69. Austin Leonard Jones

Illustration: Lani Morrison

Austin Leonard Jones is a singing storyteller, spinning narratives based in fact and fiction with a penchant for writing country-flavored tunes that feel familiar from the get-go. Born and raised in Texas, he currently calls Ojai, CA his home. In the past year he’s released four albums on cassette tape: a live record, a collection of new songs called “Dead Calm,” and a ten-year retrospective in two volumes, called “The Wonder Years of Austin Leonard Jones” on Perpetual Doom records. I literally cannot stop listening and singing along.

I rank him along side my favorite American songwriters, right up there with Kris Kristofferson and David Berman. You might have heard his live performance and interview from the Scherler Sundays 2022 concert series, if not, you might wanna check that out after this is over to get a double dose of goodies from this guy. Today we’re talking tour stories, wholesome activities in Mexico, veggie burgers, the Beach Boys, being a strict band leader, and riding around in the pickup with his best friend Shenandoah.