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

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

[2] 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.

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.

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

On October 17, 2014, Winkler posted via his official Instagram account that he had signed to Universal Music Group[4] 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.

"[11][12] 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.

The tracks were, "Phoneline To Heaven", "America Whatever", a new song he just finished writing titled "SuperJaded" and a surprise bonus[according to whom?]

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

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

[18] 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.

[19][20] Austin released a new single titled "American Dreams" on June 24, 2022, accompanied with the official music video.