The Villebillies
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The Villebillies

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The best kept secret in music

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"CD review"

The album cover for Villebillies' self titled release shows a gritty black-and-white scarecrow illustration in somewhat of a "represent" pose against a simple background ...
The image isn't exaggerated for effect or especially "yo", it's just there. For the life of me, I can't think of a better representation of this group. Hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, this group is what you should expect from country/hip-hop, probably don't. That's right, country/hip-hop.
I'm not the largest fan of hip-hop in general because what I've heard in the past many years is largely based around commercial viability in the place of talent. That maybe a gross exaggeration, but it doesn't make it any less true. Like any musical genera, Hip-hop is 75% filler, 15% talented musicians, and 10% in-between. Villebillies falls in the "talent" category, and I'm not just saying that because they're a bunch of white guys like me.
Without actually hearing what country/hip-hop sounded like (in a good way) I would have a difficult time appreciating even the notion of the mixture of those two fields.
As soon as this disc fires up you are immersed in this odd mixture and you wonder how you could have doubted the validity of such a combination of styles. It's possible the clichéd themes of hip-hop that could detract from the lyrics are only slightly displaced by this group's regional basis, but their musical talent still shines. It's odd, and at first you want to resist it, but you can't deny that Villebillies have not only infused banjos with what could be considered "urban" themes, but they've done it well. - www.shakefire.com


"CD review"

The album cover for Villebillies' self titled release shows a gritty black-and-white scarecrow illustration in somewhat of a "represent" pose against a simple background ...
The image isn't exaggerated for effect or especially "yo", it's just there. For the life of me, I can't think of a better representation of this group. Hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, this group is what you should expect from country/hip-hop, probably don't. That's right, country/hip-hop.
I'm not the largest fan of hip-hop in general because what I've heard in the past many years is largely based around commercial viability in the place of talent. That maybe a gross exaggeration, but it doesn't make it any less true. Like any musical genera, Hip-hop is 75% filler, 15% talented musicians, and 10% in-between. Villebillies falls in the "talent" category, and I'm not just saying that because they're a bunch of white guys like me.
Without actually hearing what country/hip-hop sounded like (in a good way) I would have a difficult time appreciating even the notion of the mixture of those two fields.
As soon as this disc fires up you are immersed in this odd mixture and you wonder how you could have doubted the validity of such a combination of styles. It's possible the clichéd themes of hip-hop that could detract from the lyrics are only slightly displaced by this group's regional basis, but their musical talent still shines. It's odd, and at first you want to resist it, but you can't deny that Villebillies have not only infused banjos with what could be considered "urban" themes, but they've done it well. - www.shakefire.com


"Recent Article"

A Second Shot

After a year filled with breakups, the tighter, refocused Villebillies are aching to get back on a Louisville stage

By Joseph Lord

The past six months weren't good to the Villebillies. It was rough stuff, especially considering how well things had been going.
First, their major label deal imploded this summer just as the band returned to Louisville after a ball-breaking tour schedule. The split was mutual -- Universal Music Group splintered soon after the band signed, and the piece the Villebillies landed on was tailored for R&B and hip-hop artists, like Prince and Lil Wayne. The new label didn't know what to do with the genre-bending, sprawling Villebillies.
But when the major-label dollars disappear, big changes follow in a rapid-fire fashion.
"Our manager quit, our business manager quit, our booking agent quit. Everybody quit," said vocalist Demi Demaree. "Then we lost people. It was like, damn, whatever."
So, why aren't they in a depressed, drunken stupor? Hard times can destroy or mature a band, but despite their boozy image, the Villebillies decided to embrace the changes.
"We're better than ever now, because we're smaller, tighter and smarter," vocalist Derek "Child" Monyhan said. "In the past month or whatever, we finally got back on track. I've been having a lot more fun than I've had in a while."
Three members -- William "BJ" Young, James "Dylan" O'Daniel and David "2B" Mouser -- left the group this year. Having fewer members -- seven from the original 10 -- has its advantages: for starters, it's cheaper to tour.
And in a band as democratic as the Villebillies, it's also easier to get seven people to agree on songs, tours, contracts and general direction.
"We're still on good terms with them," vocalist Dustin "Tuck" Tucker said. "They just felt like they needed to pursue other things."
Still, the dropouts led to rumors of a breakup, something the Villebillies never discussed, even during the darkest days.

