Folk Band, Mt. Philo, Thumbs Beats from Heart

“Okay, it’s just going to be me, Eli, Lydia, and Matt for the interview today but we honestly know each other so well that we’ll probably be okay without Ben and Danny,” Alexis Hughes ’17.5 said, as she drummed her fingers on an oily Proctor breakfast table.

Mt. Philo, an on-campus alternative folk band made of mostly sophomore Febs, has only officially been a band since October 2014 after deciding to take their casual jam sessions to the next level. Despite only being together for a little over six months, the tight-knit bonds between the six members are extremely apparent to even an outsider over one simple meal.

The group is comprised of Matt Floyd ’17.5, Alexis Hughes ’17.5, Lydia Delehanty ’17, Ben Rose ’17.5, Eli Orland ’17.5 and Danny Fullam ’16.

Surprisingly, none of the members have one specialty instrument. Matt, Alexis, Eli and Lydia take turns singing and playing various string instruments while Ben controls the bass and Danny always plays the drums. Alexis and Eli both have musician fathers and were encouraged to explore their respective interests in music.

“I started becoming focused on music in the eighth grade, and then I went through a heavy metal phase that still sort of shows up in my music today,” disclosed Eli.

Childhood events such as singing memorable folk songs at summer camp and trying out different instruments allowed all of the members to create their current tastes in music and songwriting, even for those who did not come from particularly musical households, like Lydia and Matt.

Eli and Matt were roommates who often played together to relax and share their passion for music when Eli’s friendship with Alexis gave her access to sharing her talents with the duo. The other members were later added through bonds formed from their frequent performances at the W.O.M.P (Wednesday Open Mic Party) in Gifford Hall at 9 p.m.

“I was honestly just lucky enough to run into Eli playing music one day. I’m in the Mischords so it worked out well.” Mt. Philo’s name comes from Eli and Milo’s, a past group member, attending the same geology lab when they were struggling to find a name for the band.

“Mt. Philo is this ‘mountain’ in Burlington. Well, actually it’s just a hill”, giggled Alexis “When the two of them suggested the name we all loved it.”

“It’s rootsy and folky and is connected to the Vermont area,” Matt said. “But also Middbeat wanted to do an article on us but they didn’t really want to unless we had a full name.”

Mt. Philo’s collaborative approach to music-making really comes alive when they write songs: no original song they’ve performed has been created solely by one member of the band. They try to write as a group, often during their Tuesday night practice, and work with the fragmented song lyrics and melodies that one of the members has produced. “The cool thing is that we all have different styles and origins so the style-mixing really works” said Eli enthusiastically. It is true that all of their musical influence comes from Appalachian folk music, but each member’s additional influences truly make every song unique. Matt’s Celtic and bluegrass tones can be heard in some songs while past relationships often impact Lydia and Alexis’ writing.

Lydia admitted to being amazed by WOMP musicians every week simply because so many people on campus fail to advertise their musical talent. The supportive, inclusive group of Middlebury performers and audience members encourages even the most introverted of people to showcase their abilities without the fear of being judged or kicked off the stage.

Also, the tendency for people who frequent the WOMP to play together helps to promote the inauguration of on-campus bands such as Boat Taxi, Iron Eyes Cody, and Dross Theory.

The six of them did not expect so much success after only a few months of performing. With two shows planned for next month in Burlington, the group has hopes to play at Higher Ground, then eventually at venues all across Vermont, none of them have started thinking past next year.

“We’re all individually passionate about music and it makes being in the band much more fun,” declared Eli. “It’s a thousand times more fun than any schoolwork!” assured Lydia “That can be a good and bad thing though,” A two hour practice can go on for three or four” she admitted sheepishly.

Watch out for Mt. Philo’s upcoming EP, shows at the Middlebury Organic Garden on April 25, and at venues in Burlington on May 7 and 11. After watching them perform multiple times at the WOMP and at other events across campus it will definitely be as clear to you as it was to me why these six are seeing such success.