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Augustines (formerly We Are Augustines) were an American
indie rock Indie rock is a Music subgenre, subgenre of rock music that originated in the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand from the 1970s to the 1980s. Originally used to describe independent record labels, the term became associated with the mu ...
band based in
Brooklyn Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...
,
New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...
consisting of guitarist William McCarthy, multi-instrumentalist Eric Sanderson and drummer Rob Allen. Augustines were known for their intense shows and heavy interaction with the audience. Numerous shows saw the band leave the stage to perform on the floor with the fans.


History

Following the break-up of their former band Pela, McCarthy and Sanderson decided to continue producing the songs that were originally supposed to comprise Pela's second studio album. The album, titled ''Rise Ye Sunken Ships'', was released digitally on June 6, 2011. In September 2016 they announced that their fall tour was to be their last, following the break up of the band. The band derived its name from the month of August. Both McCarthy and Sanderson were born in August, as was McCarthy's brother, James. James' story is one of the major influences behind their first album. Pela also dissolved very quickly ("In the span of two weeks") in August 2009. Originally, the new band was named Augustines. Since there were other bands with the same name, they changed the name to We Are Augustines. In August 2013, the band announced via YouTube that they would return to using the name Augustines.


Formation and debut album

Material for Augustines' debut album originated when, with Pela, McCarthy wrote dozens of songs and Sanderson contributed many demos of his own. The band had close to 40 songs to pick from. Even though the album was nearly complete, they were unhappy with the results and wanted to re-record the material. "We had to do it twice because it just wasn’t strong," Sanderson said. Throughout the recording (and re-recording) process, the band fought with its record label, its manager and amongst themselves. Soon after, McCarthy learned his brother James had committed
suicide Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Mental disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders), physical disorders (such as chronic fatigue syndrome), and s ...
. With all the issues surrounding the band, "Pela was unable to survive the storm," Sanderson said. After deciding to part ways with the other two members of Pela, McCarthy and Sanderson eventually decided to finish the album. Having been through a terrible experience with the music labels and industry, "We knew that we wanted to proceed independently, but actually taking that on was a whole other challenge." With support from the indie music community, specifically John Richards of KEXP, they were able to finish the record. The album was produced by David Newfeld, who is best known for his work with Broken Social Scene. Their first performance of the new material, still under the original name Augustines, was for Richards and KEXP at the Cutting Room Studios on October 18, 2010. They released ''Rise Ye Sunken Ships'' independently on June 6, 2011 as a digital-only copy on
iTunes iTunes () is a software program that acts as a media player, media library, mobile device management utility, and the client app for the iTunes Store. Developed by Apple Inc., it is used to purchase, play, download, and organize digital mul ...
. Prior to the release of their first album, the band announced that Rob Allen had joined the band as the full-time drummer.


''Rise Ye Sunken Ships'' (2011)

'' Rise Ye Sunken Ships'' was released in CD format in North America, Australia, and New Zealand on August 23, 2011. The album was released worldwide on March 5, 2012. The band then began a UK tour in support of the album in October 2011. The album has been received positively by critics with '' The Sun'' and Music Fix naming the first single released in the UK, "Book of James", their single of the week. The album covers a lot of very difficult subjects, the most prominent of these subjects are the untimely deaths of McCarthy's mother and brother. Rob Allen, the band's drummer, states that while there is a heavy focus on the painful subjects throughout the album the band also has a deep sense of positivity and hope. "The songs are about topics that happened over a period of time. They have a lot of meaning to us, especially Bill and that won't change, but, if anything, we are living proof that things can get better, opportunities can come your way and that is worth celebrating! We are jovial, energetic people who want to enjoy life and I think that's what you see when we perform." The band traveled extensively in the British Isles and Europe in support of the album, performing at festivals such as
Pukkelpop Pukkelpop is an annual music festival that takes place near the city of Hasselt, Belgium, in mid- to late August. It is held within a large enclosure of fields and woodland—adjacent to a dual carriageway called ''Kempische Steenweg''—in the ...
, Reading & Leeds and large venues such as Shepherd's Bush. In 2014, the band toured the U.S. supporting
Frightened Rabbit Frightened Rabbit were a Scottish indie rock band from Selkirk, formed in 2003. Initially a solo project for vocalist and guitarist Scott Hutchison, the final lineup of the band consisted of Hutchison, his brother Grant (drums), Billy Kennedy ...
. In June 2011, the music video for "Chapel Song" won the title of best music video at the Los Angeles Art-House film festival. In March 2012 the band recorded a session at
Abbey Road Studios Abbey Road Studios (formerly EMI Recording Studios) is a recording studio at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music c ...
We Are Augustines At Abbey Road Studios – YouTube
/ref> The band released the video for the third single to be taken from ''Rise Ye Sunken Ships'', "Juarez", on April 11, 2012.


