5 of Austin’s Musical Men Open Up About Love and Music

Guest article by Andi G. C.

What is love?

This is a question we’ve all asked ourselves at least once in our lives. Numerous authors have written on the matter; it is the theme of many movies; and a great number of musicians awaken our emotions when singing about the topic of love.

Since Austin is such a vibrant and energetic city, largely due to the abundant number of musicians who reside here, we thought it would be fun to shine light on several local male artists’ perception of love. This time it’s the guys’ turn to open up and share their feelings!

1/ Tommy Blank, Quiet Company

Instrument: Guitar, keys
Genre: Indie rock
Relationship status: Married, almost five years
QuietCompanyMusic.com

Q: How do you define love?

A: This is a hard question because I think it’s different for everyone. For me, love is about knowing that you can always rely on someone. There are elements of connection and attraction that are really important, but if there’s the chance that it’s unreliable or wavering, then it’s not true.

Q: What’s the difference between loving someone and being in love?

A: Kind of what I mentioned before. To me, “being in love” refers to that early, passionate time in a romance. Loving someone is more practical. Knowing them, who they are, what they stand for. The trick is to find both.

Q: Describe a quirky trait that you really like about your significant other.

A: My wife and I show affection through giving each other a hard time. It’s kind of how we flirt. If she weren’t teasing me about being goofy on stage, or the answers I give in interviews, then I would know that something was wrong.

Q: What’s something you admire about your partner?

A: She’s an amazing mom. All the little things that stress me out, or that I couldn’t handle alone, she seems to do so effortlessly.

2/ Julian Acosta, Julian Acosta & The Hustle

Genre: Rock & roll/blues/soul
Relationship status: Single
JulianAcostaMusic.com

Q: How do you define love?

A: I define love as a deep-rooted connection that you have with somebody that creates this amazing vibe and can only exist with action. You can’t tell somebody you love him or her and not show him or her. Talk is cheap, in other words. Love should also be the most beautiful compromise.

Q: Have you ever done anything irrational because of love?

A: Absolutely. I flew halfway around the world. If I could do it again, I would, but without her. Spain is a very beautiful place.

Q: What’s the cheesiest pick-up line you have ever used?

A: I walked up to this girl and purposely got close to her. With a confident smile and butterflies in my stomach, I looked into her eyes and pointed out how the distance between her neck and shoulder coincided with the distance of my putting my arm around her as I did the motion. We had a moment.

Q: What character and physical traits make someone irresistible?

A: In my eyes, character is most important. I can’t resist a girl who carries herself with confidence, yet is down to earth. I look for compassion, honesty and a sense of humor. If she’s a fan of self-improvement as well, that doesn’t hurt. When it comes to looks, I really like a nice smile attached to an elegant, yet refined, style. I dig it when a girl gets creative with her fashion.

3/ Jack Ingram

Genre: Country
Relationship status: Married for 20 years in June
JackIngram.net

Q: How do you define love?

A: That is fairly presumptuous, as I have found that defining love seems about as easy as defining “HAPPY.” We all know it when we feel it, but it is without doubt always a moving target! It’s that “thing”! What thing?! I just love her! How do you know?! I just know.

Q: What’s the difference between loving someone and being in love?

A: Maybe “being in love” is a bit more like a fantastic roller coaster. Maybe loving someone is more like a long drive cross-country, with a destination always just past an incredible sunset.

Q: Have you ever done anything irrational because of love?

A: Of course. Driven through the night from Dallas to Birmingham, then hitched to Atlanta because she said she “really wanted to see me”! (She wasn’t THAT impressed.)

Q: What makes her laugh?

A: When I fall or hurt myself in front of her! I know, right?!

4/ Daniel Leopold, Leopold and His Fiction

Genre: Indie Rock/R&B
Relationship status: Single
LeopoldandHisFiction.com

Q: How do you define love?

A: Love of self.

Q: What’s the difference between loving someone and being in love?

A: Loyalty and respect, doing whatever it takes to sustain the relationship versus wanting to do someone’s dishes.

Q: Have you ever been in love?

A: I’ve done a lot of dishes, but I’m not fool enough to be a dishwasher.

Q: What’s the most honest pick-up line you have ever used?

A: IF I stay over, would you mind you sleeping on your couch?

5/ Ben Cina

Genre: R&B/soul
Relationship status: Single
BenCinaMusic.com

Q: How do you define love?

A: Love to me is friendship, deep, unyielding friendship. Obviously, relationships start off as fun, exciting moments, but you know it’s love when you need that person in your life for support and encouragement, and all you want to do is give that to them as well.

Q: What’s the difference between loving someone and being in love?

A: You can love someone as a friend, but being in love is a supreme type of love between you and the person who you are most intimate with. Being in love is having no walls between you and the other person.

Q: If you could be with any comic book character, who would it be?

A: Cat Woman, Halle Berry version. All that leather really does it for me.

Q: How do you usually impress a date?

A: I never try to impress someone. If they are out on a date with me, usually they are impressed enough already. I just try to learn all I can about the person; ask a lot of questions; and figure out if we are a good match for each other. I think there is nothing better and more impressive to someone you are out with than being interested in them and showing that interest, instead of just talking about yourself.

 

@theAustinot wants to know:

How do you define love?

 

Andi G. C. is a passionately curious wondering soul, currently working on a novel inspired by her living and gallivanting around Southeast Asia, deconstructing societies and human relationships while transcending cultures.