The Hillbilly Thomists – the Dominican friars who sing- Release Sixth Album, ‘Strange Land’

(ZENIT News / Nashville, Tenn, 08.10.2026).- The Hillbilly Thomists released their sixth album, Strange Land, on July 27. Issued by Dominicana Records, the surprise release is now available.

The new album features the acoustic arrangements, close vocal harmonies and original storytelling that have become hallmarks of the band’s distinctive sound. Its ten tracks range from explicitly spiritual songs such as “In-A-My Soul,” “Gloria” and “Maybe I’ll Rise” to playfully titled compositions including “Garrigou,” “Knockin’ the Dead (Alive)” and “Good Old Elvis.”

“We just released our sixth album, Strange Land, as we begin our summer tour,” said singer-songwriter fr. Justin Bolger, OP. “I’m so grateful for this band of friars I get to make music with.”

The Hillbilly Thomists are a bluegrass and American roots band composed of Dominican friars from the Province of St. Joseph. For the friars, making music is an expression not only of artistic collaboration but also of their common Dominican vocation.

“Recording and touring, though different aspects of making music, are deeply fraternal experiences,” fr. Justin said. “When touring, we get to bring the joy of our shared Dominican life and the Gospel to enthusiastic crowds.”

The new album also reflects the band’s continued musical development. Fr. Austin Litke, OP, a singer and mandolin player, pointed especially to “Stormy Weather” and “The Providence Waltz” as examples of the songwriting and musical talent the friars have cultivated.

“People like the band first because of the novelty of a bunch of friars playing music, but then they listen and see that there’s real musicality and depth to the work,” fr. Austin said. “This album shows how we’ve coalesced more as a band and are able to play off each other more effectively.”

Musical unity and fraternity

That growing musical unity is forged through a recording process that demands both creativity and fraternity. Fr. Joseph Martin Hagan, OP, the band’s drummer, described the challenge of taking the basic structure of each song and developing it together in a short period of time.

“That takes a lot of honest conversation, trial and error, and back and forth,” fr. Joseph Martin said. “Do that sixteen times in a row, and brotherly love needs to flex a bit.”

For fr. Joseph Martin, contributing to another friar’s song is also an act of trust.

“I love getting to receive my brothers’ new music and to be trusted to craft the right drum part,” he said. “These songs are so personal to their authors, and to be welcomed to play on them—that’s holy ground.”

The band’s summer tour includes appearances at parishes, theaters and festivals from Providence, Rhode Island, to Nashville, Tennessee. Along the way, the friars have also performed for communities of Dominican nuns.

The tour will conclude in Nashville on August 8, the Solemnity of Holy Father Dominic, at the Dominican Campus operated by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. “That will be a joyful way to finish our tour,” fr. Justin said.

Listen to the album now on Spotify and other major streaming platforms.

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