My guest this week is Courtlyn Bills from the band Magoo.
Magoo is a progressive bluegrass quartet based in Denver, CO, redefining the boundaries of traditional bluegrass with a fresh, contemporary approach. Known for their electrifying live performances, the band creates a unique experience that blends extended improvisations, intricate original arrangements, and tight three-part harmonies. Their foot-stomping grooves and energetic stage presence leave audiences both inspired and enthralled.
Songs featured in this episode:
All songs featured during the episode are available to listen to HERE!
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Courtlyn Bills of Magoo on Learning Mandolin, Touring and Recording What A Life
Courtlyn Bills of Magoo on the Mandolins and Beer Podcast discussing mandolin, songwriting and recording the album What A Life.
Introduction
Some musicians spend decades developing their voice on an instrument. Others find that voice almost immediately—and then dedicate themselves to catching up technically.
That’s exactly what happened with Courtlyn Bills, mandolinist for the Colorado-based progressive bluegrass band Magoo.
In Episode 300 of the Mandolins and Beer Podcast, Courtlyn joins host Daniel Patrick to discuss his unconventional journey from rock guitarist to full-time bluegrass musician, how he immersed himself in the mandolin, and what it took to become the driving force behind one of the fastest-rising bands on today’s festival circuit.
The conversation covers everything from practicing six hours a day and learning bluegrass “on the job” to recording Magoo’s outstanding new album What A Life. Courtlyn also shares an incredible amount of detail about his recording process, favorite mandolin gear, picks, strings, microphones, live effects setup, and how his engineering background influences the band’s sound.
Whether you’re an aspiring mandolin player, a recording enthusiast, or simply a fan of modern bluegrass, this episode offers plenty of inspiration and practical advice.
Episode Highlights
Courtlyn Bills Didn’t Grow Up Playing Bluegrass
Although many bluegrass musicians begin learning traditional music at a young age, Courtlyn’s musical roots were very different.
Growing up in Texas, he first learned guitar before spending years playing rock and progressive music. Influences like Plini, Chon, and the String Cheese Incident helped shape his musical vocabulary long before he seriously explored the mandolin.
Discovering the Mandolin
Courtlyn shares one of the most unique origin stories ever told on the podcast.
After first picking up a mandolin in 2019, he quickly became fascinated with the instrument. Initially he focused on Irish melodies and melodic playing rather than traditional bluegrass before eventually discovering the music that would change his career.
Joining Magoo Changed Everything
Meeting the members of Magoo at Telluride proved to be a turning point.
Determined to join the band, Courtlyn committed himself to practicing five to six hours every day for months, rapidly developing the technical skills necessary to perform bluegrass at a professional level.
His story proves that focused practice combined with musical curiosity can produce remarkable results in a relatively short period of time.
Recording What A Life
One of the biggest surprises in the interview is learning where Magoo recorded the album.
Instead of booking an expensive commercial studio, much of What A Life was tracked inside Courtlyn’s garage studio using carefully selected microphones, quality preamps, and an analog workflow before being mixed and mastered by experienced engineers.
The result is a warm, dynamic album that feels incredibly natural while still sounding polished enough for national release.
Mandolin Gear Deep Dive
Gear lovers will appreciate this section.
Courtlyn discusses:
- His Triple I mandolin
- Pick preferences
- Monel strings
- Live effects
- Line 6 Helix programming
- Recording microphones
- Pickup and microphone blending
- Recording philosophy
It’s one of the most detailed gear conversations featured on the podcast so far.
The Difference Between Practicing and Performing
One of the biggest takeaways from the episode is Courtlyn’s perspective on live performance.
He explains that learning songs is only part of becoming a professional musician.
Learning to remain calm under pressure, perform consistently, and communicate with bandmates in front of an audience is an entirely different skill that only comes from experience.
Favorite Quotes
“The practice isn’t the songs. The practice is learning how to stay calm.”
“You’re never going to sound like Sam Bush. You have to sound like yourself.”
“Just commit and move on.”
Gear Mentioned
Mandolin
Triple I F-Style
Strings
Custom Brightwood Music 10.5 gauge Monel strings
Pick
Token A3
Live Rig
- K&K Twin pickup
- Audio-Technica ATM35 microphone
- Line 6 Helix
- Stereo signal chain
- In-ear monitors
Five Things We Learned
- Bluegrass doesn’t have to be your musical starting point.
- Consistent practice can accelerate learning dramatically.
- Songwriting often begins with emotion rather than theory.
- Recording great albums doesn’t always require a major commercial studio.
- Live performance is its own unique discipline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Courtlyn Bills?
Courtlyn Bills is the mandolin player for the progressive bluegrass band Magoo.
What mandolin does Courtlyn Bills play?
A handcrafted Triple I F-style mandolin.
What strings does Courtlyn Bills use?
Custom Brightwood Music 10.5 gauge Monel strings.
What pick does Courtlyn Bills use?
A Token A3 pick.
Where was What A Life recorded?
Much of the album was recorded in Courtlyn’s home garage studio before being professionally mixed and mastered.
Listen to Episode 300
If you enjoy conversations about mandolin, bluegrass, recording, and songwriting, Episode 300 is packed with practical advice and behind-the-scenes stories from one of today’s most exciting young players.
After listening, be sure to check out Magoo’s latest album, What A Life, and, if they come through your town, catch them live. Their energy on stage is every bit as impressive as what you’ll hear on the record.