Twenty-four year-old Austin Brown describes his debut single, the Rodney Jerkins-produced 'Target Practice,' as having a "Gloria Gaynor-inspired melody, kind of disco-y, but new age." He also says the track was influenced by the Daft Punk, Ed Banger sound, "and the energy that those songs bring."
That diversity is normal for Brown, who cites influences such as the Beach Boys, Eddie Kendricks, Frankie Lymon, George Michael, Prince and many more. So, where does a 24-year-old develop that sense of music history?
"My mom really would always sit with me and show me what inspired her, so if it was watching 'That's Entertainment' and watching Cyd Charisse, Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, that's what she grew up on and that's what she showed me, early Elvis videos," Brown tells PopEater. "My mom always knew and always made sure to make it very important that I had a knowledge of where things came from. That's where my whole interest in music really started from -- my mom really schooling me on the basics."
Brown's mom is Rebbie Jackson, eldest sister of the legendary Jackson clan, so he had some of the best teachers in music. "When I was 12 years old my uncle Michael bought me a portable DVD player when they just came out and bought me 'Purple Rain,'" Brown recalls. "That's how much of a Prince fan I was. The DVD player, I thought that was cool, but when I saw 'Purple Rain' I freaked out and screamed."
As Brown steps into the spotlight, he knows he'll be closely watched by Jackson's fervent fans. "They're amazing. They're loving, heartfelt, loyal and they just support anything and everything that's his. It's one of the most amazing, loving things and he was so devoted to his fans," Brown says. "It's something I grew up seeing my whole life, so it's just how it's been."
"My uncle's the greatest to ever do it, period, and he did it for everyone who's in music," Brown adds. "He's influenced everyone, including myself, and I'm just a new artist who loves making songs and is stepping into this like anybody else."
Song at the source
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