Augustana

Augustana
Augustana, Chicago 2010
Background information
Origin	San Diego, California, USA
Genres	Rock, roots rock, indie rock
Years active	2003–present
Labels	Epic
Associated acts	The Last Almanac
Website	www.augustanamusic.com
Members	Dan Layus David Lamoureux Jay Barclay Jordan Lamoureux
Past members	Jared Palomar Justin South John Vincent Josiah Rosen Josh Calhoun Chris Sachtleben Kyle Baker Nik Ewing Simeon Lohrmann Thomas Lesnick

Augustana is an American rock band from San Diego, California who were signed to the Epic Records record label until late 2011.[1] They are best known for their singles, "Boston" and "Sweet and Low."

Beginning years

In Autumn 2002 at Greenville College in Illinois, Dan Layus brought friends Josiah Rosen, Kyle Baker, and Simeon Lohrmann together to create music. They started out by re-recording the song "More than a Love Song" which Dan had written for his high school girlfriend while living in California. They originally wanted to call themselves The Looking Glass, but after discovering another band of the same name they chose "Augustana" instead. A full length debut album, Midwest Skies and Sleepless Mondays was recorded in the home recording studio of Jon King. The album was released in the Spring of 2003 and only 1000 copies were produced. Later that year the band recorded and released 25 copies of the Mayfield EP.[2]

Dan Layus decided to move back to Southern California with band mate Josiah Rosen, where they eventually found their drummer, Justin South. The band joined numerous tours with artists such as Switchfoot, Maroon 5, The Fray, Counting Crows, Dashboard Confessional, O.A.R., Snow Patrol, The Damnwells, Goo Goo Dolls, Acceptance, Cartel, and OneRepublic, as well as having their own headlining tours.

All the Stars and Boulevards (2005-2007)

All the Stars and Boulevards was released September 6, 2005 and reached #1 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart and #96 on the Billboard Top 200 chart.[3] The first single from the album, Boston, was released in 2005. This version differs from the one on their debut album, Midwest Skies and Sleepless Mondays. The album was made available exclusively at Best Buy stores, and the Best Buy website, where it was sold out by the following day. The new features on this re-release are a re-mixed version of "Wasteland"; a new track named "Marie"; and acoustic versions and music videos of "Boston" and "Stars and Boulevards". Their most recognizable song is "Boston" which made it all the way to 34 on the Billboard top 100, as well as appearing on television shows Scrubs, Smallville and One Tree Hill. A cover version by Leonard also appeared on The Big Bang Theory.

Josiah Rosen left the band and has since has signed with Appeal Records as The Last Almanac. The label is releasing A Memoir in 2008.

At the beginning of 2007, the band embarked on their second headlining tour, supported by Vega 4. The band also opened for Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional on his first solo tour since the re-release of The Swiss Army Romance, in late 2007.

Can't Love, Can't Hurt (2008-2010)

The band released their third album, Can't Love, Can't Hurt, on April 29, 2008. The first single from the album is titled "Sweet and Low". The second single, "I Still Ain't Over You" reached #22 on the Adult album alternative chart.

On May 1, 2008, the band appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Several songs from Can't Love, Can't Hurt have appeared in many television shows. The song "Twenty Years" appeared on One Tree Hill and on Numb3rs; "Hey Now" appeared on General Hospital; "Fire" was used on Friday Night Lights.

The band had to cancel their European/North American tour for fall 2010.

Augustana (Present)

Augustana's self-titled, fourth full-length album was released on April 26, 2011. The album's lead single, "Steal Your Heart", was planned for a radio release on February 14 in order to coincide with Valentine's Day, but was released early on the 8th of February on AOL Music.[4] Another song off the album "Just Stay Here Tonight" was used in an episode of Private Practice. "Steal Your Heart" was also used in the extended length Degrassi promo for the 11th season.

In early 2011, John Vincent left the band for an undisclosed reason and was replaced by previous Augustana band member, David Lamoureux.

They were featured on the Late Show with David Letterman and sang, "Steal Your Heart"

Sales of 'Augustana' were disappointing and the band was dropped from Epic's roster shortly after the Album's release.

On 11 November 2011, Augustana announced that 'some members have parted ways' however 'Augustana will continue to tour and perform.'

On 27 November 2011, David Lamoureux announced on his website that he will join the band alongside Dan Layus, Jay Barclay, and his brother, Jordan Lamoureux.

On 12 June 2012, According to Dan Layus' Instagram update Augustana is "Putting the finishing touches on the new record".

Band Members

Last Line-up

• Dan Layus
• Jordan Lamoureux
• Jay Barclay
• David Lamoureux

Former Members

• Jared Palomar (bass guitar, vocals)
• Chris Sachtleben (lead guitar, vocals)
• Justin South (drums)
• Josiah Rosen (lead guitar, vocals)
• Kyle Baker (drums)
• Simeon Lohrmann (bass guitar)
• Josh Calhoun (drums)
• John Vincent (piano, organ, keyboards, vocals)
• Thomas Lesnick (drums)

References

1. ^ "Under "Record Label"". [1]. Retrieved 2012-01-20. 
2. ^ "Interview: Jared Palomar of Augustana « Dirtbag’s Delight". Dirtbagsdelight.wordpress.com. 2008-02-12. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-19. 
3. ^ "Augustana: Artist Chart History"accessdate=2008-02-20". Billboard.com. 
4. ^ Augustana "Steal Your Heart" Song Exclusive music.aol.com 2011-02-08 Retrieved 2011-02-12
5. ^ a b http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/472145/augustana-owns-its-sound-on-self-titled-third-album
6. ^ a b c d "Augustana - Awards". allmusic. Retrieved January 23, 2013. 

External links

• Official site
• Myspace page