''Augustines'' (2014)

In late 2013, the band spent several weeks in the studio of producer Peter Katis (Frightened Rabbit, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Jónsi Birgisson) working on their self-titled second album, ''
Augustines Augustinians are members of Christian religious orders that follow the Rule of Saint Augustine, written in about 400 AD by Augustine of Hippo. There are two distinct types of Augustinians in Catholic religious orders dating back to the 12th–13 ...
''. Upon completion of the album (released in early 2014) the band embarked on their first headlining U.S. tour, selling out most shows well in advance. Augustines returned to the UK in early April, and spent a great deal of the summer doing European festivals. After further US dates in the autumn, they returned to Europe. The band finished the year with a triumphant gig in front of 3000 at the London Roundhouse. This was filmed for use in a documentary about the band called ''Rise''. In August 2015, the band completed a UK/Europe tour and began work on their third album.


''This Is Your Life'' and break up (2016)

Augustines released their third album, ''This Is Your Life'' on June 10. It was announced on September 6 that their upcoming shows later in the year would be their last due to financial constraints. Augustines played their final show on October 31, 2016 at the O2 Academy in
Liverpool Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. With a population of in 2019, it is the 10th largest English district by population and its metropolitan area is the fifth largest in the United Kingdom, with a popul ...
. They ended with 'Cruel City', from their second album. The entire show was broadcast via Facebook Live.


Post-Augustines

In 2017, McCarthy released his first solo album, ''Shelter.'' Produced by Sanderson, the album featured input from Allen, Pela drummer Tomislav Zovich, and Augustines regular Yannis Panos. Sanderson also released his own solo project in 2017, ''Audio Journal Vol. 1: Bringing the Past to Light.'' McCarthy is planning to release his second studio album in 2019.


Discography

;Albums *'' Rise Ye Sunken Ships'' (Oxcart Records, 2011) No. 186 US, No. 61 UK *''
Augustines Augustinians are members of Christian religious orders that follow the Rule of Saint Augustine, written in about 400 AD by Augustine of Hippo. There are two distinct types of Augustinians in Catholic religious orders dating back to the 12th–13 ...
'' (2014) No. 141 US, No. 42 UK, No. 98 GER *''
This Is Your Life This Is Your Life may refer to: Television * ''This Is Your Life'' (American franchise), an American radio and television documentary biography series hosted by Ralph Edwards * ''This Is Your Life'' (Australian TV series), the Australian versio ...
'' (2016) No. 67 UK ;EPs *''Rock the Vote'' (2012) *''iTunes Session'' (2012)


