As a high school student, Audrey Price didn’t plan on becoming a performer. For four years, the rhetoric and writing sophomore kept her songs a secret, singing softly in her closet. Then everything changed in Austin.
Since arriving at UT, Price evolved from a quiet, bedroom songwriter into a rising voice in the local indie-folk scene. Her music—honest, dynamic and influenced by female country legends—has matured from the intimacy of her debut EP, From the Floor, to a bolder, rock-influenced sound, turning heads at venues all over Austin.
The Daily Texan sat down with Price to discuss her artistic journey, releases and how she’s navigating the attention of Austin.
The Daily Texan: When did you first start writing and performing music?
Audrey Price: I first started writing music in ninth grade but for four years, literally all of high school, I didn’t show anyone. I kept it in my room. When I came to college, I was like, ‘Well, I’m going to Austin. It’s the Music City; I might as well.’ And I started showing people. (The) summer going into college, I started, finally, playing in front of my friends. Then I got signed to UTalent, I performed for them in my audition, and I had my first show in November of 2024.
DT: What drew you to the indie-folk sound specifically?
AP: I started out singing in my room, so it was very quiet. All I had was this really cheap classical guitar that I bought, and I played cello in middle school, so I was very drawn to acoustic styles. And because I sang quiet, I just liked quiet music. How I play reflects how I’ve also grown (in) my confidence musically. My EP was kind of like a time capsule of me coming out of my shell. You can hear (it) in “Theoretical,” the first song I recorded. That’s what drew me to indie folk. DIY music is the indie part of it, and the folk is the quiet singer-songwriter in me.
DT: What has it been like breaking into Austin’s music scene as a young artist?
AP: It’s so funny. Everyone always thinks you’re older than you are. Everyone thinks I’m an adult, out of college. I’m like, ‘Oh no, I’m 19.’ Playing on Red River is always like that, because it’s all adults. When you go out of the little West Campus bubble, it’s good … but it’s so funny because you’re this kid in the middle of Austin playing shows and working with a bunch of people that are at least 10 years older than you. It’s definitely, for lack of better words, a side quest. You never know what to expect. I’ve had a lot of funny experiences and you meet the best people. I wouldn’t change it. I love it.
DT: How important has the UT music community been in your development as an artist?
AP: The music community here at UT, and in Austin, it’s so organic, so unique. Everyone’s always trying to do something, everyone’s always trying to help, and that’s been so important. I’ve had so many amazing band members along the way, as my band’s evolved. Last minute, I need a drummer, and this random drummer will come and literally improv a show, and they’re happy to do it. It’s so cool to see how everyone’s so willing to show up for each other. Sometimes it can get so competitive and cutthroat, and that’s just not what music is supposed to be. It’s supposed to be a community. And I think the UT community does that really well.
