Interview – Austin Belle

By: Remington Fioraso

Austin Belle is a country duo from Vancouver, British Columbia comprised of Jesse Wainwright and Stacey McKitrick.  Their brand new single, “Just Drive” is available for request on local country radio stations now.

How did you two meet?

Stacey: We met through a mutual friend 6 yrs ago – we started off writing together then Jesse ended up being my guitar player in my solo career and the fans LOVED him so much we decided that we should do a group project

Jesse: It took a lot of convincing for Stacey to realize it was a good idea for us to play together haha

How did the name ‘Austin Belle’ come to be?

Stacey: I’ll let Jesse answer that one lol…..

Jesse: It’s quite an elaborate story, but at the end of it we decided we really liked the sound of it, so Austin Belle was born.

Who are your musical influences?

Stacey: I LOVE ALL genres of music. my first being the amazing Reba, but I adore everything from Whitney/Mariah to Stevie nicks and Elton john. I am just ALL over the map on that lol

Jesse: I have a wide range as well, from Eric Clapton to Garth Brooks and Elton John to Guns n Roses

You recently released your new single, “Just Drive”, how has the reception been so far?

Stacey/Jesse: We are really excited about this song and even more so about all the positive response and feedback from our fans. Nothing beats having people enjoy something you created and love to do 🙂 We are really excited for people to hear the rest of the record. It’s something we are very proud of.

How did it feel after hearing that “Just Drive” won new music challenges through KICX 106, JRFM, and KICX 91.7?

Stacey/Jesse: We were extremely excited and humbled to win!!! The feeling of Winning never gets old for us – it’s exciting each and every time. It was so unbelievable that all our friends and fans have helped support us so much. They are the reason we won everytime. We are just so grateful for them.

How was your cross-Canada radio tour? What were the most memorable aspects of it?

Stacey: haha it was fantastic…..even though Jesse has labled me as a “hassanger” ( aka passenger that harrasses lol ) we had a blast getting the chance to visit with everyone at the stations in person. It is all thanks to them that we get our music out and heard and get to do what we do. So it awesome meeting them in person and thanking them for all they do for us 🙂

Jesse: Yes, I agree with EVERYTHING, Stacey just said.

What can fans expect to hear from your debut album?

Stacey/Jesse: A little touch of everything pop/rock/country and even one Reggae feeling tune 🙂 Goodtime, turn it up loud music, with a couple heartfelt emotional moments.

You are currently running a contest for fans to get the chance to have Austin Belle play in their living rooms. Who thought of the idea?

Stacey: That was all Jesse 🙂 I mean all the brilliant ideas usually come from me ….so I thought I should let him have a turn this time hahaha lol ……totally joking!!!!! No Jesse is definately the brains of this operation.

Jesse: Yes everything Stacey said is bang on true, except the middle part haha

At Canadian Beats, we like to include ‘fun’ questions to help fans get to know you more.

Who are your favourite Canadian artists?

Stacey/Jesse: mmmmmm that’s tough we are fans of Sooooo many. We are great friends and fans of, Blue Rodeo, Gord Bamford, One More Girl, Chad Brownlee and Dallas Smith!!! We really have so many incredibly talented artist in Canada, that we admire 🙂

What was the first CD you purchased?

Stacey: TLC – crazy, sexy,cool

Jesse: Guns n Roses – Appetite for Destruction

Who was your first concert?

Stacey: Well besides Sharon, Lois and Bram, when I was 3 …Sheryl Crowe was the first concert I went to when I was 11. She was absolutely incredible 🙂

Jesse: Poison haha I think I was 11 or 12

What are your favourite foods?

Stacey: Does wine count……technically grapes…..fermented lol. I LOVE chocolate too…..basically everything that has no nutritional value lol 😉 but hey what girl doesn’t love wine and chocolate lol

Jesse: I like my icecream. Oreo mixed with Reese Peanut butter cup Blizzards are to die for. I could eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner!!

If you were stuck on a deserted island, what three items would you want to have with you?

Stacey: hmmmmmm

1. deodorant for sure !!!

2. Toothpaste /toothbrush

3. Wine !!!! LOTS of wine 🙂

Jesse:

1. My guitar (and probably Stacey for entertainment purposes)

2. My dogs

3. And My Dream Girl (she knows who she is)