Notable live appearances

*
Counting Crows Counting Crows is an American rock band from San Francisco, California. Formed in 1991, the band consists of guitarist David Bryson, drummer Jim Bogios, vocalist Adam Duritz, keyboardist Charlie Gillingham, David Immerglück, bass guitarist Mil ...
US Tour, Support (July–August 2012) * The Boxer Rebellion UK Tour, Main support (March 2011) * The Boxer Rebellion US Tour, Main support (April 2011) * Daytrotter Barnstormer Tour (August 2011) * Austin City Limits, Zilker Park, Austin, Texas (September 16–18, 2011) * KEXP Radio Live (October 2011) *BrooklynVegan CMJ Day Party (October 2011) *
XFM Radio X is a British National commercial radio station focused on alternative music, primarily indie rock, and owned by Global. Radio X launched in 1989 as a pirate radio station, a licensed London-wide station in 1997 and nationally in 2015 ...
Winter Wonderland (December 2011) *
The Kaiser Chiefs Kaiser Chiefs are an English indie rock band from Leeds who formed in 2000 as Parva, releasing one studio album, ''22'', in 2003, before renaming and establishing themselves in their current name that same year. Since their formation the band h ...
UK Tour, Main support (December 2011) * Band of Skulls US Tour, Main support (March 2012) * Coachella 2012, Main Stage (April 2012) *
Sasquatch! Music Festival Sasquatch! Music Festival was an annual music festival held at The Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington, United States. It took place on Memorial Day weekend, running for three to four days. In 2018, it was announced that the festival was ...
2012, Quincy Washington, Yeti Stage (May 2012) *
Counting Crows Counting Crows is an American rock band from San Francisco, California. Formed in 1991, the band consists of guitarist David Bryson, drummer Jim Bogios, vocalist Adam Duritz, keyboardist Charlie Gillingham, David Immerglück, bass guitarist Mil ...
Outlaw Roadshow Tour, Brooklyn, New York (July 2012) * Flèche d'Or, Paris, France (October 20, 2012) *
O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire Shepherd's Bush Empire (currently known as O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire for sponsorship reasons, and formerly known as the BBC Television Theatre) is a music venue in Shepherd's Bush, West London, run by the Academy Music Group. It was originally ...
(October 2012) *
Frightened Rabbit Frightened Rabbit were a Scottish indie rock band from Selkirk, formed in 2003. Initially a solo project for vocalist and guitarist Scott Hutchison, the final lineup of the band consisted of Hutchison, his brother Grant (drums), Billy Kennedy ...
US Tour, Main Support (September – October 2013) *
Sasquatch! Music Festival Sasquatch! Music Festival was an annual music festival held at The Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington, United States. It took place on Memorial Day weekend, running for three to four days. In 2018, it was announced that the festival was ...
2014, Quincy Washington, Sasquatch (Main) Stage (May 2014) *
Manchester Cathedral Manchester Cathedral, formally the Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Mary, St Denys and St George, in Manchester, England, is the mother church Mother church or matrice is a term depicting the Christian Church as a mother ...
(December 1, 2014).


TV appearances

*
Late Show with David Letterman
' (February 24, 2012) * '' Last Call with Carson Daly'' (April 27, 2012) * ''
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno ''The Tonight Show with Jay Leno'' is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jay Leno that first aired from May 25, 1992, to May 29, 2009. It resumed production on March 1, 2010 and ended on February 6, 2014. The fourth incarnation of the ...
'' (June 14, 2012)


Singles and music videos

*"Chapel Song", Director: Matthew Mills, Released: 14 February 2011 *"Book of James", Director:
Matt Amato Matt Amato is an American film writer and director. His major works include music videos for artists such as Barbra Streisand, Beach House, Bon Iver, Dido, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Soko, and Wild Nothing. He also co-founded the Los Ange ...
, Released: 10 October 2011 *"Juarez", Director:
Matt Amato Matt Amato is an American film writer and director. His major works include music videos for artists such as Barbra Streisand, Beach House, Bon Iver, Dido, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Soko, and Wild Nothing. He also co-founded the Los Ange ...
, Released: 11 April 2012 *"Cruel City", Director: Bryan Schlam, Released: 7 October 2013 *"Nothing to Lose But Your Head", Released: 5 January 2014


References


External links


WilliamMcCarthy.org
(William McCarthy's Official Website)
Sanderson.audio
(Eric Sanderson's Official Website)
Oxcart Records

Xfm Sessions – Augustines

Billy McCarthy interview with NPR's All Things Considered

BBC – Music – Review of Rise Ye Sunken Ships – Augustines
{{Authority control Indie rock musical groups from New York (state) Musical groups from Brooklyn Musical groups established in 2010 Musical groups disestablished in 2016 2010 establishments in New York (state)