Interview with Augustana's Dan Layus

Augustana: “I Didn’t Know How Pivotal ‘Boston’ Would Be In My Life

The band behind the modern classic “Boston” is coming to Manila for the first time to play at this year’s Wanderland Music Festival

Image from popcrush.com

If you know Augustana then you know “Boston.” The American rock band invaded the airwaves exactly 10 years ago with their mournful but strangely comforting song about anguish and self-discovery.

The band has released four albums and a few other singles, including the equally lush “Sweet and Low,” and the tender “Steal Your Heart.” Driven by frontman Dan Layus’ warm and warbly vocals, they kept pace with the rock-alternative sound of the early 2000s, alongside other similar acts like Switchfoot, The Fray, Dashboard Confessional and others.

Augustana is one of the featured acts in this year’s Wanderland Music Festival, which will be held on April 25, 2015 at the Globe Circuit Event Grounds in Makati City. The festival will also feature headline act Kid Cudi, RAC, The Jungle Giants, Lewis Watson, Youngblood Hawke, plus local acts led by Hale, Kate Torralba, The Strange Creatures, Sinyma and many others. 

Here’s an exclusive interview with Layus, who is the sole remaining original member of the band. Excerpts:

Where are you now and what can you see outside your window?

Dan Layus: I'm currently at home in Tennessee. I can see the snow from the last winter storm out the window, most of it is thawing out. Spring feels like it's coming soon.

Please tell us your earliest musical memories. What sort of music did you listen to as a kid? 

DL: I have always loved music as long as I can remember, I don't remember many specifics before middle school but I do remember really turning into a real music lover in my high school years.

You play a lot of instruments. Which one did you learn first and do you remember the first song you learned to play on it was?

DL: The first song I ever learned to play and perform on guitar was Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” I played it at my 6th Grade talent show, without bothering trying to sing, just guitar.

I think people will always have a soft spot for your song "Boston." It's still very popular over here. I know it’s been a while, but could you talk about the song's beginnings? Did you know then that there was something pretty unique and special about it?

DL: The song was written very early in my time in college. I remember very little about the actual process other than it came very easily and very naturally. I didn't know at that time just how incredibly pivotal that song would be in my life. Even now I'm hearing of younger generations discovering the song and I couldn't be more excited and honored that the song has connected with such a wide audience for so many years now.

You're pretty much a solo act now but still carry the name Augustana. Was this a conscious decision? How much different do you think Augustana is now with how it was as a full band?

DL: I still for tour for the most part with a full band, however they are not the original lineup that started in 2003. I treasure those many years with my partners in the band and know they remember many great times as well. I felt it was unnecessary to change the name or go in a different direction with what I was doing, mostly because the material I was and am still writing just feels like "AUGUSTANA" to me. I know many fans out there hold the name and the music close to their hearts and memories, as do I.

Image from galleryhip.com

I think you have one of the most distinctive singing voices around. How protective are you of your voice? I mean, do you have a careful regimen? (No cold drinks, smoking, etc?)

DL: I find that singing more often seems to keep me in better vocal shape. The first week of a tour can be hard for me to get back in the groove with the longer sets of music, but come week 2 to 3...I begin to feel more strength and resilience after time.

Tell us about your songwriting process. How does a song start?

DL: Sometimes I deliberately take time out of the day or night to work on a song or write something (melody/lyric etc) and sometimes it just hits me while I'm doing something completely normal at any random moment of the day or night.

Which musician/band are you a fan of and would follow around on tour if you could?

DL: I'm a fan of all kinds of music. I've been listening to a lot of classic country as well as a lot of 80's alternative music, like Tears for Fears, New Order, A-Ha, Depeche Mode. I also like some newer cuts from artists like Empire of the Sun, The Presets...etc.

You're coming to the Philippines to play at Wanderland. Have you been here before? Anything you're looking forward to seeing/ experiencing while you're here?

DL: I've never been to the Philippines before and couldn't be more excited or enthusiastic to see the city of Manila and play this show.