Austman

Taking major influence from many artists – from Bach to Beck, from Woody Guthrie to Radiohead – Austman's sound is often just outside many genres and is best described as landing somewhere between Paul Simon and Björk. Exploring many of the songwriter's thematic standbys, lately, as many artists of this city do, he's started tackling his reluctance to call Calgary his home – a city with many soulful people all hoping to have their work become something more than a business man's next attempt at cultural consumption.

But the desolate cultural climate has become a proving ground for the strength of a song And if you can get the crowd to shut up for a moment, you're onto something:

"The talent of Christopher Austman is unassuming and that is what makes him and his voice so exciting. When I had the opportunity to judge the Calgary Folk Festival's Singer/Songwriter competition, I honestly didn't know what to expect. There were twelve singers all competing for the Top Prize, and by the time Austman had finished his song, he had the whole thing all but wrapped up. He's one of those talents that you immediately reach for your phone and text your friends about. I know I wasn't the only judge that went home and googled Chris Austman's music and devoured anything we could find.

"If you're not familiar with The Ship and Anchor it is usually un-relentless loud and busy. But when Chris Austman began singing his song, the whole bar stopped and listened. That is how good he is."
~Mike Morrison, mikesbloggityblog.com