Austin Cain
Austin’s a recording artist, songwriter, and producer getting after his dreams from Nashville, TN.
Letting go of the details and holding onto faith, Austin does all he can to use all he does to make a lasting impact. Whether he’s writing for his next single, producing someone’s project, or playing a packed out show, Austin stays curious, anticipating the ways God will use it all. Always up for whatever God has next, Austin continues moving forward, inspiring others with a message of love, hope, and unity along the way.
What dream are you currently turning into reality?
Currently, I’m turning my dream of writing songs, playing shows and producing music into reality! I create songs about life as I learn to live it, and hope that the highs and lows I sing about connect with similar moments in other people’s stories.
I believe that art is not what you see, but what you make others see. So, I dream of helping others see and feel love, along with hope and unity, in their own way.
When did you first realize you discovered your dream?
During my first two years of college, I remember wrestling with my identity and what direction I should take my life. John Maxwell says, “Most of us become what the most important person in our lives thinks we should become.” The most important person in my life has changed several times, from my parents to friends to my wife. I strived to become who they thought I should be and even at times who I thought I should be. I was so wrapped up in what other people said, the voice in my head, and my parents expectations, that I wasn’t focused on what my Heavenly Father’s voice defined me to be.
Around the time of my senior year at Auburn, I started to listen more to how God’s voice defined my identity instead of others. So, even though I got a degree in finance, I really felt a nudge to pursue the dream of creating great music!
Looking back, there are many people (like worship leaders, friends who made music, & encouraging words) and little events (like playing cello as a kid, moving to Memphis junior year of highschool, and starting a band in college) that led me to discover my dream. Funny the way it works out like that. It’s always the small pieces that make the big picture.
How does your faith go hand in hand with pursuing your dream?
They’re completely unified! I used to want to prove I could do everything myself and felt as if I was the lone ranger - Thinking I didn’t need other people. I would have never admitted it then, but I subtly started thinking I didn’t need God to make it happen. I tried to rely on my own strength and charisma. Striving to compartmentalize Jesus and make music happen on my own got me all the way to nowhere.
I’ve discovered through following Jesus I get to pursue my truest dream. He’s even changed my heart to actually want Him more than any metric of earthly success.
All that to say - My assurance of faith in the power of Christ that fills me, allows me to be confident in pursuing my dream. Confidence apart from God is just ego. But lemme tell ya - You can have strong confidence because of how you know God comes through on your behalf.
As believers, God lives in us. He works through us, and I believe He wants to use each of us to touch something or someone in a unique way. Most of us won’t change the world, but we can change our world. If we as Christians, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, recognize the light inside us, surely we can overcome the darkness around us.
What’s one or two practical steps you take to keep moving forward?
One thing I’ve been working on is making quicker decisions and trusting my instincts. Especially in production, but even down to everyday choices like what I’m gonna eat, wear, say and work on in a given day. Indecision and delays are the parents to failure. Much of my life, I’ve tried to avoid failure at all costs. So, even though not making a sure decision or delaying a part of the process seems to avoid present failure - It also never leads to future success.
A lot of people are great singers, musicians, engineers and producers. But, there is a delineation between the technically “right” way to do something versus what just feels right in your heart.
I’ve spent a lot of time working on the craft of making music and now what I’m trying to refine is my taste. Sometimes, I stumble upon a sound or approach to recording that, even if it’s not “the right way”, if I like it, and it sounds the way I want - It is. So, boom - Decision made!
What encouragement would you share with someone who’s going after their dream?
Your dream is important. Sometimes I can question the significance of what I’m doing because I’m not directly healing the sick, helping the poor or preaching the word. But, I believe if you’re truly pursuing the dream God has placed in your heart, you are in His will for your life and that is significant!
Be curious and teachable - It’s impossible to teach someone what they think they already know. When I’ve encountered the toughest seasons in my career, it’s been when I thought I knew the way things were supposed to work out! One of the gifts in disguise with living a life surrendered to God is that He doesn’t give us a blueprint. I think that’s because if we had one, our selfishness would rely on what we can do instead of what God will do!
I’ve heard it said that, “The harder you work, the luckier you get.” So, try to approach every problem as an opportunity to learn and work through it. When the tough times come, remember, a smooth sea never made a skillful sailor. Press on!