Biography
Johnny Miles is an American songwriter and recording artist whose eclectic body of work ranges from indie-rock-pop to country-folk-blues, with special focus on the grey areas where the beautiful meets the brash and the boundaries of genre begin to blur. Heavily influenced by art, literature and film, Miles’s work aspires to capture and create the album as an equivalent experience.
With the new release of Everything Is Contagious, his 5th album in 10 years, Miles returns with an unlikely collection of 12 unstoppable pop songs as only he could deliver them. Recorded on a laptop in a living room in South Philly with co-conspirator Ross Bellenoit, this upbeat, uptempo set is Miles’s most fun work to date. “We worked very fast,” says Miles “there were no second takes or second guessing and I think that energy level really comes across.” Despite the candy coating, songs such as “Love In Recession” and “Magnetic On” still manage to cut deep. “I liked the idea of that juxtaposition...the irony of serious social commentary on the digital age as brought to you by pop songs recorded on a laptop was very appealing to me.” Performing everything from cell phones to vacuum cleaners to literally the kitchen sink, these irresistible tracks feel as immediate as they do blissful, while still packing the serious punch fans of Miles’ work have come to expect. |
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On stage, Miles is equally adept in the role of solo folk troubadour as he is leading his 5 piece band “the Waywards”. He has performed everywhere from train stations and street corners to clubs, theatres and festivals, touring regionally in the northeast and southern US. Based in Philadelphia, he has appeared at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Philadelphia Folk Festival, the XPoNential Music Festival, and has been recognized by the Philadelphia Songwriter's Project. On stages large and small Miles continues to convert new audiences, quietly but consistently establishing his place among the artists of this generation worth paying attention to.
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w/ the Waywards @ Johnnybrendas
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Discography:2014 Everything Is Contagious - Johnny Miles
2012 Lost Treasure Found - Johnny Miles & the Waywards 2010 When The Saints Sleep - Johnny Miles & the Waywards 2007 Sign Of The Times - Johnny Miles 2004 Awakening - Johnny Miles |
@ Citizens Bank Park
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Selected Press:
"Miles is a master at joining together word and sound to form something greater...each song resonates with passion and power...A new American folk hero."
- Uwishunu Philly, Click Here
“Johnny Miles will fit into your music collection filed under the genre of “great music”...His songwriting skills have been perfected...but even his earliest work shows his natural ability for songwriting.”
-Helen Leicht, WXPN
“Johnny Miles cruises the blacktop between rock ’n’ roll with graceful workingman’s swagger"
- Tara Murtha, Philadelphia Weekly
"Any fan of Wilco, The Avett Brothers or Bob Dylan would be able to find something to love about Johnny Miles."
-Wonkavision
"Miles doesn’t try to be an old soul, I think he really has one.”
- Herohill
"A singer-songwriter worth watching.”
- Online Folk Festival
On "When the Saints Sleep":
"There’s something new to love right now. And that magical new-ness is being given to us by Johnny Miles and the Waywards. In the new “When the Saints Sleep,” Miles delivers a folk rock like you’ve never heard. It’s got this classic-meets-modern booty shakin’, body rockin’ rhythm, with an added layer of heartache, hope and chutzpah that could only come from someone brave enough to put it all out there for the world to see. Miles is an artist who would much rather connect with his audience on a personal level than lob plastic hits at them from a big, heartless machine. That same desire for a connection is apparent in this release. In every line, chorus and riff, you can feel a connection with the past, present and future. And you get the sense that if these Waywards can make a connection, so can you. "
- Bits & Watts - Click Here
"Miles’ songwriting is about everyday people making his music easily accessible, true-to-life rock and roll, with a healthy dose of Americana and folk. This album has moments of solo, seemingly personal refection to moments of finely crafted rock and roll by The Waywards. In the control of those extremes Miles tell his stories so well."
- One Fan At A Time - Click Here
On "Sign of the Times":
"It’s a quick scribble across the American landscape...The lyrics are commanding...has the hard-bitten self-awareness of a protest song as well as a hooky alt-country catchiness”
- Doug Wallen - Philadelphia Weekly - Click Here
"The twelve-track twangy slice of Americana is the perfect addition to any folk lover’s collection. Although he takes a minimalistic approach to his music, there is nothing simplistic about this folky wunderkind. Any fan of Wilco, The Avett Brothers or Bob Dylan would be able to find something to love about Johnny Miles. "
- Wonkavision - Click Here
"It’s a gorgeous record when I think about where it has taken me, not only musically, but the photographs that flash in my mind from Johnny’s accomplished lyricism...To be affected by how he captures images, that’s really what great music is all about.”
- The Musicologist - Click Here
- Uwishunu Philly, Click Here
“Johnny Miles will fit into your music collection filed under the genre of “great music”...His songwriting skills have been perfected...but even his earliest work shows his natural ability for songwriting.”
-Helen Leicht, WXPN
“Johnny Miles cruises the blacktop between rock ’n’ roll with graceful workingman’s swagger"
- Tara Murtha, Philadelphia Weekly
"Any fan of Wilco, The Avett Brothers or Bob Dylan would be able to find something to love about Johnny Miles."
-Wonkavision
"Miles doesn’t try to be an old soul, I think he really has one.”
- Herohill
"A singer-songwriter worth watching.”
- Online Folk Festival
On "When the Saints Sleep":
"There’s something new to love right now. And that magical new-ness is being given to us by Johnny Miles and the Waywards. In the new “When the Saints Sleep,” Miles delivers a folk rock like you’ve never heard. It’s got this classic-meets-modern booty shakin’, body rockin’ rhythm, with an added layer of heartache, hope and chutzpah that could only come from someone brave enough to put it all out there for the world to see. Miles is an artist who would much rather connect with his audience on a personal level than lob plastic hits at them from a big, heartless machine. That same desire for a connection is apparent in this release. In every line, chorus and riff, you can feel a connection with the past, present and future. And you get the sense that if these Waywards can make a connection, so can you. "
- Bits & Watts - Click Here
"Miles’ songwriting is about everyday people making his music easily accessible, true-to-life rock and roll, with a healthy dose of Americana and folk. This album has moments of solo, seemingly personal refection to moments of finely crafted rock and roll by The Waywards. In the control of those extremes Miles tell his stories so well."
- One Fan At A Time - Click Here
On "Sign of the Times":
"It’s a quick scribble across the American landscape...The lyrics are commanding...has the hard-bitten self-awareness of a protest song as well as a hooky alt-country catchiness”
- Doug Wallen - Philadelphia Weekly - Click Here
"The twelve-track twangy slice of Americana is the perfect addition to any folk lover’s collection. Although he takes a minimalistic approach to his music, there is nothing simplistic about this folky wunderkind. Any fan of Wilco, The Avett Brothers or Bob Dylan would be able to find something to love about Johnny Miles. "
- Wonkavision - Click Here
"It’s a gorgeous record when I think about where it has taken me, not only musically, but the photographs that flash in my mind from Johnny’s accomplished lyricism...To be affected by how he captures images, that’s really what great music is all about.”
- The Musicologist - Click Here