Our Story.
Reassembled from parts of Kingston Ontario’s finest Blues & Outlaw Country tribute bands, The Mill•Rights are a group of hard-workin’ full-time friends on a mission to forge their own timeless body of music. Building on the foundations laid by some of Canada’s most beloved artists, The Mill•Rights began working in the winter of 2021 with Jason Mercer at Neptune’s Machine on Wolfe Island. Their self-titled debut album, includes 13 original songs. Much like their live performances, they move fluidly through elements of roots, rock, reggae, country, folk, and blues among other genres.
With a reputation for supporting and collaborating with a variety of artists, it’s no surprise that their debut recording features a small lineup of incredible guest musicians including multi-instrumentalist Teilhard Frost (Sheesham & Lotus), guitar phenom Dan Chisholm (Lotus Shaker), the multifaceted singer/songwriter Michael Duguay, Albertan revivalist/visionary Skinny Dyck, Canada’s legendary Hugh Christopher Brown (Bourbon Tabernacle Choir, Big Sugar, The Tragically Hip, Barenaked Ladies) and of course, the multi-talented producer/engineer/guru/musician Jason Mercer (Ani Difranco, Ron Sexsmith, The Gertrudes).
While given the opportunity to refine their sound through a series of unique performances at The Kingston Brewing Company, The Mill•Rights received an invitation to perform at the 2019 Wolfe Island Music Festival. It was there, while performing alongside The Sadies, Jim Bryson, Emilie Steele, Born Ruffians, Joe McLeod, and others, that The Mill•Rights resolved to step back from redistributing refurbished b-sides and focus on refining their songwriting skills instead.
After the pandemic-induced global hiatus on operations, The Mill•Rights are back to work performing, and are currently promoting their debut self-titled album.
Follow them on social media or you’re favourite streaming services for more, www.themillrights.com
The Mill•Rights are:
Patrick Aaron (Bass/Vocals)
Joey Lee (Drums/Vocals)
Damien Van Johnson (Guitar/Vocals)