+Ahmet R YILDIRIM Yep he sent it with hopes that they would see his ability to interpret. Un-shocking to everyone but him, though, they wanted him to perform.
I love how when he talks he is such a typical interpreter with his very close signing box and consistent rhythm. When he sings, though, man does he let it all go.
natprincess123 yeah it’s technically singing in two languages simultaneously if you think about it aha. I do rlly enjoy singing & signing myself cause I’ve practiced so much being able to focus on both but I can’t say I sound anywhere near as good as Austin 😂 I can do a few of the rap songs from Hamilton which have taken me sooooo long to sign that fast 😂
And when it comes to the rhythm of signing, I think it’s just like singing, or is for me. I let the music and emotion guide how I sing the song, and so I do the same for my signing. Whereas when talking I sign & speak in the normal consistent way that ive grown up being taught
As someone who has been signing their entire life and singing for years, I still can't sign and sing at the same time smoothly. Asl is so different from English that talking and signing at the same time is almost impossible to do while maintaining proper grammar in both languages. I have so much respect for this man and this performance 🙌🙌🙌
+anrina He came out of nowhere. He applied with Michael Arden to be an ASL interpreter (he's hearing, but knows ASL) for Deaf West, and they cast him as Melchior in the original Los Angeles production.
+corvus13 Yes I read that hence my comment! Really really hope he does more after Spring Awakening. It's too bad the revival doesn't have a cast recording. His voice is a blessed gift to this world!
casual reminder that this bean didn't study musical theater, singing, or acting to any extent. he had basically no experience in the musical theater world before spring awakening.
Which is SO CRAZY to me, because he has absolutely killed it in everything I've seen him in! I watched the DWSA bootleg a while back and loved his Melchior very much (I'm still kicking myself that I never got to see it live), and then I just recently watched When We Rise and Speech and Debate, and just... he SO freaking naturally talented! I'm curious if he at least did some theater in high school or something, because if DWSA was literally his first time ever performing... what the heck how does one even *do* that right off the bat!?! But even if he did do a bit of theater or something growing up, STILL- thank goodness he kind of fell into the performing thing unexpectedly, because he is so delightful to watch and listen to!
I agree! I've been wondering the same! How did he transition to live musical theater with no formal experience or training!! I think I read somewhere that he had acted in some plays in high school. Which (in my opinion) is still not enough to prepare you for this! Its so much dancing and singing loudly while annunciating and acting and line memorization for hours. I cant believe he wouldve hidden this talent if dwsa didnt see his potential in him. It makes me believe I can achieve anything even if it's not in my original plan. I want to meet him and tell him this lol.
His wikipedia page says he majored in vocals at college though? I kinda doubt he doesn't have training, his vocal technique is impeccable, sounds very practiced and deliberate.
He graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor's degree in American Sign Language and Vocal Performance. Idk where you’re getting all of that other information from lol
I was moved to tears by his performance in When We Rise. Now I find out he sings like an angel too. What's not to love about this very talented (and very sexy) guy?
LOL I was watching this for like the 17th time and the ad that popped up was for Spring Awakening on Broadway. I started laughing really hard and my bro was like "What" and I was like "Lookit the ad. Now lookout him. It's the same guy! HA!"
This is honestly one of my favorite performances of all time. His voice sounds really beautiful with this song, especially in falsetto and I feel like he signs so much more passionately when he sings. And i feel like he's really telling a story. It makes me emotional whenever i listen to/watch it and he seems so much less shy here than in any interviews I've seen him in
I would buy this performance on itunes for $20.. Simply amazing. Cant stop watching this. Im at CAP21 and i can only dream for those vocals. You are my inspiration. Wow..
