Austin Brown is a Los Angeles based singer, song-writer, musician and producer who has spent his life surrounded by music. The son of Nathaniel Brown and Rebbie Jackson, sister of Michael Jackson, Austin is part of one of music’s most enduring and significant musical dynasties- The Jacksons. However, Brown has already begun to cultivate his own musical success outside of his family by working with industry heavy hitters including Pharrell, Rodney Jerkins and Jermaine Dupri. In his first ever Irish interview, Austin speaks to entertainment.ie about finding his own musical voice, avoiding the media madness, his memories of “uncle Michael” and his plans for industry success on his own terms.

Interview by Karen Lawler


Your first release was 'Highway 85' in 2012. Can you describe your sound and what inspires it?

The sound of the album was inspired by everything I grew up listening to, real life stories of love and heartbreak- sonically we just kind of went there, we just tried to use natural, pure sounds as much as we could while creating something fresh and fun.

There is a follow up album in the works too, right?

I’m actually in the studio as we speak, literally. I’m making new music so there will be a follow up, yes.

Your sound has a more retro, authentic soul feel than the dance orientated R&B of the moment. Do you feel R&B has lost its focus on song-writing and musicianship?

Yeah, but we’re young so we didn’t want to categorise ourselves as being old heads but at the same time I try to pay homage to the greats that made me want to create music. With our sound hopefully it’s reflecting all those times, while at the same time It’s giving you a new opinion of it and a new twist. Sometimes I think with music nowadays whenever a sound becomes hot, people stop, drop and start chasing that sound and I didn't want to become a victim of that. As important as it is to stay with the times you still have to be an individual and find your own identity through the
vibes that you’re creating. 

You are also co-founder of your own label South Five Records. Did stories from your family make you cautious of major record labels, like Michael's very public dispute with Sony?

I think a lot of it was that, mixed with really wanting to be free to experiment with the music that I really wanted to create and form my identity and personality musically outside of what everyone else may think, or of other people’s conclusions of how they think I am. That was more so the reason behind it. When you get to the level of Michael and what he was going through, he was dealing with issues far beyond what normal artists deal with, with their record company, him being such an icon and such a legend at what he did. More so it was the musical freedom but at the same time having something cohesive and fun to listen to. The internet too makes it possible to create something and put it out and get the opinion of the people. I can’t dispute any of that, the internet is really where’s it’s at in that sense, but the radio is also still the main factor in getting your music out there. I definitely feel it’s a hybrid. The internet helps you build your base. 

It’s very true, it can help people discover your music.

How did you find out about us?

I saw your video for Ménage A Trois on You Tube and I also saw you on E News awhile back.

That’s so cool. I haven’t done any other Irish interviews. To tell you the truth, my favourite place I have ever been in the world is Ireland. I went with Michael when I was a kid, he was on the 'History'tour. I went to the Irish dates. 

I went to that gig, it was amazing.

I was there, it was awesome. I was at that show. I’ll never forget landing in Ireland and thinking it was the most beautiful place I’d ever seen and I remember thinking one day I’d come back here touring myself, I’m still waiting for that day. I love Ireland, I love the pubs, I love the people, you guys are awesome.
 


 

Janet once said that she didn't want her last name attached to her early music because she wanted to be judged on her own merit. Has not having the Jackson surname helped with becoming an artist in your own right?

We’ll I mean, people tend to find out. I will say it does give people a different way of listening, maybe they’re not so quick to judge. Plus Brown is my last name, Jackson is not my last name, it definitely helps in that sense. I can’t help the blood that runs through my veins so I’m not going to turn a blind eye to that either.

Do you feel pressure to carry on the Jackson legacy for the next generation?

To tell you the truth, I really don’t because that’s not what I’m here to do. I’m just here to be an artist and to make the best music I can possibly make. I’m not trying to be anything else. Don’t get me wrong, I do respect everything my family has done and I’m proud to be a part of it. I do take it seriously since they make quality music, that’s where I do take on that legacy, for myself, to make quality music. As far as trying to get the accolades or accomplishments and that’s why I’m doing it.. No, that’s not right because it wouldn't be fair for me to put that pressure on myself. I can only be myself. Nor can people undo success at the level or of that magnitude. I can only be something else and I am something else for my generation. I’m having a good time making the best music I can possibly make.

