On May 17, Americana storytelling-songwriter Austin Plaine will release his sophomore LP “Stratford” on Blaster Records. You can stream “Honey” from the new record now at Soundcloud. Austin had this to say about the song: “It’s got this rolling and tumbling groove and is about the fleeting moments we often take for granted. Sometimes you find yourself far away from your familiars and all you want to do is go back home. You forget about the time you are actually living in.” 

“Stratford” was recorded with a full band in an apartment in Brooklyn and is a follow-up to his 2015 self-titled debut release. Check out this live version of “Never Come Back Again” from that first record.

Austin Plaine writes songs with a lyrical content that keeps you focused from start to finish, and musically they match the best coming out of the genre. If you are one of those RIYL (“recommended if you like”) kind of people, I’d throw him out to those of you who are fans of Jason Isbell and Tyler Childers.

We thank Austin for visiting the usual 11 Questions that only a Nashville artist can answer. You can see Austin at the 9:30pm Bluebird in-the-round on April 20. 11 Question alumnus Matthew Perryman Jones is also on the bill. (Ticket sales start April 15 at 8am.)

Where are you from originally, when did you move to Nashville and why?

I’m from Minnesota and moved to Nashville a couple years ago. It’s been a place I’ve always wanted to live and thought now was the time.

What are the first and the last records you bought, and where did you buy them? Were they CD, vinyl or digital?

First CD ever was Take Off Your Pants and Jacket by Blink-182. The last vinyl I purchased was Smiler by Rod Stewart.

First and last live concerts that you’ve seen?

First concert was the Vans Warped Tour. The latest was BlackBerry Smoke and Will Hoge at the Ryman.

Whose star should be added to the Music City Walk of Fame?

Chris Stapleton

Where do you go in Nashville for coffee and pizza?

Coffee: Frothy Monkey in the Nations. Pizza: Sbarro

What’s your favorite record to ever come out of Nashville?

Best album from Nashville: Bob Dylan’s Nashville Skyline

Where’s the best place to eat late night after a show?

Best late-night food: La Vera Pizza

The Bluebird calls and asks you to host an “In the Round.” Pick three local songwriters to join you.

Will Hoge, Jill Andrews and Aaron Lee Tasjan

What are your favorite music venues to play in town?

The 5 Spot

Name a musician who you’d like to see move here?

Every K-POP artist

Finally, what’s in your musical future?

More albums, more miles on the road, and more freedom in song.