Whether people call it bluegrass, jam grass or Americana rock, the Jeff Austin Band rejects those labels and seeks to explore and create electrifying music. The Jeff Austin Band looks to bring their unique style to the WorkPlay Theater in Birmingham on Sept. 21.
The Jeff Austin Band is comprised of touring members, Ross Martin on guitar, Eric Thorin on bass, newest addition Ryan Cavanaugh on banjo and the band’s namesake, Jeff Austin on mandolin. After parting ways with Yonder Mountain String Band in 2014, Austin released his solo album, “The Simple Truth,” and began touring with Martin, Thorin and former member, Danny Barnes, before adding in Cavanaugh.
“Having [Cavanaugh] in the fold, there’s a different feel about it,” Austin said. “There are no nerves or anything like that. I stopped being nervous a long time ago.”
The Jeff Austin Band will be joined at select tour dates, including their performance at WorkPlay Theater, by Jay Starling, who Austin dubbed master of the dobro guitar. Austin said he envisioned the band as a five-piece ensemble, and due to a break in Starling’s schedule, they were able to add him to a handful of dates.
“[Starling]’s a great guy and a good friend, and he’s just a monster player,” Austin said. “It’s out of sight. I have a feeling it’ll add to that energy of what we’re trying to get at [on tour].”
Like many musicians and artists, Austin is hesitant to label the Jeff Austin Band’s distinct sound. He believes that if an artist tries to contain themselves with description or let others influence their identity, it narrows what they can achieve.
“For me, [our sound] is just a continuation of the boyhood that I’ve been trying to find since I started making music professionally almost 20 years ago,” Austin said. “It’s a natural continuation of the sound I’ve been seeking, and I’m lucky to have [Martin, Thorin, and Cavanaugh] with me who are interested in the direction I want to head.”
Cavanaugh is eager to perform with the Jeff Austin Band and enjoy the opportunity to play in his home country, considering he spent nine years touring with jazz saxophonist Bill Evans in Europe and Russia.
“I’m really excited to play for [Austin]’s fans because they are not the typical traditional fans of bluegrass,” Cavanaugh said. “I tend to push the boundaries of what is traditional, and [Austin]’s open-minded fans are just what I need to express that creativity to.”
Austin has been touring and performing his music since 1997 and believes that life on tour is better now. Sleeping more, eating better and playing more intimate venues, Austin said tour life has been a blast.
“[Touring] is such a sense of adventure every night,” Austin said. “There are songs that we play every night because we’re working through things, and there’s something that we’re trying to find in these songs that is not going to find itself. When that happens, it’s such a huge, eruptive moment for the fans and for us.”
Austin and his outfit of bluegrass musicians have played in Birmingham a number of times, many of those at the WorkPlay Theater. Though he recognizes that some things might have changed over the years at the WorkPlay, Austin hopes the cook still works there. Austin said he still remembers the salad dressing he had there three years ago.
“Whenever you experience things like that, where you feel like you’re home, that’s a really important thing for people who travel a lot,” Austin said.
Austin has an answer for people still on the fence about buying tickets.
“It’s a Monday night, get a little adventure in your life,” Austin said. “Now you can beat a case of the Mondays and come watch five bluegrass-y, jazzy freakers make weird faces and pretty cool music if I say so myself.”
The Jeff Austin Band, joined by Jay Starling, will be at the WorkPlay Theater Monday, Sept. 21. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on the WorkPlay Theater’s website.