It’s fair to say your mother Rebbie wasn’t keen on you performing as a child but you started your musical career at 18. What was that conversation like – explaining to her you were going to be a musician?

My mom is the type where if she knew I really wanted to do something I was going to do it regardless so after awhile she stopped fighting it. She was willing to let me go and do what I wanted to do because I was really passionate about it. My mom is a very loving, sweet person so she’s not going to hold me back in any way. She knew that this was what I love to do and what I wanted to be.

Given your family’s relationship with the media, where you nervous about being involved in the industry and the craziness that comes along with media intrusion?

I guess there might have been butterflies at first but with anything like that, you’ve just got go into it the best way possible and not really think about the drama. I just wanted to go into it to make best music I could possibly make, to the best of my capabilities and not think about what people may like or not like and to just be the best artist that I could be. I think with the media, it’s all how you deal with it and how you live your life. You can live your life more on a side where people are getting riled up and crazed like some celebrities do and creating that persona of a wild lifestyle, or you can be how John Lennon was in the end and just walk the streets of New York and make your music and live your life. There’s people I look up to like Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi who make their music and are still able to live their lives. It’s all about how you go about it. At the end of the day, I write songs and play shows, I try to spread a message of love, peace and unity in my songs. I’m pretty much a low key dude.

You also ghostwrite and produce for other people. Who else have you worked with?

In the early days I worked with a couple of producers that I would ghostwrite with, where you just sign off your rights for being credited but you still get your money.

Are you allowed to say who you've ghostwritten for?

Technically I still not supposed to but soon I should be able to though (Laughs).

You're producing for other people too, right?

I've produced for some local artists and I did stuff for Jojo's last mixtape. I’m getting stuff together for a few artists right now like Leona Lewis. She is awesome and she’s a good person so I’m getting that whole side of things together on top of working on our stuff.
 


 

You are a vinyl collector, what’s your favourite record of all time?

Shoot.. of all time.. My favourite jazz album has to be 'Kind Of Blue' by Miles Davis. Anything Herbie Hancock, The Jimi Hendrix Experience. I love The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour, Jay Z’s 'Blue Print 3'. It’s a great album with great production. I just love dynamic production.

Your track ‘Highway To The Sky’ is quite Beatles-esque. Would you agree?

Oh yeah! That’s what I tried to do with that. The Magical Mystery Tour, 'I am The Walrus', all those amazing songs (inspired it). That’s all live, we recorded that all live in the studio in Brooklyn.

Who would be your dream collaboration, dead or alive?

I would love J Dilla to produce an album, he passed away. He was the greatest. John Lennon, also Pharrell. I've already worked with him once and I’d love to work with him again. Q Tip too, I really look up to those guys and what it is that they do. I love Kanye West’s production and Timbaland’s production.

Have you any plans to work with Janet?

Right now I’m just doing my thing but who knows in the future I would love to.

What's your favourite memory of Michael?

For me, he was by far the most fun person I’d ever been around in my life. I just miss the fun. Everyone has their own thing about him as an artist but I always go back to the person and he was such a fun person. When I was a kid, if I knew we’re going to see uncle Michael I would have butterflies in my stomach because I knew we were going to have the best time. He was the ultimate hang out person. The type that will talk about nothing till five in the morning but at the same time you’re getting tons and tons of lessons. I just miss the person, the human being.

You once said Michael's passing changed your approach to creating music, how so?

Just not holding anything back, being very personal. Through your songs you can express anything. We don’t express our emotions every day in life because they’re personal, you don’t always say exactly how you feel about things but in song-writing you really can. The good thing is you can allow people to form their own opinions and conclusions and they can pull what they want from your art. That’s the best part about it.

What’s the best advice Michael ever gave you?

For me it was "stay true to you". He was very persistent on me just being real, real in my sound and real to myself. Also to work hard at creating my own identity, the work ethic of doing that, of taking that and running with it. I really hold that personally. I’ve been very fortunate for getting advice from some amazing people that I really hold dear to me.

In June 2013 reports surfaced that Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris had been hospitalised following an apparent suicide attempt. Can I ask how Paris is doing?

She is doing well, I do know that. She’s doing really really good. To tell you the truth I never really answer questions on that type of stuff because she’s a minor and I just want to respect that. When she is 18 it's a different story.

I’m really glad to hear she’s doing well. Have you plans to tour Europe or Ireland soon?

We are still in the studio at the moment but I’d love to.