More About We Are Augustines

Posted on May 18, 2011

Brooklyn-based We Are Augustines — formed by ex-Pela members Billy McCarthy and Eric Sanderson and featuring Rob Allen on drums — will self-release their debut album, Rise Ye Sunken Ships, on August 23rd.

“Headlong Into the Abyss,” another track from the album, will be iTunes’ “Single of the Week” beginning June 7th in the U.S. & Canada.

Much of the the band’s material documents the most traumatic period of lead vocalist/guitarist Billy McCarthy’s life. His mentally ill, drug-addicted mother took her own life when he was just 19. Then, in 2009, his younger brother James, also a diagnosed schizophrenic, hung himself while at a psychiatric hospital.

“Book of James,” featured on this EP & one of several songs recorded with producer Dave Newfeld (Broken Social Scene), is a gripping eulogy for this once-resilient spirit who succumbed to the pressures bearing down on him from both within and without.

Despite the success of McCarthy and Sanderson’s former band Pela — it’s acclaimed debut, Anytown Graffiti, landing on numerous critics’ “Best of 2007” lists, sharing stages with Sonic Youth, Sleater-Kinney, The Flaming Lips and others, an appearance on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” songs licensed by such shows as “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scrubs” — Pela imploded.

“We’ve had to realign the way we approach our music,” explains Sanderson. “But we couldn’t be where we are now if Pela didn’t exist.” McCarthy concurs: “The lessons we’ve learned are like lanterns illuminating a path for us.”

We Are Augustines’ EP is avaiable for download now and goes for adds this Monday & Tuesday, 5/23 & 5/24.

For more info on We Are Augustines, visit:

www.weareaugustines.com

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