Ooh ooh ooh...Sleep now under my skin Make sure you’ll try to Conjure the wind And ease my mind Ooh ooh ooh... Somebody call out to your brother He’s calling out your name Ooh ooh ooh Hiding under the covers With no one else to blame Ooh ooh ooh You couldn’t help out your own neighbor You couldn’t tell it to his face You were fucked up by the blame You cower in the corner Confide in your father Let it out and say Let it pass away Sleep now under my skin Make sure you try to Conjure the wind And ease my mind And I said Ooh ooh ooh... Somebody call out to your brother He’s calling out your name Ooh ooh ooh Hiding under the covers With no one else to blame Ooh ooh ooh You couldn’t help out your own neighbor You couldn’t tell it to his face You were fucked up by the blame You cower in the corner Confide in your father Let it out and say You cower in the corner Confide in your father Let it break your day Let it out and say Wait there Pull yourself out of this state dear Acknowledge you were a fake here From there on you might just grow Oh oh oh Somebody call out to your brother He’s calling out your name Ooh ooh ooh Hiding under the covers With no one else to blame Ooh ooh ooh Oh, you couldn’t help out your own neighbor You couldn’t tell it to his face You were fucked up by the blame
Ooh ooh ooh... Sleep now under my skin Make sure you’ll try to Conjure the wind And ease my mind Ooh ooh ooh... Somebody call out to your brother He’s calling out your name Ooh ooh ooh Hiding under the covers With no one else to blame Ooh ooh ooh You couldn’t help out your own neighbor You couldn’t tell it to his face You were fucked up by the blame You cower in the corner Confide in your father Let it out and say Let it pass away Sleep now under my skin Make sure you try to Conjure the wind And ease my mind And I said Ooh ooh ooh... Somebody call out to your brother He’s calling out your name Ooh ooh ooh Hiding under the covers With no one else to blame Ooh ooh ooh You couldn’t help out your own neighbor You couldn’t tell it to his face You were fucked up by the blame You cower in the corner Confide in your father Let it out and say You cower in the corner Confide in your father Let it break your day Let it out and say Wait there Pull yourself out of this state dear Acknowledge you were a fake here From there on you might just grow Oh oh oh Somebody call out to your brother He’s calling out your name Ooh ooh ooh Hiding under the covers With no one else to blame Ooh ooh ooh Oh, you couldn’t help out your own neighbor You couldn’t tell it to his face You were fucked up by the blame
I hadn't watched this in a few months, and now I have been reminded of just how captivating he is * *__* * Also, this is semi-random but can I just say: I came across a video a while back of Austin saying he'd like to play Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and ever since I cannot get over how much I NEED that to happen!! Just.. you guys... Austin. As Hedwig. Maybe give it a couple more years since he still has such a baby face, but YES PLEEASE!! Also extra points if they do an ASL version and incorporate sign into it also because that would be awesome? :) )
Stephanie L as someone who knows sign, I’m laughing so much just imagining how sexual it’d be to sign hedwig 😂 I do rlly want to see it tho as it’s one of my fave musicals 😂
WAIT,,,,,, DEAF WEST SHOULD HIGHKEY DO A PRODUCTION OF HEDWIG,,, it would be so good too!! Like Hedwig is a story about a person who has so so so so many layers, and they try and make themself into whoever the people around them wants them to be. Until the end of the show of course. Hedwig is such a gorgeous story and I would LOVE to see it in ASL
Ooh ooh ooh Oh oh Ooh oh ooooh Sleep now under my skin Make sure you'll try to Conjure the wind And ease my mind Ooh ooh ooh Oh oh Ooh oh ooooh Somebody call out to your brother He's calling out your name Ooh ooh ooh Hiding under the covers With no one else to blame Ooh ooh ooh You couldn't help out your own neighbour You couldn't tell it to his face You were fucked up by the blame You cower in the corner Confide in your father Let it out and say Let it pass away Sleep now under my skin Make sure you try to Conjure the wind And ease my mind And I said Ooh ooh ooh Oh oh Ooh oh ooooh Somebody call out to your brother He's calling out your name Ooh ooh ooh Hiding under the covers With no one else to blame Ooh ooh ooh You couldn't help out your own neighbour You couldn't tell it to his face You were fucked up by the blame You cower in the corner Confide in your father Let it out and say You cower in the corner Confide in your father Let it break your day Let it out and say Wait there Pull yourself out of this state dear Acknowledge you were a fake here From there on you might just grow Oh oh oh Somebody call out to your brother He's calling out your name Ooh ooh ooh Hiding under the covers With no one else to blame Ooh ooh ooh Oh, you couldn't help out your own neighbour You couldn't tell it to his face You were fucked up by the blame
Triple threat: singing, signing, and being adorable.
