Dan Layus, Josiah Rosen, Kyle Baker, and Simeon Lohrmann started Augustana in 2002. At the time the band members were attending Greenville College in Illinois together. Upon forming, they re-recorded a song Layus had previous written called “More Than a Love Song”. The band was originally going to be named The Looking Glass, but another local band already had the name, so they settled on Augustana. Midwest Skies and Sleepless Mondays, their self-released debut album, came out in 2003. It was followed by the Mayfield EP, which was also self-released. They relocated to Southern California and shortly thereafter Josiah Rosen joined the band. Justin South also joined the band at this time.
Augustana then toured in support of bands like Dashboard Confessional, Snow Patrol, Cartel, OneRepublic, The Fray and the Goo Goo Dolls. Their second full length All the Stars and Boulevards came out in 2005 off of Epic Records. It included the single “Boston,” which was featured on Midwest Skies and Sleepless Mondays. Rosen left the band after the release. Augustana then again went on several tours. Afterwards they released Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt and the Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt EP in 2008.
Their fourth record Augustana was released in 2011. The band left Epic Records that same year. The majority of the band members left Augustana at that point as well. Laysus stayed on, continuing to tour and perform under the name Augustana. In 2014 Layus announced that the band has signed to Washington Square Music. Life Imitating Life, the band’s first record on the new label, was released in April 2014.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Augustana at Webster Hall
125 E 11th St, New York, NY 10003
Time: 7:30 PM
Age Restriction: 18+
Tickets: $25
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