Austin Vallejo
Quad City singer-songwriter. Jazz guitar, blues, funk, gospel and Christian.
Austin Vallejo started his solo performing career around the age of 13, when his parents made him play guitar for family events. After growing fond of the spotlight, he began writing songs and performing acoustic solo/ duo shows at local coffeehouses with current bass-player/ best friend Josiah Lorentzen. "We use to pack places out," says Austin, "but I felt like that wasn't where I was suppose to be musically or subjectively."
Austin played at his home church every Sunday and Wednesday aside from solo gigs, but then began taking Christian music as well as his faith more seriously after attending Cornerstone Music Festival the summer of his Junior year in high school. "I realized that playing for myself had become boring, and that I wanted to write about something bigger than me. I felt like I was wasting my gift on myself rather than giving it back to the one who gave it to me."
Shortly after this commitment, Austin became full-time praise and worship leader for his current church: Rock Church of the Quad Cities (http://www.rockchurchofthequadcities.com) where he teaches, directs and plays high energy gospel/ contemporary music for both youth and Sunday services. He is now singing in his new project birthed out of Ground Zero youth ministries known as "New Wine" based on the bible verse Mark 2:22. "...No on puts new wine into old wineskins. The wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine needs new wineskins." Austin and "New Wine" interpret this verse as a declaration over today's youth and the way they (we) ought to praise God. "You can't fight today's problems with yesterday's mindset. Going to church every Sunday and singing hymn 145 on page 83 might have worked 50 years ago, but we're here to bring a cutting edge sound to a youth who are bored with church and think that God died over two thousand years ago."
Booking
Austin Vallejo
austinvallejo@yahoo.com
(309)269-2736
Has own PA.
Press
Godspell leaves Moline spellbound
"Great casting, extraordinary talent, and classic songs propelled the MHS
production of Godspell to epic heights. The three came together to
create a modern version of the teachings of the Biblical book Matthew.
The show is based on the Gospel of Matthew and presents stories such as
The Good Samaritan. The play culminates with the Last Supper and the
crucifixion of Jesus. Of all the factors that made Godspella hit, the
incredible amount of talent stole the show.
"Austin Vallejo confidently secured his role as Jesus by leading the play
with a solid singing voice and smooth acting. The music was wonderfully
prepared and each cast member did a splendid job of delivering their
message to the crowd. Each character was excited about their role and
really sold the show to the audience."
- LOT