We had the good fortune of connecting with Austin Chandler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Austin, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
My mom always used to say “words are containers of power”. This has two meanings to me. The first meaning is that the words you choose paint the life you live. It’s easy to say, “choose positive words”, “don’t curse” or things of that nature, but that would ignore the duality of being human. Life is incredibly challenging and will test you in unthinkable ways. As a believer, I love the story of Job. Through everything he went through, not once did he condemn the name of God. I think this level of faith is an amazing example for creative people. Your gift produces a path for you, one that will try to break you just before your breakthrough. Remember to stand firm in your gift because you are the only person on the planet with it.

The second meaning of this phrase, to me, represents the importance of comprehension. As a kid, reading sometimes presented a challenge. I loved books and stories at home, yet when it came time to read in class, I would often not finish my work. I leaned on audiobooks to stay on pace, creating an insecurity around reading in general. Eventually I was diagnosed with Dyslexia and rarely read at all, just finessing through school. Then Christmas 2014, my Uncle Kevin gave all his nieces and nephews a copy of “The Four Agreements”, pushing us to actually read it and not just spend the cash he hid inside. The first agreement, “Be impeccable with your word”, aligned directly with what I had always heard my mom say, and drew me in. When I finished the book, I vowed to apply the principles and see how my life changed. When I saw tangible improvements in my happiness, music, friendships and health, I realized how powerful the right message can be to the impressionable mind. I believe deepening your understanding of words is the greatest advantage you can give yourself.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a jazz kid; the alto saxophone was my first instrument. Although I don’t play as often now, this is the foundation of my ear. AABA, go left when they want right. My music is new age. Black artists have been castrated by category for far too long, and I carry the torch of the many multidimensional artists who paved the way for kids like me to express themselves freely. What some may not know, is that it took me 10 years to get here. In 2012, I moved in with my father, leaving Oakland for Los Angeles. My new school didn’t have a band class, and we lived in a studio apartment so I couldn’t play my saxophone at home. I began playing with the loops in Garageband and haven’t stopped since. I spent my time in college out of football practice learning two new DAWs (Ableton and Pro Tools) and created a studio out of my dorm. I was blessed to have teammates who recognized my talent and pushed me to invest in my craft before leaving school, and giving me thousands and thousands of hours of experience. If we weren’t on the field, we were in the studio with the same passion and work ethic.

When I graduated, I founded my first company Austin1hunnid LLC and began freelance engineering. This was an amazing way of meeting new people, learning new workflows, and sharpening my sonics. I was fortunate enough to be invited on Conway the Machine’s first solo national tour that Fall by Brodie Fresh. In what felt like was my biggest break yet, left me back in my hometown of Oakland looking at a shattered back window of our rental car and everything I brought on tour gone. In this moment, life asked me who I really was while simultaneously offering me the opportunity to choose who I am. Since then I have been blessed to share rooms with so many incredible artists, producers and engineers who have challenged me deepen my craft and gracefully shared their wisdom with me. I began recording my first solo album, my most complete and defining body of work yet. I am so excited for the world to hear my story. My goal is to create inimitable music and be remembered as one of the greatest artist/producers to ever come out of Oakland.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First thing I would do is take them to the beach. I’m boujie so we’d go to Malibu and get seafood on PCH. The next day we would go to the Baldwin Hills Overlook and then get an Ocean Blue at Simply Wholesome. If they like music, I’d take them to my studio ‘thekoiiipond’ at The Brewery in the downtown area, and we could see some of the exhibits at The Broad or the Grammy Museum. If they like clothes, I’d take them to thrift on Melrose or to the Fashion District. If they want to go out, I’d see who I know is Djing and take them to a house party. And if I’m feeling affluent, we would go to Bossa Nova or Berri’s on Third.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are too many people to name, ya’ll are wrong for this question but I’m going to do my best! I want to thank my incredibly supportive family for continuing to encourage me. I am living a dream deferred truly. Huge shoutout to Oakland, California for breeding the most creative and free thinkers in the world. We are from a different planet and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Next I want to shoutout the Bandier Program and Syracuse University introducing me to people who have created lives out of their dreams and telling me to reach even higher. There is no better program in the country! Thank you greatly to the one and only Justin Credible for being the inspiration and voice behind “ahunnidiloveit!”, your generosity is contagious and a light this world needs. I want to give a major shoutout to Eva Trifonas, Caitlyn Thornton, Jackie Barrie and everyone I had the pleasure of meeting at 88rising for such an amazing 2023! I am so appreciative of the phenomenal rooms your tireless hours created, thank you for giving me a chance and believing in me. Shoutout to BEAUTIFULMVN for changing my life with 70 gbs of drums. Lastly I’d love to shoutout Andrew, Parker, Hector, Bridget, Dylan, and Denzel – just a few of the amazing people I met at the Brewery Recording Studio in LA. Your thumbprints are imbedded in my sound and I am deeply grateful for you.

Website: ahunnidiloveit.com

Instagram: ahunnidiloveit

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ahunnidiloveit

Image Credits
Tony Torres, Jamil Taylor

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.