1,000 YEARS IN THE MAKING. Eau Claire pop artists The Millenium released their infectious debut full length record, but do we ever ask ourselves, in March.

Over the better part of the last half-decade or so, The Millenium has churned out expansive and infectious pop tunes, singles, EPs, they’ve toured the country, they’ve amassed passionate hordes of young fans from all over the world, and played massive shows with unparalleled energy. And now, with the release of the Eau Claire-based band’s debut album but do we ever ask ourselves, they find themselves at a turning point.

Longtime songwriter and member since its inception, Kyle Culver, departed the band and its raucous touring lifestyle to focus on community-based musical endeavors here in Eau Claire, while the other members – Kyle Featherstone, Brandon Bruvette, Casey Sproatt, and lead singer Matt Hasenmueller – now look ahead to life after the release of their first full-length statement as a band.

I caught up with Hasenmueller as The Millenium was rehearsing for their album release shows last weekend. He found a room next to the lobby of a friend’s St. Paul apartment building aptly called the Sinatra Lounge – no doubt because of the framed portrait of Frank Sinatra adorning the walls above free coffee, pool tables, and Wi-Fi. Hasenmueller told me but we do ever ask ourselves has been brewing from start to finish over the course of the last three years, and if there’s one word for how he feels about finally getting out in the stratosphere, it’s relief.

“I have never worked so hard and felt so satisfied at the same time. I finally feel like I can be my complete self,” Hasenmueller said. “I finally feel like the sound of the band is what it’s meant to be for right now, and it’s just satisfying. It feels like a kidney stone that came out or something, just this huge rush of relief. And we get to just live in it.”

The 11-track album – their first full-length ever – comes after a string of, singles, an EP (It’s So Much Friendlier With Two), acoustic sessions, tours, music videos, and shows that put The Millenium on the pop music map. It’s stuffed with pop gems, like the lead single “Midnight Bones,” that injects stadium-pop flavors into ’80s-inspired synth flourishes and delayed guitar for a song that wouldn’t be out of place among Top 40 hits – y’know, the ones that are actually good. On “Stay,” the band swaggers through quick punchy drums and glistening synths before retreating into atmospheric ambient guitars and filtered vocals for an emotionally resonant reprieve before kicking the beat back in.

On but do we ever ask ourselves, Hasenmueller finds himself contemplating human connection; a major overarching theme of the album is repelling the throes of a social-media driven existence. Modern communication is more intense and more impersonal than ever. Hasenmueller has always found more spiritual substance IRL and talked at length about the dangers of the new generation’s phone-hooked tendencies.

“Everyone on social media is react, react, react. No one ever asks why or why we think the way we do. Without that, there’s no change happening – just posting and reacting,” he said. “It’s my hope that listeners realize how important it is to take time to connect, and become more mindful in each moment.”

On social media, a person filters everything they see into just the things they like and they project only the best version of themselves – none of the difficulties, darkness, or pathos that’s natural to human existence. Only the good stuff. It’s the same – if not an even bigger problem – for artists using these platforms to get their music out. Luckily in Eau Claire, as far as this writer is concerned – artists thrive on honesty. Local artists that have found success tend to have that in common – honesty. Hasenmueller said he craves authenticity in people and in musicians … maybe that’s the Eau Claire in him talking.

“If you’re not being authentic, you’re faking it. I never want to be a person who fakes it. I can be genuine and write pop songs,” Hasenmueller said. “Artists constantly try to project themselves as someone they’re not. If I’m not projecting my inner self – good and bad – then what am I doing? Art is about truth. Music is about connecting with people. The key is to be honest.”

In the pop genre, that’s especially so. As part of the formula, pop artists often skip over that honesty part in favor of the end result: The dollar signs. The likes. But for The Millenium – as they gear up to do a massive May-July tour supporting the new record – they’d rather keep creating, keep working, meet their fans face-to-face, go to new and exciting places, and play these powerful songs right there in the moment … in real life.

“The beauty of the world is that we’re all different, and that’s the one thing we have going for us. You’re the best version of you possible because there’s only one,” he said. “You can mess up, but you’re not wrong for being you.”

The Millenium’s new album, but do we ever ask ourselves, is available on iTunes and other online retailers. You can learn more by checking out the band’s Facebook page at facebook.com/themilleniumWI.