John Emil Augustine
Quick Facts
PiscesBiography
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. His musical career spans four decades (1987–present); 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 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. Augustine grew up in Minneapolis, MN. His undergraduate degrees include English, music, and general education from a Minneapolis/St. Paul College. Augustine earned a MFA in Adult Education at the University of Minnesota as well as a MFA in Communications.
Career
Musical career
Much of Augustine’s musical career has been kept under wraps, but two full-length albums were nonetheless released in 2014, 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.
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. Notably, Augustine holds sole writing, performance, and production credits on an album with instrumentation as varied as didgeridoo, hammered dulcimer, and steel drum.
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.
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.
In 2014, Augustine indicated plans to return to public performance after a ten-year hiatus. 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. 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.Shortly after, Jake Pool left the group and David Towner joined.
Literary career
June 22, 2012 marked the beginning of Augustine's literary career when his self-published, self-edited memoir, a 72,000 word novel entitled Love Seen from Hell, first became available in the burgeoning indie literature market as a Smashwords ebook. The book itself was fashioned from Augustine's personal Facebook messages to a friend in an abusive relationship. The two follow-ups, Love Seen from Heartache and Love Seen from Healing, 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Augustine is using his From the Abyss series to raise community awareness about the widespread existence of domestic abuse. To this end, he is also a co-founder of and volunteer for the online help group Coping With Emotional Abuse.
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.
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."
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."
Discography
- (1992) Gloved Rabbit
- (1993) Floor Pan
- (1993) Strings and Teeth
- (1994) A Model Airplane
- (1994) Television
- (1995) Gettin' the Gang Back Together
- (1996) Wap Wap Wah-Ooh
- (1996) 10 Rough Dorm Room Recordings
- (1997) Goodbye Teeth
- (1998) Camden
- (2001) Divorce
- (2003) Piscean Experiments
- (2004) 'Cilla
- (2005) 1701 Grand Christmas
- (2006) Summer In the City
- (2007) Thanksgiving
- (2008) Carver
- (2009) Dragon Intern Soundtrack
- (2010) Valentine's Day
- (2011) Navarre
- (2011) Occupy
- (2012) Lughnasadh - Mabon - Samhain
- (2013) Promotional Odds 'N Ends
- (2014) Chants for Renewal, Presence and Awareness
- (2014) Postcards from the Abyss (Compilation)
- (2014) Blueprint
- (2015) Boots On the Ground
- (2016) Honey 1.6.16
- (2016) Need the Love