Austin & Elliott (Chris Elliott & Lisa Austin)
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Austin & Elliott (Chris Elliott & Lisa Austin)

Northampton, Massachusetts, United States | SELF

Northampton, Massachusetts, United States | SELF
Band Folk Singer/Songwriter

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

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Press


"Review of the song "Hard Not to Fall in Love""

The first time I heard Austin and Elliott’s song, “Hard Not to Fall in Love,” off of their EP, Truth That Hurts, I knew I had come across something spectacular. It’s a brilliant song, written by Chris Elliott, and delivered emotionally by Elliott and Lisa Austin. In a world where love songs can often be cliché or too gooey, Austin and Elliott went creatively beyond that and created a perfect love song.

In this performance, the finger-picked guitar riff by Elliott is quite impressive and fills the role of most of the instrumentalism. There is some subtle slide guitar work during the bridge of the song, performed by the producer of this tune, Lorne Entress. The only other ingredients are the great vocals of Austin and Elliott. Elliott sings most of the tune, but Austin sings along on the bridge and in the hooks.

This intimate approach isn’t the only reason this tune works. The lyrics are a great. My favorite verse is, “It's hard not to watch the water shine. Everybody stares at the things that make them blind. And you're so bright from afar. Not to fall in love with you is hard. It's hard.”

The song appears to be about a couple trying not to fall in love, because their geographical departure from one another is eminent. Elliott sings, “It's hard not to hold on and believe, as fortune on the rail carries you away from me. Letting go is the hardest part.” Austin and Elliott again sing together, “And not to fall in love with you is hard. It's hard.”

Austin and Elliott's, “Hard Not to Fall in Love,” off their CD, Truth That Hurts, is a fantastic love song. If you’re a fan of well-crafted, folky songs with great lyrics and an intimate delivery, this song will be your absolute favorite. - Listeners' Generation.com


"Metronome Magazine CD Review"

Singer-songwriter-guitarist Chris Elliott was a recent feature on Metronome's April cover due to his clever songwriting and musical prowess. Now, he returns with musical partner Lisa Austin to offer up 13 stark compositions highlighted by some fine dual lead vocals and harmonies. Fueled by lone acoustic guitar, Austin & Elliott rely more on the emotive quality of their voices to deliver these tunes. Elliott's singing is clear and smooth while Austin's is bright and powerful. Together they make a glorious singing duo filled with rich Celtic nuance and tradition. Best tracks include the emotionally charged "Starlet with a Needle," the darkness of "O Death," the beautiful finger picking of "Hard Not to Fall in Love," Austin's delicate "Flycatcher," and the small town tragedy of "Blackwater Dam." The duo proves to be a welcomed addition to any fine coffeehouse or listening room. Good stuff. - Metronome Magazine


""Satellite, UFO, Jet Plane or Star" CD Review"

"... Quirky and provocative, he takes on big subjects without seeming to take himself too seriously, which makes the CD a refreshing listen. One song starts out with the repeated words "Birth! School! Work! Death!" in a heavy rock-inspired tone of mock seriousness. Other tracks take a somewhat intellectual approach... but sail along on a summery bed of rhythm guitar and pleasant melodies. Elliott's voice has a sweet and conversational quality that is always likeable.

"Everything But You" is a fine ballad that showcases Elliott's talent for melody and his sensitive vocal delivery. Another highlight for me is "Promises, Promises," in which Elliott complains about a Jehovah's Witness at the door ... It has a Barenaked Ladies-style glee to it, and is (like the Ladies' songs)very well written and witty. - Rambles.net


"Blog by Online Folk Festival"

Top 10, 1st quarter of 2006

Singer/songwriter Chris Elliott and his singing partner Lisa Austin have put together an impressive collection of acoustic folk. It's just two voices and an acoustic guitar, but the songs are impressive, particularly the mythic folk ballad "Blackwater Dam," which has a timeless quality difficult to achieve.
- Gary Grant


""Satellite, UFO, Jet Plane or Star" CD Review"

"Well written with themes based on love, war, death, heavy metal music, dishwasher in a restaurant, America, to name a few. Most are set in Americana folk rock mode, with good steady predictable tunes. Influences by Bob Dylan, Loudon Wainwright III, and Randy Newman can be detected, but there is nothing wrong with that. The songs are all recorded well, so you can hear all the lyrics. One thing I liked most about this album is that the songs are all varied, demonstrating Chris's ability to pen different sorts of songs and the fact that he's not stuck in any one groove. Worthy of an extra mention is my other favourite track 'Raven on the Wire' which reminds me of something Show of Hands might have come up with." - Green Man Review


"Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin"

Dynamic Duo

Remember that old TV commercial about the origin of peanut butter cups? “You put your chocolate in my peanut butter!” “No, you put your peanut butter in my chocolate!” Turned out, of course, that they were two great things that went great together.

