

RockTimes Music Magazine / Go Music Tour
"Michael Antony Austin, originally from Newcastle Upon Tyne, has likely assured himself a renewed participation (in the Go Music Tour) through his deeply impassioned singing. You could feel and see how he experiences the lyrics of the individual songs in different emotional states. Facial expressions and body language of course also played a role. His own rock songs were just as popular with the audience as the covers, and (accustomed to performing LIVE), he knew how to motivate the audience to sing-a-long."
​
Countryland / TivoliVredenburg
"The audience, from the Netherlands, England and Germany, were treated to a wonderful show, in which recent singles 'The Collier Lad's Dream' and 'Turn Around and Kiss Me' were needless to say, performed brilliantly. The highlight for me was the truly beautiful 'Ghosts Of The Tyne', a ballad of over seven minutes that moved me to tears. He is only just getting started, but Michael Antony Austin has established a solid foothold on Dutch soil with this performance in TivoliVredenburg!"

Orange Flag Music
''....New Country is hip and trendy. Artists such as Luke Combs, Brad Paisley and Kane Brown are selling out large halls. Michael Antony Austin is another modern New Country artist. After listening to 'It's Not the Years..., It's the Mileage' I am completely convinced of the qualities of this artist from Newcastle Upon Tyne."

Real Roots Café
"With his many performances on various stages, Austin is a more than experienced musician. He puts pieces of all those experiences into his own compositions. The (album's) accompanying letter talks about Country with the flavor of Pop, Rock and Folk. Musically, that hits the nail on the head. Austin puts a lot of love into his lyrics. With twelve songs in total, 'It's Not The Years... It's The Mileage' is an entertaining, well-made long player."

Music That Needs Attention
"The cap wearing singer/songwriter makes accessible Pop, Rock and Folk music - with a touch of Country here and there. At the beginning of 'What Happened to Us?' you can even hear some Spaghetti Western influences. I think Michael's voice comes into its own best in the subdued, soulful Kathy (Come On Home)."

Blues Magazine / Turn Around and Kiss Me (Single Review)
"Who doesn't remember the cozy Rock CDs from the nineties? This song (Turn Around and Kiss Me) by Michael Antony Austin would fit perfectly on such an album. A nice sensitive song with a beautiful video..."
​
Testimonials
​
"There are two qualities (amongst many) that stand out to me about Michael's voice: firstly his fearless approach to the difficulties of the music, whether he is singing Queen - where the highs and lows are no barrier, or his own compositions. The second is the clarity of his voice. Careful use of vibrato adds to the emotional sense of the music and you can hear every word clearly.“
- Peter Freestone (Freddie Mercury‘s Personal Assistant)

“In a world full of auto-tuned bots... it's so good to hear a proper singer. Such a rarity these days!”
- John Young (Lifesigns, Asia, Bonnie Tyler)

“I've listened to Michael's voice for countless hours over the last 15+ years, producing, recording (and) mixing dozens of songs with him. It never ceases to amaze me. He sings bone-crushing Metal, the most heartbreaking ballads and everything in between with the same passion and without losing his uniqueness. An outstanding singer, a gifted songwriter, a great person and an even greater friend.”
- Andy Brings (Musician, Producer, TV Celebrity)

“(It’s) great to see and hear another North East (UK) talent making his mark in music. Stick the 'It’s Not The Years… It’s The Mileage' album on, and let it carry you away...”
- Dave Johns (I, Daniel Blake, Award winning Actor, Writer & Comedian)

“As two of the founding members of Prelude, Irene and I have know Michael for many years and as singers who appreciate melody and harmony we’ve always been big fans. He is one of those singers who can cross over genres effortlessly. He can rock out and then sound tender and poignant. Any group would be more than glad to have him as their main vocalist, not to mention his ability as a solo performer.”
- Brian Hume (Singer/Songwriter & Guitarist with Prelude)