You are still watching it too? Me too lol i think we make up all the views 😁😁
Preston William I keep watching it too!
josie offutt honestly
True tho. However you forgot that he does acting.
And acting
the fact this video is over 6 years old... and it still slaps as hard as it did then
Fun fact about Austin: He wasn't planning on being an actor. He actually started at def west as an interpreter and ended up getting cast.
+Marina Lebowich He sent a video of himself to deaf west?
+Ahmet R YILDIRIM Yep he sent it with hopes that they would see his ability to interpret. Un-shocking to everyone but him, though, they wanted him to perform.
Jill Kealling And he actually wanted to be an ASL teacher...
I hope the producers of Hadestown will be able to convince him to be the next Orpheus after Reeve Carney's contract ends!
Michael William Ybarra or jose ramos !!
I love how when he talks he is such a typical interpreter with his very close signing box and consistent rhythm. When he sings, though, man does he let it all go.
I'm sure its extremely difficult to sing and sign simultaneously. Actually, I know bc I've tried lol
That is a distinction I never would have noticed, thats cool
natprincess123 yeah it’s technically singing in two languages simultaneously if you think about it aha. I do rlly enjoy singing & signing myself cause I’ve practiced so much being able to focus on both but I can’t say I sound anywhere near as good as Austin 😂
I can do a few of the rap songs from Hamilton which have taken me sooooo long to sign that fast 😂
And when it comes to the rhythm of signing, I think it’s just like singing, or is for me. I let the music and emotion guide how I sing the song, and so I do the same for my signing. Whereas when talking I sign & speak in the normal consistent way that ive grown up being taught
I love the look he gets when singing in falsetto, he always looks so cheeky, so "What I didn't know I could do this wat?"
i'm always astounded by his ability to sign and sing at the same time and make it look SO flawless & easy
Wow. I knew he could sing but had not idea he was that talented. That was incredible. And though I don't speak ASL, the signing was mesmerising! Wow!
The amount of times I've watched this should be a world record or something.
Lol. Same here !
His falsetto sounds so effortless. Like stop it. Ugh.
I know right
Rightttt it’s sooo good !!!!!
Im watching this again for the 5th time today- wow someone help me with my obsession with Austin McKenzie
same hi
Elisha honestly 👌🏼
As someone who has been signing their entire life and singing for years, I still can't sign and sing at the same time smoothly. Asl is so different from English that talking and signing at the same time is almost impossible to do while maintaining proper grammar in both languages. I have so much respect for this man and this performance 🙌🙌🙌
i've been watching this for three weeks
Briana Ruiz I can't stop watching it
sAME
I always admire people who can sign whilst singing, I can't multitask to save my life
Blown away by this kid. Where did he come from?! Just saw him as Melchior today and and all I can say is "bejeezus"... wow.
+anrina He came out of nowhere. He applied with Michael Arden to be an ASL interpreter (he's hearing, but knows ASL) for Deaf West, and they cast him as Melchior in the original Los Angeles production.
+corvus13 Yes I read that hence my comment! Really really hope he does more after Spring Awakening. It's too bad the revival doesn't have a cast recording. His voice is a blessed gift to this world!
anrina He's filming the miniseries "When We Rise", about the rise of the gay rights movement. He plays real life gay activist Cleve Jones.
+corvus13 That's wonderful! Definitely need to hear him perform though!! I wonder if he would ever consider doing a solo concert?
Contact him on Twitter, see what he says.
casual reminder that this bean didn't study musical theater, singing, or acting to any extent. he had basically no experience in the musical theater world before spring awakening.
Which is SO CRAZY to me, because he has absolutely killed it in everything I've seen him in! I watched the DWSA bootleg a while back and loved his Melchior very much (I'm still kicking myself that I never got to see it live), and then I just recently watched When We Rise and Speech and Debate, and just... he SO freaking naturally talented!
