Augustana @ Webster Hall, NYC Feb. 2, 2007

I moved about a week ago and I didn't get a chance to post these pictures prior to packing up my desktop. I now have the computer unpacked and online so...

Augustana played a strong set at Webster Hall earlier this month and worked approx. six new songs into the set. The main floor of Webster Hall was full before the band took the stage and the band held the crowd's attention throughout their set. The band started the set off strong and I believe the opening song was Bullets (two weeks seems so long ago). Boston was played right before the band finished their set and the crowd went nuts. For the encore, Vega4 came out to join Augustana on an all-out version of All The Stars and Boulevards.

Vega4 @ Webster Hall, NYC Feb. 2, 2007

Vega4 played a very strong 6 song set opening for Augustana on Friday night. The floor at Webster Hall was pretty full by the time the band took the stage and the band completely held the crowd's attention during their set. For this being the band's first tour, they already have a strong stage presence and their obvious enthusiasm was catchy. Vega4's CD hasn't yet been released in the US but the crowd seemed to know all of the songs. With this strong of a show, it seems likely that Vega4 will be headlining the tour on their next time through the area.

Augustana - All The Stars and Boulevards CD Review

This CD falls outside of the genre that I normally listen to but I have really enjoyed this disc. After repeated plays, the music continues to hold my attention.

I wasn't that familiar with the band prior to getting this CD so I have been doing some online research just to see what others are saying. I think Augustana gets incorrectly lumped into the "piano rock" genre. While there are some piano-based songs on this disc, the brunt of the disc isn't that close to Keane or The Fray. A closer comparison would be to The Hooters or The Goo Goo Dolls. What I really like about this disc is that Dan Layus' voice isn't mixed above the band so this really comes across as a complete work by a proficient band and not a singer/songwriter with a backing band.

A lot of the online reviews that I read focus on the track Boston, which is the CD's piano ballad. I think Bullets and Mayfield are much stronger tracks and are more indicative of the rest of the CD. Both of these tracks are catchy mid-tempo rock songs and have strong melodies and choruses. I also really enjoyed the song Feel Fine which channels the vibe of the early 80s California bands like The Plimsouls and The Beat.

I don't care much for some of the slower tracks on the disc (like California's Burning and Wasteland) as they seem to drag but, overall, this is a solid CD by an up-and-coming band. They are definately worth checking out.

Augustana is playing at Webster Hall on February 2nd with support from Vega4.

Augustana CD Giveaway

Contest is now closed and winners notified. Thanks for everyone who entered. Look for a new contest coming soon.

I have 5 copies of the latest CD from Augustana to give away. Just click on the Contest Entry link below and send us your full name and mailing address. One entry per person please.

All entries must be received no later than January 31, 2007. Winners will be notified via E-Mail.

Contest Entry

For more info on Augustana, check out these links:

Augustana's Main Website

Augustana on MySpace

Augustana Performing Live on VH1

Vega4 Playing Webster Hall on Feb. 2nd

London's Vega4 is touring the US with Augustana and will be at Webster Hall on February 2nd. Fans of U2 and Snow Patrol should really check out the band as this should be a great show. Tickets are only $18 and are still available through Ticketweb.

Vega4's latest CD You and Others was released in the UK late last year and a US release is scheduled for sometime this year. Vega4 has already gotten some buzz in the US when their single Life Is Beautiful [MP3, 5MB] was featured in a Nov. '06 episode of Grey's Anatomy. The band also topped the Irish charts with You And Me, the lead-off song from the CD. This CD was produced by Garret "Jackknife" Lee who has done production work for U2 (How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb), Snow Patrol, Kasbian and many other.

Check out the band's promo video for You and Me on YouTube