Austin Williams

Name, where are you from?
Austin Williams, born and raised in Worcester/Birmingham.

Describe your style in three words?
Seth from The O.C.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Chic at Glastonbury 2013. We were going and playing there for the first time, so it was all very special anyway. All my mates went to see Arctic Monkeys and I was like what? over Chic? So me and my friend Mike took a pill and watched Nile Rogers and Chic get through about twenty number ones. What a glorious show, when they finished they walked off stage and blared out 'Get Lucky' which is exactly how I felt.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
For purely the entertainment factor, I think to be backstage with some band like Guns 'N' Roses or one of those intergalactic bands from a time where money wasn’t an issue would be fun, I don’t mean to look back with rose-tinted glasses, I’m sure it had its downsides, it would probably be quite depressing, but I would love to witness it first hand you know? But in all seriousness probably Aretha Franklin or Elvis. I would love to witness the power.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
I was a skater boi. I was also a bit of a mosher but I hung out with the townies and chavs. The skate parks in small towns are usually like that. I remember a townie girl said she fancied me but couldn’t go out with me because I was a skater. I remember thinking that was quite cool, I was a long-haired greasy piece of forbidden fruit. I was always super into anything American '90s/early 2000s. Malcolm in The Middle, The O.C, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. Still am, to be honest.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history, who would you choose?
My Grandma, I'd love to spend that hour with her, even if we just sat there and watched t.v and eat cake, I’d take that over Jesus any day.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
The Ritz in Manchester has a very special energy to it, after playing it a few times it’s never failed us. Also, there was an abandoned shopping mall in Bangkok we played at. Will always remember those venues fondly. 

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
There are thousands, so many unsung artists that deserve more for their work. One that is close to home though is Keven Rowsell, and to be honest, he’s only unsung because he’s played like two gigs. He’s an honest and beautiful storyteller and that's all I've ever wanted to hear in music.