Coming home

Instead, the remaining Villebillies came home to Louisville and took time off from playing out to "get back to normal," Tucker said. They kept writing new material, and now the tighter Villebillies are ready to reintroduce themselves to the city. The band is promising a peek into its new worldview during its show Saturday at Headliners.
The Villebillies are determined that this show will end a trying year on a high note, and get them ready for a more fortuitous 2008. The band has already written enough songs for a second album. They plan to record this winter and hope to have a new disc out in the fall.
"The first time around, we kind of felt like it was our only shot, so we weren't necessarily going for what we liked 100 percent," Monyhan said. "I mean, we put out what we liked, but we were also thinking, what's going to help us blow up. This time, we're throwing it all to the wind, you know -- if you like it, you like it. If you don't, you don't."
The Villebillies recently released an example of its new direction, "Stranger," on its MySpace page, in part to dispel the breakup rumors.
"Stranger" lacks the poppy nature of the band's self-titled debut album. And they're promising fewer bourbon and beer references this time around.
"I think it's a little more rocked out," Demaree said of the band's direction.

Sound and vision

For the as-yet-unnamed album, the band will consider indie labels or direct distribution deals along with major labels. The other half of the Universal split -- Universal Republic -- is also an option, and the band still has contacts from its last round of major-label wooing.
Finding the right home for the new album will eventually become a priority. The band's eclectic mix of hip-hop, rock and bluegrass has rendered their music difficult to categorize, and the music biz loves the easily cubbyholed. Universal Motown didn't know how to market the Villebillies -- mainstream hip-hop and R&B are radio-centric, where hit singles and ring tones and guest spots can grow an artist's fan base.
This is a band that builds its following on live performances. That helps explain this weekend's show -- the band wants to get back in touch with Louisville. The members wax nostalgic about the days when their marketing plan was to just hand out as many demos to as many friends as possible and playing almost monthly shows at Headliners.
The show will be its first in Louisville as a seven-piece. It'll also be a chance to blow off steam before months of recording and deciding how to release the next album.
"I get super-depressed when I'm not on stage," Demaree said. "I get moody and s---." - Velocity Weekly (Louisville)


"Recent Article"

A Second Shot

After a year filled with breakups, the tighter, refocused Villebillies are aching to get back on a Louisville stage

By Joseph Lord

The past six months weren't good to the Villebillies. It was rough stuff, especially considering how well things had been going.
First, their major label deal imploded this summer just as the band returned to Louisville after a ball-breaking tour schedule. The split was mutual -- Universal Music Group splintered soon after the band signed, and the piece the Villebillies landed on was tailored for R&B and hip-hop artists, like Prince and Lil Wayne. The new label didn't know what to do with the genre-bending, sprawling Villebillies.
But when the major-label dollars disappear, big changes follow in a rapid-fire fashion.
"Our manager quit, our business manager quit, our booking agent quit. Everybody quit," said vocalist Demi Demaree. "Then we lost people. It was like, damn, whatever."
So, why aren't they in a depressed, drunken stupor? Hard times can destroy or mature a band, but despite their boozy image, the Villebillies decided to embrace the changes.
"We're better than ever now, because we're smaller, tighter and smarter," vocalist Derek "Child" Monyhan said. "In the past month or whatever, we finally got back on track. I've been having a lot more fun than I've had in a while."
Three members -- William "BJ" Young, James "Dylan" O'Daniel and David "2B" Mouser -- left the group this year. Having fewer members -- seven from the original 10 -- has its advantages: for starters, it's cheaper to tour.
And in a band as democratic as the Villebillies, it's also easier to get seven people to agree on songs, tours, contracts and general direction.
"We're still on good terms with them," vocalist Dustin "Tuck" Tucker said. "They just felt like they needed to pursue other things."
Still, the dropouts led to rumors of a breakup, something the Villebillies never discussed, even during the darkest days.

