John Emil Augustine

John Emil Augustine

John Emil Augustine

John Emil Augustine 2013 Promotional Photo
Background information
Birth name Unknown
Born (1975-03-12) March 12, 1975
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Genres Rock, folk, art rock, world music, literary realism, narrative nonfiction
Occupation(s) Teacher, novelist, short story writer, singer-songwriter, musician, vocalist, producer, composer, arranger
Instruments Vocals, guitar, mandolin, piano, organ, keyboards, synthesizers, didgeridoo
Years active 1987–present
Labels Master Koda
Website www.johnemilaugustine.com
Notable instruments
Hammond organ
Fender Rhodes
Gibson L-4
Fender Telecaster

John Emil Augustine (born March 12, 1975) is an American novelist, short story writer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and teacher. Augustine’s literary works are best known for their emphasis on the author’s own spousal abuse at the hands of a mentally unstable wife and the effects of that abuse on subsequent relationships. Less than a year after its release, his first novel, From the Abyss (2013), was recognized as one of the “50 Self-Published Books Worth Reading” by Indie Author Land, 2013/14.[1] His musical career spans four decades (1987–present);[2] however, little information has been released by Augustine himself regarding his career in music. His participation in the Minneapolis music scene is alluded to in his memoir-oriented novels[3] as well as in subsequent interviews.

Early life and education

Much of Augustine’s early life and educational details have been kept under wraps to quell the threat of continued abuse.[4] Augustine grew up in Minneapolis, MN. His undergraduate degrees include English, music, and general education from a Minneapolis/St. Paul College.[5] Augustine earned a MFA in Adult Education at the University of Minnesota[6] as well as a MFA in Communications.[6][7]

Career

Musical career

Much of Augustine’s musical career has been kept under wraps,[4] but two full-length albums were nonetheless released in 2014,[8] the second of which, Postcards from the Abyss (2014), features material dating back as far as 1992. A June 2014 interview indicates the existence of material dating back to 1987, five years prior to the time span of the release.[2]

Augustine's first release, Chants for Renewal, Presence, and Awareness (2014), earned him a number one spot on ReverbNation's World music charts in February 2014.[9] Notably, Augustine holds sole writing, performance, and production credits[10] on an album with instrumentation as varied as didgeridoo, hammered dulcimer, and steel drum.[11]

In October 2016, as a lead-up to the 20th Anniversary release of Need the Love, Augustine mass-released two EPs, sixteen full albums, eight double albums, and one triple album (27 in all) spanning 24 years (1992-2016) on YouTube. Notably, the rarely heard Divorce Tapes, which coincide with Augustine’s first From the Abyss novel, were included in the mass release.[12]

Augustine "toured in his twenties and early thirties with local and national acts; writing, arranging, and performing with notable jazz, blues, gospel, reggae, post funk, prog rock, and folk groups." One such act alluded to has been with a member of the Jamaican reggae and ska band The Wailers.[7]

In 2014, Augustine indicated plans to return to public performance after a ten-year hiatus.[2] In 2015, an official announcement via Augustine's website divulged the name of his group, The JEA Combo, as well as the names of his hand-selected veteran bandmates: Richard Novy (The Cornbread Harris Band), Jake Pool (Puafua), and Joe Frank.[13] The combo's first appearance was as a headliner for Ars Bellum Foundation's "Boots On the Ground" fundraiser for veterans with PTSD produced by Mistresses of Metal and Toxic Twins. [14] Shortly after, Jake Pool left the group and David Towner joined.[15]

Literary career

June 22, 2012 marked the beginning of Augustine's literary career when his self-published, self-edited memoir,[16] a 72,000 word novel entitled Love Seen from Hell, first became available in the burgeoning indie literature market as a Smashwords ebook.[17] The book itself was fashioned from Augustine's personal Facebook messages to a friend in an abusive relationship.[18] The two follow-ups, Love Seen from Heartache[19] and Love Seen from Healing,[20] also appeared as self-published Smashwords ebooks within the span of a year.

Augustine Signed on with small press publisher Master Koda Select Publishing in 2013, and the second edition of Love Seen from Hell entitled From the Abyss was released in December 2013.[21] From the Abyss earned a number one spot on Amazon's Hot New Releases list in January 2014, as well as a number 32 spot on Amazon's Best Seller's list following the release of its follow-up.[9] In March 2014, From the Abyss II (the second edition of Love Seen from Heartache) also earned a number one spot on Amazon's Hot New Releases as well as number 16 spot on its Best Seller's list.[9] From the Abyss also earned a number 28 spot in June 2014 on Indie Author Land's “50 Self-Published Books Worth Reading," 2013/14.[1] From the Abyss III (the second edition of Love Seen From Healing) was released to a number 19 spot on Amazon's Best Seller's List in March 2015.[9]

Augustine is using his From the Abyss series to raise community awareness about the widespread existence of domestic abuse.[22] To this end, he is also a co-founder of and volunteer for the online help group Coping With Emotional Abuse.[23]

Significance of Face Painting

Augustine cites two reasons for painting his face: 1.) anonymity and 2.) to symbolize his allegiance with a group known as the Rainbow Warriors.[18]
1.) Augustine on his anonymity: "The story I am sharing is completely true except for names. In order to protect everyone involved, especially me and my family, but also my extended family including my ex-wife, I have chosen to appear incognito."[24]
2.) Augustine on his association with Rainbow Warriors: "I've had a close association with two Lakota elders who call themselves Rainbow Warriors...There is a Hopi prophecy that says once all of us mess up the planet bad enough, there will be warriors of all colors and kinds who unite to make things right...I have decided to be one because anyone can (and everyone should). I’m trying to tackle my part of it which is turning out to be understanding and discussing abuse and relationships."[24]

Discography

Bibliography

Love Seen novels

From the Abyss novels

Short stories and articles

References

  1. 1 2 "Re: The 50 Self-Published Books Worth Reading (2013/14) List". Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 "Re: John Emil Augustine's Big Surprise Interview". Retrieved July 16, 2014.content1
  3. ↑ From the Abyss (2013), pp. 11, 25-28, 39-41, 45-50, 139-142, 163, 166.
  4. 1 2 "Re: Why I Wear the Paint Video". Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  5. ↑ From the Abyss (2013), pp. 10, 26.
  6. 1 2 From the Abyss II (2014), pp. 115, 130.
  7. 1 2 "Re: Amazon Biography, John Emil Augustine". Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Re: John Emil Augustine Amazon artist page". Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Re: John Emil Augustine Accolades". Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Re: Chants for Renewal, Presence, and Awareness album notes, CD Baby". Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Re: Chant Trailer 5". Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Re: John Emil Augustine Full Albums". Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Re: The JEA Combo". Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Re: Boots On the Ground". Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Re: JEA Combo". Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Re: Blog Talk Radio Interview 9/12/12". Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Re: Love Seen From Hell Smashwords page". Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  18. 1 2 "Re: Here Is My Interview with John Emil Augustine". Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Re: Love Seen From Heartache Smashwords page". Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  20. ↑ "Re: Love Seen From Healing Smashwords page". Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Re: Master Koda Select Publishing Author's Books: From the Abyss". Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Re: Our City Radio's featured artist". Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Re: Coping With Emotional Abuse". Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  24. 1 2 "Re: Inspire to Read Interview". Retrieved July 17, 2014.

External links

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