Mounder Launches Passion Project With a Little Help from His Friends
McCullough’s musical project draws together talented team
Graham McCullough is indifferent about the term “musician,” but working on his musical passion with his professional musician friends has been part of the driving force leading to the release of his new album.
On Oct. 7, McCullough will officially drop Breakers, which will be released under the pseudonym/nickname “Mounder” (he’s a native of Elk Mound). For McCullough, the love of music started at an early age in the Chippewa Valley when he became friends with Karl Markgraf and started learning bass guitar for an early band concept.
McCullough appreciated growing up in Eau Claire because of the rich musical environment it provided. Since then, writing music has remained a passion – a passion McCullough hopes to maintain for the rest of his life. Other musicians on the album are also good friends, and McCullough said it was a pleasure recording with them while working with Minneapolis-based producer Dex Wolfe.
“I’m very proud of this record and am in constant awe of the talent of my friends who agreed to contribute,” he said.
Breakers is a culmination of songs that have been accumulating in McCullough’s folder for quite some time now – since the launch of Mounder’s first EP four years ago. “Releasing your art is such a self-indulgence,” McCullough acknowledged. “You have to believe that it’s worth doing.”
The title Breakers refers to white caps on the ocean, which represent the constant areas of turbulence that life can sometimes take us through. The first track, “NOT NOT OK,” was released Sept. 9. It’s an indie rock number awash in synths, guitars, and Dave Power’s syncopated drumbeats.
McCullough wrote the album’s six songs between 2019 and 2021, sharing files back and forth with fellow musician Andy Hofer until they were ready to record with a band. Last November, they gathered that band and recorded Breaker with Wolfe in North Minneapolis.
In addition to McCullough on vocals, guitar, and keyboards, the album features Karl Markgraf (Drop Diamond) on guitars, Dave Power (Moon Ruin, P•PL, The Staves, and much more) on drums, Pat Keen (Pat Keen, Humbird) on bass, and Andy Hofer (Gentle Guest) on keys and trombone.
Breakers will be available to stream on Apple Music and all other streaming platforms Oct. 7. You can also find it on Bandcamp or check out the band on Facebook.
