New Album from Canadian Quintet The Bills Out This Week

(Press Release) It’s been twenty years since Canadian quintet The Bills first formed, and the collective spirit of this wide-ranging, globally-inspired roots ensemble remains as vibrant as ever. Originating from a kitchen-jam exploration of traditional and modern styles, they’ve forged a sophisticated, down home blend of global rhythms that has been celebrated in dance halls and festivals across the western world. If it’s not abundantly clear from the smiles of their devoted fans, take a look at the five beaming faces on stage when the full band joins together, and you can see how much The Bills love making music together. With their new album, Trail of Tales, set for release in the United States on April 22, 2016 via Borealis Records, The Bills are poised to release their most compelling set of music yet. Coinciding with Earth Day, the group set out intentionally to make a sophisticated, earthy, masterful record that speaks of the complexity of human and environmental interaction in a pivotal moment in the planet’s history. To make the album, the band gathered together in the picturesque wooded splendor of tiny Mayne Island, an artists’ enclave just off the coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. With the wind in the trees, a view of the Salish sea, a wood fire for heat, and an old farm house wired up with vintage microphones, they set out to create a truly collaborative record. “There’s never been a Bills album with five songwriters, that’s a first in the history of the band” says singer/guitarist Chris Frye. “Hopefully it’s bringing out the best we have to offer because we’re truly together as a unit.”

---

Part of what makes the new album so cohesive comes from how well each of these musicians know each other. “The Bills have an almost chamber music vibe at times, especially instrumentally” says fiddler Richard Moody. “It’s caused me to really really listen to the people I’m playing with.” You can hear how much everyone’s listening to each other in the music, in how they can turn on a dime as an ensemble, effortlessly weaving complex and beautiful melodies behind captivating vocal lines. Despite the closeness, it was still a daunting task for band member fiddler/accordionist Adrian Dolan to produce the album. A veteran of Ruth Moody’s band, Dolan has years of experience recording Canadian music, and was able to combine that experience with an intimate knowledge of every band member’s ability. That’s part of why the new album is so able to bring different influences into their songs, from the folk funk of Moody’s “Jungle Doctor” to Frye and mandolinist/percussionist Marc Atkinson’s anthemic title track, or from bassist Scott White’s carefree vocal pop song “Happy Be” to the Western Swing of “Hittin’ the Do” or all-instrumental original compositions like “Pebble Beach.” Throughout, the songs are tied together with remarkably complex vocal and instrumental arrangements. It’s a testament to The Bills’ musicianship that the music always sounds so fun and easy, expertly covering the weight of the arranging work.
 
It’s been a long ride as Western Canada’s premiere roots band, but two Juno award nominations (Canada’s Grammys) and countless tours haven’t changedThe Bills’ basic formula. Bringing together stunning vocal harmonies, complex and captivating instrumental arrangements, and the kind of rhythms that make you want to go out dancing under the clear skies of British Columbia, The Bills prove that there’s a surprising amount of power to be found in acoustic roots music today.