Augustana Biography

Augustana; pronounced: “August-ah-na” or “August-ann-a”

Current Members
Dan Layus: lead vocals, piano, guitar
Chris Sachtleben: lead guitar, mandolin
Jared Palomar: bass, keyboards, vocals
Justin South: drums
John Vincent: keyboard

Former Members
Kyle Baker: drums
Simeon Lohrmann: bass
Josiah Rosen: lead guitar, mandolin, vocals
David Lamoureux: keyboards, vocals
Josh Calhoun
Nik Ewing

Biography
Augustana is a band that was originally formed when its first members met at Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois. Dan Layus and Josiah Rosen had found some success with their music, so they decided to quit school and move to Los Angeles with the hope of becoming a successful, professional band. Then-bassist Simeon Lorhmann decided to stay and finish school, after which he joined the band Pennington.The new group was officially formed in California in 2004. Their first major-label album, All the Stars and Boulevards, was produced by Epic Records and catapulted them into the spotlight. The band is perhaps best known for their single, Boston, the music video for which features the lead singer on a beach full of pianos. As of February 2007 the album has sold 160,000 copies in the United States.

Augustana’s contemplative, melodic sound is characterized by numerous piano lines and the breathy vocals of frontman Layus. Josiah Rosen left the band in April of 2006 and is currently awaiting the release of his first solo record, “A Memoir,” under the name The Last Almanac.

They have been featured on numerous tours with artists such as Switchfoot, The Fray, Counting Crows, Snow Patrol, The Damnwells, Goo Goo Dolls, Acceptance, and Cartel. They are also renowned for their headlining shows which have seen them play to sold out club audiences nationwide.

At the beginning of 2006 the band embarked on their second headlining theatre tour, supported by Vega 4. Recently their debut major label album has shot to the top of the Billboards Heatseekers Chart due to the resurging success of the single Boston which was also used on the 5th season Scrubs episode His Story III.

April 29th, 2008, Augustana released their sophomore album, “Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt”. The first single off of this record was “Sweet and Low”.
Go Back