Quesnel’s Milltown Philosophers are launching their debut album on June 13th.
The “newgrass” band describes their music as a mix of bluegrass, Canadiana, folk, and country. The band’s members include fiddle player Adam Johnson, vocalist and banjo-ukulele player Corry Climenhage, vocalist Laurie Rathier, bass player Barry McKillican, and the band’s founder, vocalist and guitarist, James Climenhage.
The band came together in 2018 when James wanted to create a band with simple complexity and a creative bluegrass/newgrass sound. “It’s a combo of different styles that we kind of classify as newgrass because we’re not sure how else to classify it,” James told the Observer. “During Covid we started writing original material and most of those songs are found on this album” he said.
The band’s website explains that the heart of the music is what they call their “Milltown Sound,” which is in large part due to the band’s three-part harmonies. A big part of that sound is also the intricate fiddle melodies of Johnson, who won the BC Provincial Fiddle Championship in 2015. The 12-song album was produced and recorded in Quesnel and features those vocal harmonies and catchy melodies that brings the band’s music to life.
The Milltown Philosophers, according to their website, are all seasoned musicians with unique musical backgrounds and perspectives. James’ own background is “rooted in country rock and southern rock bands and there are elements of those styles on the album,” he said.
The album was mixed by Andrew Collins, a Torontonian, and professional mandolin player, who also plays on a few of the tracks. David Travers-Smith, a Juno award winner who has worked with artists such as the Wailin’ Jennys and the Romeros, mastered the album.
“I started off in the band playing the upright bass. When our original guitarist left the band, we struggled to fill that spot, so I ended up playing guitar myself,” James said. “An old friend of mine, Barry McKillican, replaced me on the upright bass.”
The band’s original guitar player, Lawrence Lust, will be rejoining the group on banjo for their upcoming performances at Arts on the Fly on July 13th in Horsefly, Billy Barker days on July 19th and 21st in Quesnel, and Music Mix @ 6 on August 1st in Quesnel.
The self-titled album will be available on all streaming platforms June 13, and fans will be able to purchase the CD in July at their performances or through the band’s website.
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