The same is true for Lisa Austin and Chris Elliott, two musicians who have recently combined their forces as Austin & Elliott.

Both have honed their skills in Boston’s sprawling folk scene, which Elliott calls “the Hollywood of singer/songwriters.” Together, they create a tasty harmony that carries Elliott’s songwriting to new heights.

Elliott, the “class brain” of Johnson City High School’s Class of 1989 who teaches English as a second language, released his first “official” solo CD last year. Satellite, UFO, Jet Plane or Star features new compositions as well as old favorites from the past 15 years of shows and homemade CDs.

A coming-of-age feel runs through some of the album — a sense that something else is out there for the songs’ characters, if only they can figure out what it is. Heavy Metal Dayz is based on Elliott’s teen years growing up in the Town of Maine; Ginger and Ned tells of a trio of high school friends who can’t stay together forever; Greek Tragedy is about a young man’s first frustrating job after college.

Other songs invoke folk traditions. Sweet Liberty, for instance, sounds like a Woody Guthrie ballad for the post-9/11 world. In the album’s lighter moments, Elliott shows a sly sense of humor that makes you laugh out loud — but in the more serious moments, his lyrics give you food for thought about love, life and loss. “I started off doing mostly humorous songs — over-the-top humorous songs,” Elliott aid, “but they evolved into more satirical ones.”

His songwriting these days tends to paint rich word pictures with broad strokes, leaving much of the interpretation to the listener. “The newer songs have slightly ambiguous yet evocative lyrics. If they connect to you, that’s what the song is about,” Elliott said. “They’re richer, more challenging, and leave more to the listener to interact with it.”

He’s also acquired a taste for darker themes, and that suits Austin just fine. “Sometimes I think it’s my influence,” she admitted. After recently delving into Harry Smith’s Anthology of American Folk Music, she said, “I’m coming to the realization that the traditional stuff is all about death.”

She and Elliott met on Boston’s open mic scene, and they decided towork as a duo after she contributed to Satellite, UFO, Jet Plane or Star. The result is 13 Songs, which includes gems like Blackwater Dam (a “twisted Eden” story about how a little girl’s death leads an entire town to fall from grace) and O Death (a modern take on the traditional idea of a song from Death’s point of view). For Elliott, developing new material was critical to his work with Austin. “I started writing songs that were more for dual harmonies — the expanded sonic landscape of two voices working together,” he said. “We both have different styles, which I think is a good thing,” Austin said. “I’m more intuitive coming up with harmonies; he knows more about theories of music. Sometimes he’ll come to me for advice about lyrics.”

While Austin tried as a child to master piano, she only learned to play guitar at age 30. Eighteen months later, she was one of 20 semifinalists for an opening spot in the 1999 Colorado Lillith Fair. Her six-song solo EP, Snowy Day, is available through her Web site.

Austin said she and Elliott have plans for a second album of all new songs. While the majority of 13 Songs is written by Elliott, Austin hopes she can find the time to compose more of her own material. Currently, Austin juggles her music career with jobs as bookstore clerk, kindergarten aide and babysitter while also trying to become re-certified as a teacher. “It’s almost like I have two different lives,” Austin said. “I’d rather be a (full-time) musician, but survival takes precedence.” - Chris Kocher


""Truth That Hurts" Review"

This five-song EP from Massachusetts-based singer/songwriter duo hits all the right chords with beautifully crafted tales of introspection and woe. Nicely harmonized vocals, reminiscent of Aimee Mann, compliment immaculately produced instrumentals. Featuring accomplished local musicians such as Duke Levine, these five songs come fully realized and are sure to please. - Performer Magazine


"Folkweb.com & Club Passim"

"From bitingly ironic to honestly beautiful... catchy, hooky songs with lyrics that are biting, ironic, thoughtful and stunning. Off the beaten path, but right on target."
- Matt Smith


"Chris Elliott CD Review"

"Strong as any major label disc in this genre. Sparkling folk-driven pop number fueled by Elliott's ingenious, sometimes lofty lyrics and majestic string work fill this pioneering 13-song effort full of wonderful themes and superb musicianship." - Metronome Magazine


""13 Songs Plus" CD Review"

"Quiet determination and thoughtful lyrics..."

Here we get great value with no less than 21 tracks on the album from Boston-based duo Austin & Elliot. Lisa and Chris perform widely on the circuit, giving audiences a chance to hear their original work, and this album will extend this pleasure to a much wider audience.

There are no lush strings or complicated arrangements on offer here. These are songwriters with a love of words expressing emotions -- personal or otherwise -- to the pure accompaniment of guitar.

