The Monty Yanks

"...sand 'n' smoke vocals, poetic tales of yearning, and eclectic folk-rock..." - The Winnipeg Sun "...an ambitious collection of songs spanning several genres, from ‘50s pop to folk and gospel. With help from the Wailin’ Jennies’ Nicky Mehta’s backing vocals, the last two tracks on the record tell beautiful tales of ...love and death." - The Uniter Jason Maas first picked up a guitar in high school, and has been writing and performing original music ever since. When he was 20 years old, he packed his guitar, and hopped a Greyhound bus from Winnipeg to the Okanagan Valley, where he made his way from town to town as a busker. Eventually, he settled down in Vernon, BC where he became a regular contributor at the Coldstream Hotel's jam night. After collaborating with many artists, and perfecting his own mode of expression, Jason moved back to his hometown to start a rock and roll band, The Monty Yanks. In the winter of 2008, with a number of members of the band planning to move from Winnipeg, Jason decided to branch out and record a full length album with a new group. He searched the city for like-minded musicians to help bring his vision to fruition. His new band consists of David Singleton on bass, Ian Sorensen on guitar, and Jesse Millar on drums. In addition, he received help in the studio from piano player Tim Friesen (Ten Too Many/The Shouting Ground), guitarist Justin Dallmann (The Monty Yanks), and vocalists Jennifer Bihun (The Experiences) and Nicky Mehta (The Wailin' Jennys). The ensuing album was recorded and mixed at Private Ear Recording by Neil Cameron. The album is a mix of wildly divergent musical styles, ranging from folk to 50's rock, from pop to gospel. Though composed of a multitude of genres, the album boasts a single creative vision. Both musically and lyrically, the album is surprising and exciting. When Maas invites the listener to 'dive through the waters and float just above the hydrothermal vents', he is essentially inviting us all on a journey of exploration and adventure, to a world where shipwrecked ghosts threaten to haunt their families, and where a scrap of paper blowing along the sidewalk gives sudden meaning to an entire series of relationships. Clean is the debut album from Jason Maas and The Lower Companions. It is now available for sale online and in stores. www.lowercompanions.comRead More