The Redhill Valleys: No Speed Limit

The Hamilton-based Americana alt-country band has a unique, genre-bending sound and find its epicentre at Westmoreland Recording studios on Kenilworth Avenue North.

Since The Redhill Valleys released their first album in 2016, this four-piece Americana alt-country band hasn’t taken their foot off the gas pedal. 

Since the 2022 release of their two-part album, Travel Well, their single “Anymore” was the recipient of a first place finish in the American Songwriter Magazine lyric contest. Their music is regularly played on Sirius XM’s North Americana, CBC Country and Tom Petty Radio. 

They’ve graced the stage at the Boots and Hearts Music Festival, Big Sky Music Festival, Cavendish Beach Music Festival, including three shows at the C2C: Country to Country 2024 – Europe’s largest festival celebrating country music. They playws the Coca Cola Stage at the Calgary Stampede on July 7. 

Between 2019 and 2022 The Redhill Valleys were nominated for best roots artists and best group at the Country Music Association of Ontario Awards. The band was nominated for music video of the year at this year’s awards handed out in June. 

“We’re a band that loves playing and jamming together,” says Chelsea McWilliams, bass player and singer. She’s joined by Tim Allard (lead guitar/vocals), Danielle Beaudin (guitar/vocals) and Matt Soliveri (drums). 

The Hamilton-based band sat down recently at a local coffee shop with HAMILTON CITY Magazine to answer some questions.

Origin of the band name? 

“We had our first gig before we had a band name,” says McWilliams. “Danielle booked us at our first shows at Homegrown Hamilton on King William. They were making a poster, so we had to come up with a name.” 

The band jointly described that they wanted to come up with something that would be an “homage to Hamilton” – thus the The Redhill Valleys were born. It was a thought process that invoked some other iconic bands that started with “the” – namely the Beatles and The Band. 

Before they were a four-piece band, Allard and Beaudin became acquainted while recording music locally. This eventually led to them writing some songs together and playing some gigs. 

“We did a few shows together,” says Allard. “Then a mutual friend linked Danielle with Chelsea and they started writing together. It was the three of us for a few years, then we met Matt, became a band and here we are.” 

Hamilton is home?

The city of Hamilton is the backdrop for the band’s songwriting inspiration. It’s also where the band has recorded since day one. 

McWilliams and Allard grew up in Burlington, while Soliveri and Beaudin were both born and raised in Hamilton. 

The epicentre for the band is Westmoreland Recording studios on Kenilworth Avenue North. Allard spoke about his connection to the studio and Carl Jennings, the proprietor of the studio and a mentor of the band. 

“Carl is the in-house producer, engineer, and our mentor. We’ve recorded with him since day one,” says Allard, who recorded some songs at the studio as a teen in 2001 and was later hired to work at the studio. 

Jennings is also a member of Hamilton-based band Freedom Train. The Redhill Valleys collectively give credit to Jennings for his expertise, direction and advice that has steered the band to where they are today with their unique sound that sets them apart from other bands. 

The band concurs that Jennings is a Hamilton legend. 

That unique sound?

“We have never considered ourselves to be a country band,” says McWilliams. “In the early days we were like folk and rock. When Matt joined the band, one of our songs got into the Boots and Hearts Emerging Artists (Showcase) and that world embraced us, and the country label took over from that exposure.” 

The Redhill Valleys have adjusted to the varying labels their listeners have used to categorize their unique sound, ranging from southern rock to country with a hint of that 1970s folksy rockabilly. It sets them apart from their counterparts in the industry and has opened the door for a wider range of venues to play. 

“It’s nice to be able to play at all these different festivals. We aren’t rock and we’re not country, very similar to the bands we listen to,” says Beaudin. There can also be a downside to the open-ended genre.

“We’re not enough country for country and not enough rock for rock,” says Soliveri. 

Yet, the band has used this as an advantage and have amassed a solid fanbase not just in Canada, but in the United States and United Kingdom. 

“The fact that we have played in the U.S. and the U.K. is mind-blowing,” adds Soliveri. 

“We didn’t know what to expect in the U.K. A lot of people came out and we had crowds at our shows. It felt great to see people in the seats and spreading our music around,” says Beaudin. 

Music accessibility? 

The Redhill Valleys also spread their time around by giving back to the Hamilton community – namely music accessibility. They have all taught music lessons in local schools and provided free lessons. 

The band is involved in numerous programs aimed at providing music education, such as Girls Rock Camp, City Kidz and the Hamilton Music Collective program An Instrument for Every Child.  

“Giving back in this way is awesome and to just inspire another generation to pick up a set of drumsticks or sing is a good feeling to get a younger generation involved in the arts,” says Soliveri. 

Musical influences?

The Redhill Valleys credit a list of iconic, nostalgic bands as their root influences, including Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Neil Young, The Band and Fleetwood Mac. 

In 2024, The Redhill Valleys released a new single, “Making Rumours,” via MDM Recordings Inc. and Universal Canada. The earthy, opening lyrics are reminiscent of another band influence – Shania Twain. 

The band members describe the track as “a moody, intimate yet sonically dynamic song revolving around clandestine lovers trying to keep their torrid relationship a secret from prying eyes and whispering lips.” 

Their latest single is “Rhinestoned.” 

Favourite achievement? 

Allard: “Getting to play in England two times in the same year. It was mind-blowing.” 

McWilliams: “Writing a song called ‘Anymore.’ It won an American songwriting contest, and they shipped us a Gibson acoustic guitar. That was a good day.” 

Beaudin: “We got to play a couple of gigs at Massey Hall in November 2023. That was a big, cool moment for us.” 

Soliveri: “Signing to a label. It was something everyone strives for.” 

The Redhill Valleys have many goals they are striving for as they continue to develop their unique sound – one that has garnered a loyal, growing fanbase. They are driven to write, record and play as many live shows as possible. Their ultimate goal is to make a living doing what they enjoy the most – playing music. 

For more information on the band visit: theRedhillvalleys.com 

Stephen Metelsky is a professor at Mohawk College, author, and freelance writer.