You Are Here:

Home › News › 2011 › Los Angeles singer-songwriter to visit Southeastern Feb. 25

Los Angeles singer-songwriter to visit Southeastern Feb. 25

Press Release Date: 2-15-2011

DURANT, Okla. – Austin Hartley-Leonard, a Los Angeles based singer/songwriter, will be in residence on the Southeastern Oklahoma State University campus on February 25.

Sponsored by the Department of Music, Hartley-Leonard will be speaking on his music process, entry into the music industry, and work with Southeastern students in a Songwriters Symposium. Spinner.com hails Hartley-Leonard’s music as a “unique blend of Americana soul, lyrical sincerity and unique delivery.” thedelimagazine.com writes, “Given the onslaught of over produced country pop, it’s refreshing to hear Austin Hartley-Leonard’s soulful country-folk sounds: smooth without being glossy, charged with emotion without coming across as contrived.”

Originally a classically-trained cellist, Hartley-Leonard began as a solo singer/songwriter in Austin, Texas, after attending the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University. His first demo earned him an invitation to the SXSW Music Festival. Soon after, he started looking for other musicians to round out the band, and the group St. James Inc was born. The band went on to see success in the Austin music scene and was invited to perform at the Austin City Limits Festival. After releasing the "8 Hours" EP in 2006, St. James Inc performed at the Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago and then relocated to Los Angeles, where they continued to experience great success.

After meeting producer Charles Newman (The Magnetic Fields, Tim Myers, AM) in Los Angeles, the two began work on Austin’s debut solo record, "Franklin Ave," in December 2007. Following the release of the album in 2008, Austin played five shows at SXSW 2009, including a slot on The Hotel Cafe Showcase night.

His songs have aired on such hit shows as "Chuck," "The Ghost Whisperer," "Men In Trees," "Friday Night Lights," and "The Real World." In addition, Austin has been commissioned to write a number of commercial television spots, the most recent of which being the theme for a nationally aired campaign for "Troybilt Inc."

Over the last year, Hartley-Leonard has become one of the most popular Los Angeles-based independent artists, headlining his own shows at top venues at home and around Southern California, as well as playing cello with such artists as Greg Laswell, Cary Brothers, and Laura Jansen. Austin’s long-awaited EP, "Everywhere I’ve Never Been" was released in November 2010 and debuted at #4 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart. Produced by Bill Lefler (Cary Brothers, Dashboard Confessional, Gym Class Heroes) and supported by artists Matthew Ramsey (vocals, banjo, guitar), and Brother Sal (piano). As Austin moves ahead in 2011, he’s looking forward to releasing his new record’s first video for his dark cover of the late 90s hit, "Flagpole Sitta," starring Rachael Leigh Cook, as well as continuing to tour around Southern California.

The schedule for the residency is as follows:

  • 9:45 a.m.– Introduction – Fine Arts Building (FAB) 116
  • 10 a.m. -- The Writing Process – FAB 116
  • 11 a.m. – How It Really Works – Starting in the Music Industry FAB 116
  • 2 – 4 p.m. -- Songwriter’s Symposium – FAB Recital Hall
  • 8 p.m. – Austin Hartley-Leonard will be featured in acoustic concert in the Fine Arts Recital Hall. Tickets for the concert are free and can be picked up in the Music Office, FAB 120.
  • For more information please contact the Department of Music Office at 580-745-2088.