Austin John

Austin John Winkler (born October 25, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician best known for being the former lead singer of the American rock band Hinder.

Since his departure from Hinder, Winkler has continued his career, but as a solo artist, under the name Austin John.

On November 10, 2013, it was announced via Loudwire that Hinder had officially parted ways with Winkler, stating, "We hold no animosity towards Austin, and wish him the best. Although it was a difficult decision, it was the best thing for everyone involved and time for us to move on. This summer and fall tour was a tough one. We want to thank the fans for all their overwhelming support."

It was confirmed by Winkler through a statement.

Soon after the announcement that he and Hinder had parted ways, Winkler quickly stated he would continue his career as a solo artist.

In August 2013, a video posted on YouTube by Hugo Ferreira of the band Tantric revealed that Ferreria and Winkler had established a very good friendship and that Winkler was help writing songs for Tantric's then-upcoming album 37 Channels.

Tantric's 37 Channels album was released on September 17, 2013, and Winkler was featured on two tracks titled "Bullet" and "Fault".

Winkler performed the song "Fault" with Tantric, Winkler co-wrote the song with Tantric lead singer Hugo Ferreira in the summer of 2013, the song is featured on the album 37 Channels with Winkler providing guest vocals.

On October 17, 2014, Winkler posted via his official Instagram account that he had signed to Universal Music Group as a solo artist.

On November 8, 2014, Winkler performed as a special guest alongside Tantric at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, California on a stop while on their Blue Room Archives tour.

Winkler's first release as a solo artist, a six-song EP titled Love Sick Radio was released on April 22, 2016.

As of the first quarter of 2022, Winkler has released two new singles from his upcoming solo project, using his full name "Austin John Winkler" – the tracks "SuperJaded" and "Phoneline" were released for purchase on January 21, 2022, and March 25, 2022, with official music videos being posted to YouTube.

On June 24, 2022 Winkler released his latest single titled "American Dreams" via all major digital music distributors.

Winkler was one of the founding members of Hinder and recorded a total of one EP (Far From Close), four studio albums (Extreme Behavior, Take It to the Limit, All American Nightmare, Welcome to the Freakshow) and released 24 singles to radio while with them during his 12-year tenure with the band.

Winkler announced on April 18, 2016, that his debut six-song EP Love Sick Radio will be released on April 22, 2016, via Amazon.

Austin performed his debut solo show on July 7, 2016, at the Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood, California.

Since Austin has announced shows throughout Texas and Nashville, Tennessee in August 2016.

Austin also announced that he is still currently recording for his debut full-length LP which should be released sometime in 2017.

He added to the fans overwhelming support for the song "Phoneline to Heaven" it will be mastered and added to the record.

On June 9, 2017, Winkler announced his first major tour as a solo artist: he would embark on the Love Sick Radio tour in the fall of 2017 with Smile Empty Soul and Madame Mayhem as his support.

On August 30, 2017, it was announced that his former band-mates in Hinder were suing him for trademark infringement, the lawsuit alleged that Winkler was using Hinder's logo to promote his solo performances, the lawsuit stated that Winkler signed a Leaving Member Agreement when he departed the band, "acknowledging that he has no rights in the (trademark), or to promotional use of the name Hinder, and accepting a very limited license for use of the mark under certain express restrictions."

After wrapping up his fall 2017 tour with Smile Empty Soul and Autum Rove, Winkler put a hiatus on his music career, remaining inactive for over two years and rarely posted updates on his social media accounts with the exception of a couple of posts in January and February 2018, one being a preview clip of a new song he recorded citing that his musical influences growing up was Eminem and Marilyn Manson, the song was originally titled "America Whatever" but was retitled and released as "American Dreams" on June 24, 2022.

Winkler announced in March 2020 that he was once again writing and recording new music for his debut solo album.

On March 13, 2020, he announced he would be hosting a "Demo Slumber Party" on his Instagram account where he would be streaming the full-length demos of a few solo songs of his he had previously shared on social media years before.

The tracks were, "Phoneline To Heaven", "America Whatever", a new song he just finished writing titled "SuperJaded" and a surprise bonus of Tina Turner's hit song "What's Love Got To Do With It", the songs were available on March 14, 2020, via his Instagram account and were removed after 24 hours.

Throughout the spring and early summer of 2020 Winkler hosted a handful of more "Demo Slumber Parties", streaming full-length demos of several more previously unreleased demo songs via his Instagram which included the tracks "Sleep Through My Pain", "Love Ain't Nothin'", "Dreams", "Maniac", "Back In The Day", "Control" and "Hey Love".

The songs have since been removed from his social media pages.

In the summer of 2020, while in quarantine from the Covid-19 Pandemic, Winkler released several Instagram live videos confirming he is in the studio and working on new music, hopefully, to be released later this year.

One of the tracks Austin played in the Instagram Live videos was a new fully recorded and finished song titled "Georgia".

A few other tracks have been played but unnamed and unreleased.

On New Year's Eve 2021, Winkler announced via his social media that he will be releasing new music on February 11, 2022.

However on January 7, 2022, he announced in a new promo video he will be moving up the release and will now release the single "Super Jaded" along with the accompanying music video on January 21, 2022.

The song will serve as the lead single for his long-awaited debut solo album.

"SuperJaded" was released January 21, 2022, as planned and was accompanied by the official music video.

On March 2, 2022, Winkler launched his first official website as a solo artist "THESUPERJADED.COM".

The site features insight on his recent challenges and the difficulties that inspired him to write "SuperJaded" along with official merchandise.

On March 5, 2022, Winkler announced via teaser video posted to his social media pages that he will be releasing more new music on March 25, 2022.

On March 11, 2022, Winkler officially announced on a social media post he will finally be releasing his long-time, fan-favorite solo song "Phoneline to Heaven" (now simply being titled as "Phoneline") on March 25, 2022, nearly 8 years after initially sharing the song via his Instagram back in mid-2014.

Austin released a new single titled "American Dreams" on June 24, 2022 accompanied with the official music video.

"American Dreams" serves as the third single from his upcoming solo project.