I'm curious if he at least did some theater in high school or something, because if DWSA was literally his first time ever performing... what the heck how does one even *do* that right off the bat!?! But even if he did do a bit of theater or something growing up, STILL- thank goodness he kind of fell into the performing thing unexpectedly, because he is so delightful to watch and listen to!
I agree! I've been wondering the same! How did he transition to live musical theater with no formal experience or training!! I think I read somewhere that he had acted in some plays in high school. Which (in my opinion) is still not enough to prepare you for this! Its so much dancing and singing loudly while annunciating and acting and line memorization for hours. I cant believe he wouldve hidden this talent if dwsa didnt see his potential in him. It makes me believe I can achieve anything even if it's not in my original plan. I want to meet him and tell him this lol.
His wikipedia page says he majored in vocals at college though? I kinda doubt he doesn't have training, his vocal technique is impeccable, sounds very practiced and deliberate.
He graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor's degree in American Sign Language and Vocal Performance. Idk where you’re getting all of that other information from lol
Miche Fulkerson an interview he did lmao
My daughter is deaf and has received a cochlear implant. We're really pushing ASL, so that she has the choice. Thank you for doing this.
I swear to god this kid is an angel
I can't begin to express how many times I've watched this
I am so obsessed with this cover. There is so much rawness and emotion in his voice. I am also loving the ASL
I was moved to tears by his performance in When We Rise. Now I find out he sings like an angel too. What's not to love about this very talented (and very sexy) guy?
He's gay
Lani J
Lmao
He and his boyf petty cute
@@maddox6181 Whoa who's the lucky guy?
Kate
Kevin Michael McHale
Here again I’m 2022 to say how much I loved how Austin McKenzie sing this song 🥰
LOL I was watching this for like the 17th time and the ad that popped up was for Spring Awakening on Broadway. I started laughing really hard and my bro was like "What" and I was like "Lookit the ad. Now lookout him. It's the same guy! HA!"
that was one of the best vocals I have EVER heard.
This is honestly one of my favorite performances of all time. His voice sounds really beautiful with this song, especially in falsetto and I feel like he signs so much more passionately when he sings. And i feel like he's really telling a story. It makes me emotional whenever i listen to/watch it and he seems so much less shy here than in any interviews I've seen him in
This is actually insane
Blown away by those vocals! I have goosebumps.
I absolutely cannot wait to start seeing Austin Mckenzie all over the place. So much talent right here!!
This video was posted 9 months ago and I'm just now seeing it. Actually upset that 9 months of my life went by without this lol
oh my god
I would buy this performance on itunes for $20.. Simply amazing. Cant stop watching this. Im at CAP21 and i can only dream for those vocals. You are my inspiration. Wow..
Ooh ooh ooh...Sleep now under my skin
Make sure you’ll try to
Conjure the wind
And ease my mind Ooh ooh ooh... Somebody call out to your brother
He’s calling out your name
Ooh ooh ooh
Hiding under the covers
With no one else to blame
Ooh ooh ooh
You couldn’t help out your own neighbor
You couldn’t tell it to his face
You were fucked up by the blame You cower in the corner
Confide in your father
Let it out and say
Let it pass away Sleep now under my skin
Make sure you try to
Conjure the wind
And ease my mind And I said
Ooh ooh ooh... Somebody call out to your brother
He’s calling out your name
Ooh ooh ooh
Hiding under the covers
With no one else to blame
Ooh ooh ooh
You couldn’t help out your own neighbor
You couldn’t tell it to his face
You were fucked up by the blame You cower in the corner
Confide in your father
Let it out and say You cower in the corner
Confide in your father
Let it break your day
Let it out and say Wait there
Pull yourself out of this state dear
Acknowledge you were a fake here
From there on you might just grow
Oh oh oh Somebody call out to your brother
He’s calling out your name
Ooh ooh ooh
Hiding under the covers
With no one else to blame
Ooh ooh ooh
Oh, you couldn’t help out your own neighbor
You couldn’t tell it to his face
You were fucked up by the blame
+i-am-one-with-nic-cage THANK YOU
+2puppies 1person YOURE WELCOME!
