Nearing 15 years as a performing musician in Indiana, Chad Mills has done the singer/songwriter thing, the band gigs, and everything in between. Last week, Mills and his band, the Upright Willies, played the side stage at the Deer Creek, before the Jason Aldean/Eric Church show that began the shed season at the Noblesville venue. This Thursday (May 19), he plays in the semi-finals of the Acoustic Live Challenge.
Seemed like a good time to catch up with the Rose-Hulman grad and construction project engineer who grabs his hat and guitar at night, and heads out to play his music. At many shows, he’s being joined by cellist Grover Parido.
ROB: Saw you played some shows with Grover, and opened for Truth and Salvage Co. too.
Chad Mills: Grover is great, isn’t he? I hired Grover to do cello work on my Make the Door album and then talked him into playing the album release, and continue to talk him into playing more with me. What he does with that instrument is incredible; it adds such a rich layer to my music.
My good friend Bob Stewart has been playing percussion with me for several years now. I met William Rood a few years back at a Kammy’s Kause (kammyskause.org) and he actually remembered me saying back then that I’d really love to have an upright bass in the band. Having recently acquired one, he contacted me with an interest in playing. I’ll be out there this summer playing as much as I can, both as a solo artist and with the band (The Upright Willies).
ROB: Any new music?
CM: As a matter of fact, I just finished the lyrics to one right before this interview. (I’m) always writing new material whenever I get the opportunity. I released my seventh album (Make the Door) last summer, and if I get my way, will begin work on the next one sometime this year.
ROB: Is it tough to get noticed in Indianapolis?
CM: It’s not easy man. I mean, I know it’s not easy no matter what city you’re in. It’s just tough to find profitable gigs around here where original music is welcome. I know there are good folks out there who are working hard to change that. One avenue for live music I’m really into right now – an exception to that rule – is the local house concert scene. I’ve been in the audience for several of these, as well as performed a few. It’s just a raw, intimate performance from the artist. just me and a guitar, telling stories to a roomful of people and then performing the songs – and they actually listen Crazy, right?
chad mills
Indiana Music: Grover Parido
Cellist Grover Parido was an essential part of the magic that made Cara Jean Wahlers’s 2010 album “Goodnight Charlotte” a quiet masterpiece. Parido has become more prominent in the Indianapolis music scene lately, picking up new projects and live shows. He has a lovely orchestral sound with hints of a Nashville coffeehouse and the majesty of U2. How’s that description for you?
ROB: I saw you sit in with Chad Mills as you guys opened the Truth & Salvage Co. show at Radio Radio, and you were terrific. Blown away by the sound. Do you have any more shows coming this spring with them?
Grover Parido: The band (our first show with that cast) you saw at Radio Radio, Chad Mills, Bill Rood, Bob Stewart and me, will be playing at the Britton Tavern in Fishers April 14. Chad, Bill and I will be doing a acoustic battle of the bands April 21 at the Ugly Monkey. I have a blast playing with those guys. (They have) good humor and energy.
New album for Duke Tumatoe; Chad Mills opening for Zac Brown Band duo
Singer/songwriter Chad Mills is part of the Redbud Tree House Concert Series this Sunday, January 16 at Radio Radio in Indy’s historic Fountain Square District. He will open for Levi Lowrey and Clay Cook, both members of the Zac Brown Band, who are on a tour between dates with the ZB band.
Indianapolis bluesman Duke Tumatoe’s new album, I Just Want to Be Rich comes out January 18 and he will preview the release with a show at Rathskeller in Indianapolis this Saturday, January 15. He will also be at the Players Pub in Bloomington on February 4.
Hear I Just Want to Be Rich