Coming home

Instead, the remaining Villebillies came home to Louisville and took time off from playing out to "get back to normal," Tucker said. They kept writing new material, and now the tighter Villebillies are ready to reintroduce themselves to the city. The band is promising a peek into its new worldview during its show Saturday at Headliners.
The Villebillies are determined that this show will end a trying year on a high note, and get them ready for a more fortuitous 2008. The band has already written enough songs for a second album. They plan to record this winter and hope to have a new disc out in the fall.
"The first time around, we kind of felt like it was our only shot, so we weren't necessarily going for what we liked 100 percent," Monyhan said. "I mean, we put out what we liked, but we were also thinking, what's going to help us blow up. This time, we're throwing it all to the wind, you know -- if you like it, you like it. If you don't, you don't."
The Villebillies recently released an example of its new direction, "Stranger," on its MySpace page, in part to dispel the breakup rumors.
"Stranger" lacks the poppy nature of the band's self-titled debut album. And they're promising fewer bourbon and beer references this time around.
"I think it's a little more rocked out," Demaree said of the band's direction.

Sound and vision

For the as-yet-unnamed album, the band will consider indie labels or direct distribution deals along with major labels. The other half of the Universal split -- Universal Republic -- is also an option, and the band still has contacts from its last round of major-label wooing.
Finding the right home for the new album will eventually become a priority. The band's eclectic mix of hip-hop, rock and bluegrass has rendered their music difficult to categorize, and the music biz loves the easily cubbyholed. Universal Motown didn't know how to market the Villebillies -- mainstream hip-hop and R&B are radio-centric, where hit singles and ring tones and guest spots can grow an artist's fan base.
This is a band that builds its following on live performances. That helps explain this weekend's show -- the band wants to get back in touch with Louisville. The members wax nostalgic about the days when their marketing plan was to just hand out as many demos to as many friends as possible and playing almost monthly shows at Headliners.
The show will be its first in Louisville as a seven-piece. It'll also be a chance to blow off steam before months of recording and deciding how to release the next album.
"I get super-depressed when I'm not on stage," Demaree said. "I get moody and s---." - Velocity Weekly (Louisville)


Discography

ALBUMS:
2006 - Villebillies (Universal Motown)

COMPILATIONS:
2006 - Nappy Roots Music Presents - Kentucky Kolonels Vol 1 (song: I65)
2004 - Midwest Music Summit 2004 CD Sampler (song: Ol' Faithful)

Photos

Bio

The Villebillies are bringing a unique and exciting style to the world of music. The group breaks through genre barriers by combining modern hip hop and rock, with more traditional elements of country, blues, jazz, folk, and even classical. Their un-orthodox approach has gained the admiration and respect of fans and fellow musicians from all walks of life.

Formed in early 2001, the band quickly grew to prominence within Louisville’s music scene, drawing huge crowds and gaining local media attention with their unique sound and energetic live shows. The Villebillies are recognized as one of Louisville’s premier acts, winning several LEO Readers Choice Awards and receiving a high volume of radio requests on local rock, pop, and urban stations.

Following in the footsteps of other major label Louisville acts like Nappy Roots and Tantric, The Villebillies signed with Universal Motown in 2005, releasing their self-title major label debut on September 26th 2006. The album showcases not only the band’s musical diversity but also their technical ability, placing the groups own productions along side tracks produced by Toby Wright (Alice In Chains, Primus) and the legendary Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Kiss).

Since their ‘06 record release, The Villebillies have traveled the country, sharing the stage with a wide range of major, indie, and unsigned artists of all genres. The band has opened for such acts as Hank Williams Jr, Nelly, and Hed PE, just to name a few.

The cross-genre nature of the band brings a certain unpredictability to their live shows. In a week on the road with The Villebillies you may see a mosh pit one night, break dancers the next, and country line dancing the night after that. With an extensive catalogue of original material and a few choice covers, The Villebillies are able to adapt their live show to fit whatever situation the gig presents.