Today we’d like to introduce you to Jolie Flink.
Hi Jolie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started Mean Jolene in 2015 during a turbulent period of my life. I was. trying to make sense of a lot of emotional ups and downs. Writing songs became a way to process, and those songs eventually became Mean Jolene’s debut album, Salty. While I was trying to survive a difficult chapter, I was also having fun with the project and embracing an alter ego, which is where the name Mean Jolene comes from.
What started as a personal outlet has grown into a decade-long project and collaboration with many talented musicians and friends. Our current lineup includes Ali Ditto (guitar), Maud Morgan (bass), Jen Brown (guitar), and Philip Dunne (drums). Maud, Ali, and I have been playing and writing together for eight years, while Jen and Phil joined more recently. Over that time, we’ve fine tuned our specific flavor of indie-pop-rock and I’ve been fortunate to find bandmates who support me and believe in these songs. I love collaborating, and they’ve helped bring the music to life in ways that are really exciting and nuanced. Austin has also been an important part of my story. Each of us in the band have spent over a decade playing shows, making records, and growing alongside a supportive local music community.
Our newest album, Play Nice (released November of 2026), is a very personal record chronicling my journey through sobriety and womanhood, while grappling with themes of trauma, healing, love, and perseverance. These days, I’m proud that Mean Jolene has taken on a life of its own and has come a long way from being a response to a difficult moment. It’s been a creative home for me and our band culture has always been about connection, collaboration and respect.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When the band started, ten years ago, I had a lot of healing and growing to do, and because of that, the trajectory hasn’t always been straightforward. Things got derailed or delayed. There was the pandemic, of course, but also lineup changes and hiatuses for other reasons (spoiler alert: sobriety). That said, these experiences have become fodder for songwriting, so even setbacks find their way back into the creative process.
Beyond personal challenges, simply keeping an independent band together for ten years is bound to have ups and downs. It’s hard to make money, and it’s hard to pour so much time, energy, and emotion into something without any guarantee that it will pay off. There’s so much work that happens behind the scenes. People see the songs and the shows, but they don’t always see the logistics, marketing, scheduling, promotion, and countless hours that go into sustaining a project. I’ve struggled with burnout. I’m a sensitive, introverted person, and so much of being in a band requires being publicly accessible and constantly networking.
Five years ago, I became sober, which brought its own challenges. For a few years, I was navigating early recovery while participating in an industry/community where alcohol and drugs are often normalized, and even glorified. Learning how to stay connected to music while building a healthier relationship with myself wasn’t easy, but it ended up becoming an important part of my growth as both an individual and a songwriter.
Sobriety and the challenges that came with it relative to the music industry taught me to be thoughtful about who I invite into my creative space. I love collaborating with my bandmates and any challenges we have faced have given me a deeper appreciation for the people who have invested their time, effort and creativity to help make Mean Jolene what it is today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a songwriter, vocalist, and band leader. I am from Chicago and have a background in art and came up in Chicago’s DIY art and music community, where I found inspiration in local rock and punk scenes and, in particular, the women musicians occupying these spaces. After learning bass, joining a band, writing my first songs, performing my first shows and relocating to Austin, I deepened my practice by relearning piano, teaching myself guitar as well as recording demos at home, which became invaluable to communicate my ideas to my band.
My songwriting style comes from pairing emotional heaviness with melodic, upbeat pop-rock and transforming difficult experiences into something connective, playful, or even hopeful. I’ve always been drawn to contrasts: vulnerability and confidence, heartbreak and humor, despair and perseverance. Even when the subject matter is serious, I look for the silver lining. Musically with my band, I blend power-pop and indie rock with an emphasis on melody, layered vocal harmonies, and emotionally direct lyrics, while also experimenting with effects, textures, and guitar layering.
What I’m most proud of is the longevity of Mean Jolene, the place we hold in the local community and the band culture we’ve built. Austin has changed so much since we started and I think there is a nostalgic factor that people connect to at our shows. When we play with bands we’ve known for years, there’s a feeling in the room reminiscent of the “old” Austin music scene. It’s not just that Mean Jolene has been around for a decade; many other bands we play with have been doing this for just as long. There’s something comforting and meaningful about seeing familiar faces still making music, supporting one another, and growing together. I think it helps bridge the gap between what Austin used to be and what it’s becoming, and reminds people that the creative community that made this city special is still here.
Beyond Mean Jolene, I’ve played in a variety of local bands and tribute projects, including playing bass in Cheetah Cheetah currently and performing in a longtime Josie and the Pussycats tribute band. I love being part of Austin’s music community and contributing to a scene that has been incredibly supportive throughout my career.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I’ve had my share of both good and bad luck. Over the years, I’ve been surrounded by supportive friends, bandmates, and creative partners, both within Mean Jolene and in other projects. I genuinely love collaborating with people and building something together. Some of my most meaningful experiences have come from working alongside talented musicians who brought their own ideas, perspectives, and style to the table.
At the same time, not every experience has been positive. At times I’ve let people into my orbit who have hurt, disappointed, or disrespected me. Being a woman in a space that has been and still is so male-dominated can bring its own challenges, and I’ve had to learn to be thoughtful about who I open up to.
If I had to point to something that feels like bad luck, it might simply be that I’m an extremely sensitive person and that can be very hard in the music industry. That said, I do think it’s a double edged sword because sometimes I feel my sensitivity is one of my greatest strengths as a songwriter. It’s what allows me to connect deeply with emotions and experiences and translate them into music. But for me, it can make performing and navigating the industry more challenging. As a result, maybe by necessity, my only goal in music is to have fun, be myself and make music for music’s sake and I really think that’s the secret to longevity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.meanjolene.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meanjoleneband
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meanjolene/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@meanjoleneband
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/09ILYXs1AenaAp1aAfHgnP
