Biography

PRESS RELEASE:
The MilBillies are back with a “Capital B”

For their second full-length release, The MilBillies returned to the studio with a goal of building on the themes and distinguishing musical traits of their self-titled debut by adding greater depth and variety.

The result — 12 tracks collected under the title “Capital B” — goes out to the public on Dec. 6. The album’s name is a sly nod to the band’s failure to do itself any favors in the never-ending battle to have its name spelled correctly on concert posters, in promotional materials and on theater marquees.

The tracks themselves cover some familiar lyrical ground — the highs and lows of drinking and love — as well as some new — the joys of nature and a tale of a runaway lover. All but one of the 12 is original; the last is an instrumental rendition of the traditional fiddle tune “Goodbye Liza Jane.”

They’re songs the band has been honing and road-testing for the past two years. More than one received a new arrangement along the way. When all were deemed fit for recording, The MilBillies turned to the steady hands at Wire & Vice studio just outside Milwaukee.

Session producer Sam Odin and engineer Ian Olvera pushed the five-piece MilBllies — consisting of mandolin, fiddle, banjo, guitar and bass — to lay down energetic versions of each song in a maximum of three takes. That helped preserve a “live” and fresh feel and ensured the band’s particular brand of bluegrass maintained its signature frenetic kick. Overdubs — backing vocals, piano, pedal steel and a brass trio on the opening track “Annie” — were reserved for a few select moments.

Capital B will mark The MilBillies’ first official studio release since the band’s single, “Katie Up the Street,” came out in 2021. But fans don’t have to wait until December for a sample of what the new album has to offer. Two single tracks — “Never Ever” and “Wisconsin Rain” — are due out on Nov. 8 and 22, respectively.

On Dec. 6, you can look for them and the full album on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, SoundCloud or wherever else you stream music.


PRESS:
"Animated, urban style grass" - Bluegrass Today

"Straddles the line between the traditional and progressive schools of bluegrass along with hints of blues, punk and country. " - Bluegrass Unlimited

"Punk-tinged barroom bluegrass" - Milwaukee Record

"An explosion of banjos, guitars and storytelling" - Shepherd Express


THE MILBILLIES:
Joe Wais - Fiddle, Vocals, Keyboard, Trombone
Eben Flood - Guitar, Vocals
Matt Brey - Mandolin, Vocals
Dan Shaw - Banjo, Vocals
Pat Zimmer - Bass, Vocals

ALBUM NOTES:
Produced by: Sam Odin
Recorded at: Wire & Vice, Wauwatosa, WI
Studio and Mixing Engineer: Ian Olvera
Mastered by: Justin Perkins, Mystery Room Mastering
Photography: Chad Steuland
Graphic Design: Carolyn Adkins

All songs are written by The MilBillies except “Goodbye, Liza” (Traditional, instrumental)

GUESTS:
Laura Bomber - Vocals
Bernardo Cano - Harmonica
Dan Kimpel - Pedal Steel
Jason Residorf - Tenor Saxophone
Kurt Shipe - Trumpet


ACCOLADES:
2023: WAMI Nominated Bluegrass/Americana Artist of the Year (Wisconsin)
2022: John Hartford Memorial Festival Band Contest Winners (Indiana)
2021: IBMA World of Bluegrass Showcase Artist (North Carolina)
2020: WAMI Nominated New Artist of the Year (Wisconsin)


WEB/SOCIAL:
TheMilBillies.com
facebook.com/TheMilBillies
instagram.com/MilBillies
TheMilBillies.bandcamp.com