The trio, known as the Lost Saints, features Afton Addington, Chris Biano, and Derrick Casteel, three artists who coincidentally found themselves in the same place at the same time.
After their initial collaboration in 2019, the Lost Saints spent about nine months getting to know each other, hanging out, singing songs, sharing meals, and performing at small gatherings.
Biano recalled, "Friends said, 'Hey, you guys should sing something.' And we'd sing something. And there were a couple of those times that we looked at each other and we were like, 'I think we really have something.' People were mesmerized by how we sounded together."
What began as casual harmonizing between friends quickly revealed a rare, magnetic blend – three voices fitting together like pieces of a puzzle. With roots in gospel, bluegrass, and classic country, their sound combines contemporary polish with an authentic, 90s-inspired edge.
By February or March 2020, record labels began to take notice of the dynamic trio. Still, when the pandemic struck, no one was signed to a label. But they continued to create music, figuring out which songs fit their voices and resonated with others.
Influenced by the classic country vocal groups like Diamond Rio, Restless Heart, and Lonestar, the Lost Saints are determined to bring top-notch harmony back to the country music scene.
"I think it is a little bit of a lost art, and our goal is to bring that thing back," says Biano. "That mix of voices that was here since the beginning of music."
The Lost Saints have recently released their debut record, Emotions, which was masterfully produced by the studio legend, Ilya Toshinskiy. He remixed their smash hit, "I Wanna Let You," which not only showcases the trio's vocal prowess but is a fun dance tune that draws you in.
Biano stated of Toshinskiy, "He is such a genius. He knows how to blend it all together. He's done all our songs that are on this record, and you can kind of see how it makes your life so much easier to have somebody that talented doing it."
The second track off the Emotions record is "St. Joe Sunset." It's a beach song about a real place on the Gulf Coast. The song was written by Michael Mobley, who has written for Rascal Flatts. When Toshinskiy heard Casteel sing it, he was like, "Bud, this is your song forever."
"Derrick is our Gary Levox," Addington quipped. It is her favorite tune on the record.
"The One" is about finally settling down with your forever love. That person wasn't your first date, dance, or kiss, but fortunately, you are "the one who got the one that got away." The song especially resonated with Biano, who is the "married one."
Biano sings the lead of the first verse from the male perspective, and Addington sings the lead on the second verse, which puts the Lost Saints' signature on the song.
Biano was inspired to co-write "Let It Ring" by his bandmate Addington. When it came to dating, she had made a couple of bad choices. They wrote it with her in mind to sing lead, hoping that after singing it, she would realize the person she was with wasn't good for her.
Addington shared, "The first time we ever sang it live, it was at the Listening Room, and I cried on stage. There were a bunch of females in the room, and we had given the spiel a little bit. And they were like, 'Don't cry over him. You're better than that. You got this.'"
If you have ever stared at your phone and let it ring, this song is for you.
"Rain" is another love song that showcases the Lost Saints' powerful three-part harmony. The words Rain dripping off a midnight kiss/ Laying there soakin' wet/ Something I'll never forget/ The sound, the feel, the taste/ Of you and rain paint a scene that is easy to imagine.
The Emotions record is about the ups and downs of relationships. "So Far" speaks to that end. With Addington singing lead, she is hopeful that things are going to work out as she croons, "Things are looking good so far."
The only cover on the record is Vince Gill's "Go Rest High On That Mountain." If there were ever a song that needed to be sung in three-part harmony, it is this one. However, covering such an iconic song can be a little intimidating.
Biano explained, "We've never intended to do a cover, but it just felt right for us to do it and get it out, and hope that people don't burn us to the ground for not being Vince Gill."
Vince Gill would be as fond of the Lost Saints' cover as I was. Their harmony soars on the chorus, and they do the song justice.
Biano shared, "I think our mantra this year has been harmonies till it hurts. We want those harmonies mixed so hot that the mixing engineer is like, 'I don't know if this is right.' We've kind of just discovered like that's just our sound and who we are and trying to rock it."
With Emotions, the Lost Saints open a bold new chapter – reclaiming one of country music's most cherished traditions, harmonizing, for a new generation of listeners.
You can follow the Lost Saints on their website, Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok, and all streaming services.
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Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer. You can follow her blog, Instagram, and X.
Emotions EP Track Listing:
- “I Wanna Let You (Remix)” (Karen Kosowski, Emma Lee, Jennifer Fiedler, Don Smith)
- “St. Joe Sunset” (Dave Turnbull, Michael Anthony Mobley)
- “The One” (Zack Dyer, Lonnie Fowler, Dave Turnbull)
- “Let It Ring” (Chris Biano, Quinn Loggins)
- “Rain” (Brent Anderson, Mark Fuhrer, Cj Solar)
- “So Far” (Laci Kaye Booth, Brice Long, Dave Turnbull)
- “Go Rest High On That Mountain” (Vince Gill)