I have a big crush on him. He acts, sings, signs, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
the fact that I have continued to come back every 6 months to this song for the past 5 years and am still obsessed and amazed
I always come back to this video to find some comfort, I love you Austin
i honestly don't understand how someone could be this freaking talented but love you austin
that little nod at the end kills me
as soon as I heard the intro I was like"..............I already love you."
I keep watching this
This is still one of my favorite things he’s ever sang, and he’s released whole albums now.
I listen to this at least twice a day. I love his voice so much.
I think about this twice a day
This make anyone else burst into tears?
3 years after you commented this and I'm coming back to this video and sobbing
he should teach a class on how to do vibrato without vibrating your jaw because plenty of people need to learn
Facts
With falsetto that gorgeous he should 100% play Orpheus in Hadestown!!
Bestie you're making points 😫💅
the depth and range of his voice is just incredible
I can't fall asleep without listening to this now
forever in awe of Austin’s talent :’)
I heard this song 5 times and I was flashed - the intention is ....I have no words - because it is so PHENOMENAL👍👍👍👍👍
I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE HIM LIVE OMG He is absolutely amazing
Honestly can't stop watching, he has such a stunning voice.
I'm just gonna violently keep replaying the first 18 seconds
This is seriously one of my favorite performances now. Amazing vocals and sign language usage. Love, love, love!
What this video makes me feel is indescribable
i’ve watched this 12 times in the past 2 days
Ooh ooh ooh...
Sleep now under my skin
Make sure you’ll try to
Conjure the wind
And ease my mind
Ooh ooh ooh...
Somebody call out to your brother
He’s calling out your name
Ooh ooh ooh
Hiding under the covers
With no one else to blame
Ooh ooh ooh
You couldn’t help out your own neighbor
You couldn’t tell it to his face
You were fucked up by the blame
You cower in the corner
Confide in your father
Let it out and say
Let it pass away
Sleep now under my skin
Make sure you try to
Conjure the wind
And ease my mind
And I said
Ooh ooh ooh...
Somebody call out to your brother
He’s calling out your name
Ooh ooh ooh
Hiding under the covers
With no one else to blame
Ooh ooh ooh
You couldn’t help out your own neighbor
You couldn’t tell it to his face
You were fucked up by the blame
You cower in the corner
Confide in your father
Let it out and say
You cower in the corner
Confide in your father
Let it break your day
Let it out and say
Wait there
Pull yourself out of this state dear
Acknowledge you were a fake here
From there on you might just grow
Oh oh oh
Somebody call out to your brother
He’s calling out your name
Ooh ooh ooh
Hiding under the covers
With no one else to blame
Ooh ooh ooh
Oh, you couldn’t help out your own neighbor
You couldn’t tell it to his face
You were fucked up by the blame
I can't stop watching. Insane. He is so incredibly talented.
I AM HOPELESSLY ATTRACTED TO EVERYONE IN THIS DAMN CAST HELP ME
GIVE BIRTH TO MEEE!!!
How am I JUST finding this man? He's simply fantastic.
ok but the guy in the background just sort of nodding approvingly for the whole thing though
The pianist?
is he really the pianist? his upper body movements don't seem to match the piano sounds but idk maybe
Hannah W I think he might be a special man..like deaf dumb or blind sort of...see Austin also singing on sign language though
The guy sitting down ins the translator, but Austin already knows the sign language to this song so he didn't need him lmao
he's one of the musicians.
I hadn't watched this in a few months, and now I have been reminded of just how captivating he is * *__* * Also, this is semi-random but can I just say: I came across a video a while back of Austin saying he'd like to play Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and ever since I cannot get over how much I NEED that to happen!! Just.. you guys... Austin. As Hedwig. Maybe give it a couple more years since he still has such a baby face, but YES PLEEASE!! Also extra points if they do an ASL version and incorporate sign into it also because that would be awesome? :) )
Stephanie L as someone who knows sign, I’m laughing so much just imagining how sexual it’d be to sign hedwig 😂 I do rlly want to see it tho as it’s one of my fave musicals 😂
WAIT,,,,,, DEAF WEST SHOULD HIGHKEY DO A PRODUCTION OF HEDWIG,,, it would be so good too!!
