Raised on Judas Priest and Whitesnake by his metal-loving dad, Austin Meade grew up immersed in classic and hard rock. In junior high, he connected with the emotional intensity of Paramore and Fall Out Boy, while admiring the songwriting craft of John Mayer. His musical depth further expanded with the storytelling of Tom Petty and the grit of the Texas-Oklahoma Red Dirt scene, where he began touring early on.
Starting out as a drummer and even teaching lessons to get by, Meade eventually found his voice playing guitar in his pastor father’s church—a foundation that fuels both the sincerity and defiance in his sound.
In 2014, Meade debuted with his EP Long Ways to Go and full-length Chief of the Sinners. He followed with 2016’s Heartbreak Coming EP and his second LP Waves in 2019, marking his rise on the Texas Music Chart. His 2021 album Black Sheep introduced breakout tracks like “Happier Alone” and “Dopamine Drop,” while 2022’s Abstract Art of an Unstable Mind blended genres into his own soulful, rock-driven signature.
In 2024, Meade leaned heavier with his Pretty Little Waist EP, pushing toward rock radio with the top 25 single “Blackout” featuring Danny Worsnop of Asking Alexandria, and collaborations with Treaty Oak Revival on “Insignificant Other.” His latest single, “Almost Famous,” is streaming on all platforms now.