Former Augustana frontman Dan Layus performing at Songbirds

For 12 years, Dan Layus was known as the frontman and creative force behind American roots-rock band Augustana.

After years of touring, which took them from basements to amphitheaters, the band as a unit had run its course and the members disbanded. Layus, however, decided to keep the name and subsequently released another album and toured twice more as Augustana.

In 2013, he moved to Nashville, where he found a home in the songwriter community, penning songs for country artists and pop artists alike. In this new endeavor he also found something even more valuable - the new sound he had been searching for since the inception of Augustana.

He revealed that new side of his music in 2016's "Dangerous Things." The lyrics talked about life's struggles and its simple joys. Harmonies were provided by Muscle Shoals, Alabama's own Secret Sisters.

Fans will hear that music when Layus plays at Songbirds Guitar Museum Thursday, June 7, at 7 p.m.

Of the new music, Layus explains, "I always knew this album was out there waiting, I just had to let it come to me. That was the most challenging part of this record.

"It was three years of repeatedly realizing I was trying too hard to write a perfect song. It all started to make sense and feel good as soon as I stopped treating songwriting like it was songwriting. Somewhere along the way I decided that if an idea was going to turn into a song on this album, then it had to be written organically and purely. It had to be an inspired moment that was unfolding melodically, musically and lyrically, all while making me feel something. Subsequently, that's how I recorded the songs - I played the song live a few times in front of some microphones and when I felt something real happen, we moved onto the next one."