Starter List: Augustines

It's been WAY TOO long since I've posted one of these!

I’m not going to pretend I’ve been consistent or that I don’t know why it’s been hard to post this month. Even taking out politics and government, which are DEFINITELY part of my malaise, there’s plenty that’s been keeping me in a funk. As a social media marketer, all the Meta hullabaloo and ridiculosity has been weighing on me.

And the fact that I know the best course of action is to wait and see hasn’t helped.

Music, as always, has been my balm.

But I realized that allowing things I cannot change, as well as things that will take tons of time and effort to change, from doing what I enjoy (hanging out here and on Threads) isn’t doing anything except making me feel bad.

I choose music and music discovery to help me even out and keep on an even keel throughout anything this week, this year, and the remaining four years, can throw at me.

Augustines

I first stumbled upon Augustines, formerly known as We Are Augustines, during a dive into a YouTube rabbit hole. It was the video for “Chapel Song” that grabbed me. The video grabbed my attention with it’s simple, but appealing message, but Billy McCartthy’s emotional and gritty vocals that launched me into their discography.

While I was late to the listening party, I caught up quickly. Learning as much as I could about the trio and their albums. Learning that Rise Ye Sunken Ships, and especially “Book of James” were a tribute to McCarthy’s brother who died by suicide, the grit and emotion meant all the more.

Eric Sanderson’s impressive music skills enhance and underscore the brutal heartache and honesty of McCarthy’s vocals.

“And here lies my green eyes
Rolled back in my head but they're alive
And all the words can all get spoken
Well I know we tried and you're forgiven”

The Playlists

It wasn’t easy, even though the band only released three albums, to create a short, yet encompassing, starter list. It pained me to leave songs out, but in the end I felt these eight songs best showcased what I love about this band and their music.

There’s no Apple Music playlist this time around, as they don’t include the band’s pivotal first album. And the playlist without those songs doesn’t share the way I want it to.

There you have it. My first 2025 starter list, and one that means quite a lot to me. Let me know if you feel even a fraction of the feels that I do every time I listen.