Like Hedwig is a story about a person who has so so so so many layers, and they try and make themself into whoever the people around them wants them to be. Until the end of the show of course. Hedwig is such a gorgeous story and I would LOVE to see it in ASL
I am just so amazed at how beautifully he sings and signs. He makes it look so effortless.
Matt Corby, an Australian treasure. Great cover :).
Wow his voice is phenomenal! I love how he signs when he sings, that's adds such a wonderful element💖 and damn those high notes tho
brings me to tears every single time.
i am in LOVE oh my GOD
Lucky Kevin Mchale 😂
🤣🤣they so cute tho 😘🥰🥳😍 I love them for a couple they perfect for each other 🥰😭😍
I LOVE ONE (1) MAN
Ooh ooh ooh
Oh oh
Ooh oh ooooh
Sleep now under my skin
Make sure you'll try to
Conjure the wind
And ease my mind
Ooh ooh ooh
Oh oh
Ooh oh ooooh
Somebody call out to your brother
He's calling out your name
Ooh ooh ooh
Hiding under the covers
With no one else to blame
Ooh ooh ooh
You couldn't help out your own neighbour
You couldn't tell it to his face
You were fucked up by the blame
You cower in the corner
Confide in your father
Let it out and say
Let it pass away
Sleep now under my skin
Make sure you try to
Conjure the wind
And ease my mind
And I said
Ooh ooh ooh
Oh oh
Ooh oh ooooh
Somebody call out to your brother
He's calling out your name
Ooh ooh ooh
Hiding under the covers
With no one else to blame
Ooh ooh ooh
You couldn't help out your own neighbour
You couldn't tell it to his face
You were fucked up by the blame
You cower in the corner
Confide in your father
Let it out and say
You cower in the corner
Confide in your father
Let it break your day
Let it out and say
Wait there
Pull yourself out of this state dear
Acknowledge you were a fake here
From there on you might just grow
Oh oh oh
Somebody call out to your brother
He's calling out your name
Ooh ooh ooh
Hiding under the covers
With no one else to blame
Ooh ooh ooh
Oh, you couldn't help out your own neighbour
You couldn't tell it to his face
You were fucked up by the blame
I think this is my 6th time watching this video today alone
I feel attacked by how GOOD he is. What a gift.
Austin is outstanding.
5th time watching: Just one more before I go shower. ONE MORE
I’ve never fell in love with someone’s voice more than rn
In 2019 and still playing it on repeat
This video needs to get to Matt Corby.
i cant stop listening ... 25,905 views? going to be 30,000 by the end of the night cause of me lol
I keep coming back to this. its absolutely mesmerizing. what a fantastic voice.
WHY ISN'T Austin McKinzee a HUGE STAR!
With his Heartwarming Back Story, TALANT, Charm, Charisma and Good Looks
He should be on top of the world.
i have never seen a more perfect man. like sir is this legal
This is what beauty is. ♥️♥️
i can't stop watching this
I may or may not be in love.😍😍😍😍😭😭😭😭I have chills from those vocals
I think i'm gay, im in love
Can't wait to see him in SA in October - gorgeous
I was so moved by his amazing job playing Cleve Jones in When We Rise. AMAZING
3:17 - 3:36 I could hear this part over and over!!
just discovered this last night, and i know for a fact I've watched it 30+ times already
Fell in love with him on When we rise
Ok I've been re-watching for weeks and I have to say, I love it so much more than the original 😊
he's an actual angel
this is the most beautiful thing i’ve ever seen
Incredible!
This is the best video on TH-cam.
the guy on the back approves
I've watched this well over 100 times. Never gets old.
I still can't get over this
Mind blowing. Absolutely phenomenal performance.
Oww it's so beautifull😍😍😍
Honestly I'm crying I love him so much and this is such a good performance. I cry.