Good Times, New Tunes

On our handful of great western Canadian shows to close out 2014, The Bills have had the very fine fortune to play with two great bassists – one of them the foundation of the band through JUNO-nominated recordings and thousands of miles of touring: Glen Manders, the other a rising young dude in the Canadian music scene, Nick Mentenko.  Thanks Glen and Nick for so ably filling in for Scott, who’s off in Germany launching a new show.

But Scott will be back next Spring, when the band is set to dive into tracking for their next album.  Until then, watch for the individual Bills in their various incarnations and pursuits.  One of which is happily hunched over their home recording units, composing and arranging for the next beautiful batch of Bills tunes!

Watch for a chance to support the band’s upcoming recording by being among the first to pre-purchase the album.  More info to come!  Until then, happy days to all.

The Bills

California 2014 – Good Times, Bills Times

Good people of California, thank you again!

We’ve just finished 10 days of magic and music, singing and swimming.  From Arcata to Bishop to Pleasant Hill to Santa Cruz, all was wonderful.  Let’s do it again soon!

Next stop: home territory in BC in October, starting with glorious Osoyoos!

Yeehaw!

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From Ontario to BC to California – the endless summer continues

Yes yes yes!  Folks, BillFest 2014 was a ball in Ottawa.  Stewart Park and Home County Fair were Ontario peaks, too.  Then to get a whole week on Saltspring Island as a band with about a dozen of the most amazing instructor colleagues on the planet, a true dream team of musical magic, along with 200 keen fiddle campers of all ages, well, heaven did truly descend to earth over the past two weeks!  Thank you and happy baby birthing Zavellennahh!

And now what?  The party just keeps on rolling!  Come join us for a couple of Vancouver Island dates, back in the homeland, at the end of August, and then, why not track us down on what has become our annual September California jaunt.  See the Shows page for info.  We can’t wait to see you out there.  Good times!

Instructor concert, July 20, 2014 - you've never heard a sound so intergalactic and huge!

Fiddleworks instructor concert soundcheck, July 20, 2014 – you’ve never heard a sound so intergalactic and huge!

Look Out Ottawa – It’s BillFest 2014!

Come one come all, July 17th, to the fabulous Irving Greenberg Theatre (GCTC), Ottawa – 1233 Wellington West.  An amazing line up of four celebrated west coast Canadian bands!  Yes Please!  Scroll down for more info below.

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The Bills, two-time JUNO nominees and internationally-celebrated acoustic quintet, headline this one-night only festival of unparalleled global roots music from an all-star collection of West Coast Canadian artists. 
 
with
 
The Marc Atkinson Trio – melodic, energized, amazing acoustic guitar-driven gypsy jazz
Moody Amiri – enchanting classical, Indian and modern spiritual styles played on Persian santur (hammered dulcimer) and viola
Chris Frye and the Analog Ghosts – inspired and inspiring, superbly-crafted Canadian singer/songwriter folk/roots
 
The Bills latest album, Yes Please, has won accolades across North America and in Western Europe.  On this night, The Bills will play the headline, closing set, while three other bands that are led by members of The Bills will entrance and entertain the audience with shorter sets, each featuring fantastic, stylistically different, musical offerings.
 
What the media have said about the bands featured at BillFest 2014:
 
The Bills
 
Audiophile.com: “With an infectious energy level, clever tunes, fine musicianship, and tight three-part harmonies, the music on “Yes Please” epitomizes modern roots music.”
 
The Glasgow Herald, reviewing the band’s recent June 4, 2014 show near Edinburgh, Scotland:   “The Plant Song figured largely and lustily among these two typically entertaining and brilliantly skill-packed sets. The quintet’s essential appeal has always lain in their ability to fuse the bluegrass chops and North American folk song nous at their music’s heart with music and metres from sources ranging from Latin America to Eastern Europe. Twin fiddle hoedowns sat naturally next to accordion-led mazurkas.  A Django Reinhardt medley featured an orchestration so sweetly atmospheric we could have been on a black and white movie set, an impression the venue’s period grandeur only enhanced.”
The Marc Atkinson Trio
The Vancouver Province: “Jaw-dropping technique.  Atkinson’s music is exuberantly fresh and sparkling, a wonderful gem.”
Acoustic Guitar Magazine: ”Marc Atkinson Trio’s latest album is one of the top five of the year”
Moody Amiri
CBC radio: “Richard Moody and Amir Amiri have a wonderful chemistry. It’s a tantalizing blend of eastern and western sensibilities.”
Chris Frye
Monday Magazine: “Victoria, BC’s answer to Lyle Lovett”.
Sing Out Magazine: “Frye has a clear, strong rich voice”

www.youtube.com/thebillsplaymusic

www.marcatkinson.com

www.moodyamiri.com

 

The secrets and pleasures of Peebles, Selby, Hereford and all points in between!

Thank you United Kingdom!  The Bills are back.  And it was a helluva good time!

Van mishaps, crazy hotels, great gigs and excellent people everywhere (many of whom we unfortunately couldn’t understand, we’re embarrassed to say!).  Can’t wait to make it happen again. Check the Facebook page to get a little more insight into our madness.

Looking forward to our summer adventures back in Canada.  Keep in touch everyone, and look out for The Bills in your ‘hood!

Over Bill and Dale

When It’s Springtime in the Midlands…

Yes, The Bills are coming back to the UK.  Fifteen shows over a fantastic seventeen days, May 23 – June 7, far and wide, north and south (quite a bit of north!) hope to see you if you’re anywhere near.  Check out the shows page to track our winding route.  We promise acoustic pleasure, mushy peas and pints will be the order of the day!

Midwest rocked; Next stop, Springtime in the UK!

Time for Richard to drive

Time for Richard to drive

Winter in the Midwestern US really is cold!  But the people are oh so warm, and the crowds showed us a very very good time.  A couple of shows with the fabulous Ruth Moody, and a swing up into St. Boniface were other highlights.  The freeways in Minnesota left something to be desired, but the scenery and skating rinks were world class.

Look out in May for two weeks of roots folk ambassadorship around England and Scotland.  The Bills return to the UK for a blast of festivals and concerts that are sure to help Spring turn to Summer in fine and funky folk fashion.

See the Shows page and see you soon!

 

Heatin’ Up That Midwest/Prairie Winter!

Hey all.  Happy 2014 from The Bills.

We’re carrying on a long-standing roots/folk/rock tradition this February as we pile in the tour bus and take on the the true test of any band worth their road salt: The Three M’s of Winter.  Minnesota, Manitoba and a dip for kicks down to Missouri, too!  Check the shows page for a Bills winter appearance in your neighbourhood.  We’re bringing our instruments and ice skates (Richard will probably have a hockey stick, too), ready to celebrate with all comers.

Yes Please, winter tour 2014!

See you all soon.

Rockin The Day Away

Thanks BC and Alberta.  Such good times over the past two weeks!  To all the presenters from Tofino to Spruce Grove, the techs, the volunteers and the fine, music-loving audiences, we look forward to rockin the day away with you all again sometime soon.

Minnesota and Manitoba, we’ll see you in February.  And May/June will see the British Columbia invasion of the UK!

Happy upcoming holiday season everyone!

Cheers, from The Bills

Folk n Roll - Alberta Style