News

Ones To Watch 2013 – Will Miles

• 6th Dec 2012

London based singer songwriter Will Miles was born and raised in the West Country and is the first solo artist in this little feature. Drawing from folk and blues traditions he has a fine voice and writes evocative and memorable songs. Miles is a young man with a big future. His sound is modern and vibrant and has echoes of some of the greats.

Just in case anyone doesn’t know you, how would you describe yourself and your music?

I just try and write the best songs that I can, songs that tell real stories that people can relate to. Whether they are sad or optimistic it doesn’t matter because I’m not trying to please a mainstream audience. I guess it’s all in the blues vein, not just regular blues, but the idea of blues as a myth that has a really relevant place in the world, that place is somewhere you can access and hear real soul. Which is what makes the music I make ‘alternative’.

Have you released any albums or singles so far?

I’ve just released a double A side single containing two tracks, ‘Shallow Water’ and ‘Angela’. These were recorded at the same time as a whole album’s worth of material, but I’m not sure whether that will be properly released yet

What’s been the highlight of your career to date?

Every time I play with my band it’s a highlight on a highlight, it’s constantly evolving, and improving with every show. At the single launch we had the lead singer of ‘Murderbarn’ singing/playing with us, I love male/female vocal harmonies. Whenever you accomplish your entire vision for something in a moment, live, it ‘lives’, and that’s the best feeling, there’s a lot of love that goes into it, from everyone involved

Who are your main musical influences?

I don’t think there are any ‘main‘ ones, but the ones that speak to me the most would probably be Leadbelly, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Velvet Underground, Neil Young, Cave, Cash, Springsteen, Hendrix…etc. I also love some jazz, Keith Jarret, Miles Davis.. soul like Bobby Womack, Van Morrison.

What lessons about the music business have you had to learn so far?

Many, but mainly just do things yourself, and stay true to yourself. My opinion of most new music in the commercial mainstream is very low. And lately I’ve come to realise that a lot of older artists are kind of suffocating the scene, there should be far more emphasis on new talent, new voices with something to say, not just nostalgia trips, which ironically, so many new artists are bending themselves to be

Where can we find out more about you – website, social media, etc?

Yeah, the usual, Facebook, Bandcamp, Twitter, Youtube. I got my own website too which glues them all together: willmilesmusic.com

And what do you hope that 2013 will bring for you?

The plan is for more big shows, some festivals, more writing, recording and releasing. Just keep working hard and increasing the audience.