B. Austin – Xperience Monthly Interview, by James Mullen

When people think about the music that’s come from the Glens Falls region of the 518 music scene, they most likely think of rock bands like Wild Adriatic and Capital Zen. However, there is one person who has been making massive progress toward changing that perception to include Rap and Hip Hop, and that’s the man behind Family Thing Records: B. Austin.

With several releases already in 2023 including the “New Goats EP” in January and singles “Beast Mode” and “Get on My Level” in February and March, Austin has made racking up streams and digital reach look easy. What’s perhaps most impressive is that he’s doing it all while also hosting Hip Hop events at multiple venues and consistently helping to shine a light on a part of our music scene that certainly does not get nearly enough attention. I caught up with B. Austin as he prepared to host his seventh consecutive monthly Hip Hop Night at 42 Degrees Tavern in Downtown Glens Falls on March 16th, with the eighth already scheduled for Thursday, April 20th.

RRX: You’ve been red hot in 2023 with a handful of releases gaining lots of streams, but you’ve got releases on Spotify going all the way back to 2014. What has your journey as an artist been like?

BA: It has had its ups and downs just like sales. In 2014 I started producing for myself and I faced a lot of criticism tapping into a whole different world when it comes to production. I never let it affect me or my process. The most important thing out of anything during my journey is being consistent.

I had projects drop in 2014, 2015, singles in 2017, Gotta get it in 2020 and so far this year, I have released over 10 songs in just 4 months. Being consistent is the most important thing even if you don’t think the music is where you want it to truly be at. You just have to keep reminding people who you are, what you can do and also don’t be afraid to show your accomplishments.

RRX: Rap and Hip Hop are severely under-represented in the Glens Falls area; how has it felt to be able to start changing that?

BA: I really took the big first step of being vulnerable just seeing what I can accomplish by doing the unthinkable. I just know that what I have done will really open up the eyes of those who are younger to let them know “hey, I know you got dreams too, you can’t be afraid of what people say. You just have to send it; go out there, do your thing and everything else will work out in the end.”  My dad always used to tell me “Bry, you just have to show up”, I really took that with a grain of salt. It’s one thing to take advice but it’s definitely a whole different perspective to take action towards something you truly love. I’ve been thinking about making music for nearly my whole life.

RRX: I first became aware of you as a rising Glens Falls artist after learning about your Hip Hop Nights at 42 Degrees Tavern, how did that partnership come together and what has it been like to watch it grow?

BA: Everyone at 42 Degrees really welcomed me with open arms. It’s been almost a full year since I did my first open mic there. I actually just decided to go there one Friday night for an open mic. My neighbor Lily recorded a video of me and the next day I posted it online, and it got so much love and insane crazy reactions from everyone even on Instagram, Twitter, etc.. So I just kept going back to 42 Degrees. After about 4 months, eventually Robin asked me to host Hip Hop Night in September 2022 and I instantly said yes. The biggest thing for me was that I told him that I wanted to “do it right” and I feel like I have done that for the most part. We had the seventh Hip Hop Night in a row on Thursday March 16th! We have them once a month but everyone thinks we do it every week haha! Back to the “being consistent” thing. Life can change as long as you keep pushing!

RRX: You’ve worked with Pauly’s Hotel in Albany as well as 42 Degrees; do you have a wish list of venues in the 518 you’d like to expand to?

BA: I’ll perform anywhere to be honest! But I would really love to do a show at Desperate Annie’s and Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs. I’ve been to so many shows at Desperate Annie’s that it’s only a matter of time getting booked there. As for Putnam Place I’ve done numerous open mic nights there too even if I’m just performing for Gary and the bartender. I remember the first time I walked in there and no one was even in there. I still told Gary. “Man, this is just something I gotta do” can’t be afraid to perform for just the bartender and the sound guy. One day 3 people will turn into 3,000 people!

I really wanna get into some of these 518 festivals also. I have helped make Hip Hop recognized now and you can’t deny our skills or talents anymore. I wanna do a show at MVP, Empire Live & SPAC! You can’t ever, ever dream too big!

RRX: What other 518 area artists are you a fan of? Are there any you’d most like to collaborate with?

BA: One person that I’ve always wanted to collaborate with is Margo Macero. Many people don’t know this, but we actually grew up together. We went to middle school and high school together. Even back in middle school I knew she was always gonna be something special. Lately how she’s been touring nonstop all around the 518, I’m super proud of her. I always thought more globally from day one since music is a universal language but what she has done so far is truly amazing and inspiring, I need to make her some beats haha.

As for bands and rappers there’s too many to name. Most if not all of the great acts in this area I would consider my friends now or even business partners.  I have a lot of respect for Seize Atlantis, Under the Den, Aila, Mundy, The Messenger, LuBuoy, Blister Boo, Trey Magic, Untouched, Death Cult Pharmaceutical, Capital City Crooks, Bonus, 50 Racks, Queen Midas, and many, many more.  I’ll collaborate with everyone as long as the timing is there.