The cover shot of Austin Plaine’s debut album shows a long, straight train track disappearing into the distance. Alluding to a long journey of discovery. A trip Plaine himself admits he never expected or even aspired to be on. Born in Fargo, North Dakota, Plaine was studying to become a lawyer when songs poured out of him, and he realised that there was possibly a chance that this could be a career. A record company signed him straight out of college and, unbelievably, dropped him after one record. It was a self-titled masterpiece and shows the fickle nature of the business. Listening again to the album just over ten years after its release, it still oozes class. His Facebook page includes a review from one fan, Jon Henderson, which sums it all up when he wrote, “Quite possibly the best artist that no one has heard of”.
The opening song ‘Never Come Back Again’ has featured in the hit TV show “Nashville” and has harvested millions of streams on Spotify. There are comparisons with his musical heroes, Bob Dylan and Ryan Adams; however, there is enough of Plaine to make his music unique. More people really should know about him.
Plaine has released three albums over the past 10 years. Each one growing in maturity, culminating in his latest 2023 set, “Faded Feathers”. Plaine grew up in Minnesota, the land of lakes. Early musical influences were Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison, whom he listened to with his father. Picking up a guitar he found in his grandfather’s closet at 13, he taught himself the techniques that make his playing so appealing. Mix that with his wonderful storytelling songs, a combination that would leave any americana fan wanting more.
‘Never Come Back Again’ is a song about leaving. Getting away from the norm. Plaine had hardly travelled before becoming a musician, and this song tumbled out of him along with the need to move on. To have experiences that would lead to more lyrics. Plaine said, “I want to make music and hope people connect with it, and then make more music from there”. He was invited to Nashville and recorded some songs. The track ‘Your Love’ was used in a national commercial, and Plaine’s work was widely adopted because it captured certain nuances and feelings people were seeking. What really happened is a mystery as Plaine’s career looked set to kick on. After being unbelievably dropped by his record label, it was four years before he released his sophomore collection, “Stratford”.
Produced by bass player Jay Foote, the album opens with the wonderful ‘Something More’, which may be autobiographical and is a steel-guitar-tinged thing of beauty. Plaine sings “You come back again / Like a movie I’ve seen before / Way back when / When we were something more”. There is heartbreak and memories all wrapped up in three and a half minutes. There is certainly more depth to the record than his debut, without losing the sense of spontaneity his debut had.
The set moves on from his first outing, with more instrumentation, a heavier feeling, but still the same lyrically interesting material. Possibly more mainstream because of the Nashville influence, but it is still a million miles away from the commercial pop country roads Plaine could have driven down. The beautiful and heartfelt ballad ‘What Once Was’ takes us back to the back roads of Minnesota, “Like a long lost love / I miss what once was”.
‘If Tomorrow Never Comes’ completes the record and serves as an acerbic, defiant jibe at the world and how the music industry and live music, to a degree, have become. There is a particular line about people at concerts living life behind a screen, which will resonate with many music fans stuck behind someone with a phone in the air or those who talk throughout a performance. The line “They’d rather post a video / Than listen to me sing” is so powerful and unfortunately true. Plaine was looking back, feeling the pain of loss and of simpler times. The heavy weight of growing up and all the responsibilities it entails. Plaine explains that the winter of 2019, the year “Stratford” was released, was his hardest. To use his words, “My darkest hour”. Even as the light was fading, there was at least a glimmer, and Plaine clung to this, going back to Minnesota, spending time in the woods. Using the feeling of hope to work on new songs that would become his third album, released in September 2023, “Faded Feathers”.
Produced by Anthony da Costa and mixed by Dan Knobler, the collection brings together all that Plaine is and all the experiences he has soaked up throughout his life as a troubadour. The songs are grittier and more atmospheric, full of ghosts and experience. The production allows the real Plaine to shine through, and he sounds confident as if he has arrived and become the full deal.
One of the standouts is the spiritual ballad ‘Bearwalker’, with its stunning guitar intro and lyrics that hold your attention. The harmony vocals are provided by Maya de Vitry, formerly of The Stray Birds and now forging her own solo career. This numinous tale of ghosts we carry within ourselves proves that, undeniably Plaine’s songwriting continues to evolve.
‘Turn It Around’ is an introspective song with beautiful violin and pedal steel. Plaine stuck, not knowing where to start, but with that spark of hope that he can turn it around. As with some of the best singer-songwriters, you feel that Plaine is talking to himself and looking for the next move. Completing the record with ‘Hidden In Motion’ is a brave synopsis of Plaine’s fragility, but with the sense that this is renewal, and after all he has been through, he continues to produce impressive music.
Plaine is active on Instagram, regularly posting songs and videos. Usually solo and with the occasional cover, such as Dylan’s ‘Desolation Row’ and recently the wonderful Gregory Alan Isakov track ‘The Stable Song’. A new set of songs will hopefully be on the horizon, but enjoy his music so far. Possibly comparisons with Zach Bryan, Ryan Adams, and Elliott Smith come to mind, but there is a unique quality to Plaine’s output that will have you asking and searching for more.