"When I Go" is a case in point. It has a spare accompaniment, but even that could be superfluous when the listener gives attention to the harmony of these voices and the strong lyrics. The magic continues on tracks like "O Death," with its haunting theme and delivery. It could be a rendition of a song written centuries ago. The guitar takes off at a stronger pace on "Caroline," an oldstyle story-song that is well worth a close listen.

Tracks with titles like "Still Water," "Truth That Hurts" and "Started with a Needle" give you an idea of the beautiful, laidback style of this wonderful duo, but show how to tackle all sorts of subjects with quiet determination and thoughtful lyrics. This is a fine collection of original material well written and thoughtfully performed.
- Rambles.NET


Discography

Austin & Elliott: "Truth That Hurts"; "13 Songs Plus"
Chris Elliott: "Satellite, UFO, Jet Plane or Star"

Photos

Bio

These two complement each other eloquently, combining smarts with heart. Crafting a timeless sound from folk, pop, and rock, Massachusetts-based Austin and Elliott update the classic sound of guitar-driven 60s duos. Their thought-provoking lyrics deal with both dark and redemptive themes, and their distinctive harmonies range from the bracing to the beautiful.

Think a mix of duos like Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Richard and Linda Thompson, Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer, Johnny Cash and June Carter, Richard and Mimi Farina, the Handsome Family and Timbuk 3. The more you listen, you'll hear: Natalie Merchant, Bob Dylan, REM, Robyn Hitchcock, Randy Newman, the Pogues, Pixies, James McMurtry, Todd Snider, Grace Slick, and more. Live in concert, Austin and Elliott deliver a diverse set with a blend of male/female vocals, strummed and finger-picked acoustic guitar, bass, 6-string banjo, and hand drum. Experienced live, each song has a distinctive feel: tender or cynical, soothing or raucous, doomy or bright.

Their latest 5-cut CD "Truth That Hurts" is produced by Lorne Entress (Catie Curtis, Lori McKenna, Mark Erelli) and features renowned guitarist Duke Levine (Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ellis Paul) and the Resophonic's Paul Kochanski. Dealing with themes of love gained and lost, the EP features "Hard Not to Fall in Love" and the title track, which cracked the top ten on the worldwide Folk DJ charts.

A native of Western Massachusetts, Lisa Austin began playing live while living in Boulder, Colorado in 1998-1999. She was a Lillith Fair semi-finalist for an opening spot at the 1999 Colorado Lillith Fair, and since then she has played and sung in many venues throughout Boulder and Massachusetts. Her songwriting is dark and traditional-folk inspired, filled with rural imagery, reflecting her love of and reverence for the natural world. She often sings from unique points of view, such as a fisherman drowning at sea or a westward journeying pioneer who discovers his family dead on Christmas Day.

Born and raised in Binghamton, NY, Chris Elliott sings of love, death, food service, the human condition, America and more, often with clever wit. According to Club Passim's Matt Smith, "his songs run the gamut from bitingly ironic to honestly beautiful." With an MFA from Emerson College, he also writes poetry, which is evident in his literary writing style. The unusual handmade acoustic guitar Chris plays was won in the WUMB 91.9 FM/Borders Books and Music Songwriter Competition. The guitar was crafted by luthier Alan Carruth, and its deep, powerful tone accommodates Chris's style, which alternates soft fingerpicking with vigorous strumming.

Venues played include: in the greater Boston area: First Night Boston, Club Passim, the Nameless Coffeehouse, the Burren, the Cantab, Java Joe's, TT the Bear's Place, Johnny D's, Perk's Coffeehouse, and more. Further west, the Center for Arts in Natick, Amazing Things Arts Center (Framingham), the Dove Cafe and Capo's (Lowell), the Pioneer Arts Center (Westford), the Java Hut (Worcester), the Stagecoach Inn (Groton), Studio Session Live for HCAM TV (Hopkinton), the Sit 'n' Bull (Maynard), Mocha Maya's (Shelburne Falls), Club Helsinki (Great Barrington), and more. Around the Northeast: Tupelo Music Hall (Londonderry, NH), Vanilla Bean Cafe (Pomfret, CT), Langdon St. Cafe (Montpelier, VT), Postcrypt Cafe (New York City), the New Jersey Folk Fetival, and more. We've opened for Rod McDonald and Cindy Bullens, and Chris (solo) for Grey Eye Glances, Ratsy, and Gideon Freudmann. Live on the radio: WUMB 91.9FM (UMASS Boston), WMUA 91.1FM (UMASS Amherst), WMFO 91.5FM (Tufts University), WUML 91.5FM (Lowell, MA), WMPG 90.9FM (Portland, ME), WSCA 106.1FM (Portsmouth, NH), among others.