The very relatable LA-based country-rock artist JC Miller presents his new single ‘Dead Horse Ranch’. The name may sound like a metaphor of sorts, but this is an actual place. This slice of sonic goodness from this seasoned artist, is out on Friday via American indie imprint Tilt Records.
On the trail of his latest singles ‘Wayward Son’ and ‘Before Nightfall’, Miller is back to delight listeners everywhere with his new catchy ballad. As ever, his songs are intricately related to the fabric that makes up America – both past and present, as reflected in his lyrics “Fall in Walnut Canyon / A forever formation / Something bigger than you / The force of nature breaks through / We’re all a small part of this place”.
Once again, Miller takes us on a heartfelt journey. This veteran American storyteller’s work is rooted in the rich soil of country music, the songs grapple with the heart of this nation, warts and all. infectious melodies and down-home grit weave an unforgettable tapestry, showcasing a true master of the craft.A patriot’s voice ringing true and clear, this is a fine earful for fans of Bonnie Raitt, Lyle Lovett and George Strait.
A Southern California-based Detroit-born guitarist and songwriter, JC Miller’s songwriting efforts are comparable to storytelling through sonic archaeology, unearthing the spirit of Americana and giving it voice through addictive melodies. Evoking a grounded sense of place through his music, Miller’s sound has a Southern-fried edge and a transportive authenticity. He makes songs that feel at home in neon-lit diners, long highway drives, desert expanses, and sun-soaked small towns.
A prolific artist, his output is a product of his partnership and friendship with iconic musician-producer Marty Rifkin, known for his work with Tom Petty, Glen Campbell and Jewel, and also as a member of Bruce Springsteen‘s The Sessions Band on pedal steel guitar.
“I like to write about mountains and trees and places, and people you meet on the road… the musings of a nomadic life of a traveling musician — a recording of things that becomes a kind of Atlas Obscura – the small stories, the real people, the defunct places … Dead Horse Ranch is a place in Arizona that really sets the tone, an unlikely name for a sublime spot on earth … I am a Sun Belt lifer … Arizona, New Mexico, California, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida,” says JC Miller.
“It is a search for authenticity and at the same time a journey of self-discovery. My father’s family is from all of these places, but mainly situated in the Bogalusa, Baton Rouge area in LA … I also love the desert and am especially inspired by the high desert.”
Creating music for wanderers, Miller pays homage to his guitar and songwriting heroes, inspired by timeless artists like Neil Young, Leon Russell and The Band as much as the unfussy yet potent prose of writers like Larry McMurtry, Ernest Hemingway and Cormac McCarthy.
“I’m not trying to hide my sources. I’m trying to add footnotes, carry on the southern and western, southwestern frame of mind. I feel like I am representing another generation of storytellers. I’m trying to paint a picture through music, where the lens is focused on the deeply personal, but it can also be universal,” says JC Miller.
Music is a labor of love for JC Miller, having spent years as a sideman and composing for corporate titans like Coca-Cola and Nike. Now he’s ditched the boardroom for the pleasure of creating his own music. Imbued with an intentional sense of timelessness, JC Miller crafts anthems that resonate with the soul of America, inspired by the gradual rediscovery of history – of his own family’ and America at large. Tastefully blending classic Americana and rock echoes from history, woven through his masterful guitar work, each song is like a map, charting the path to self-discovery.
As of Friday, this single will be available everywhere online, including Spotify, Apple Music and elsewhere.
CREDITS
Written by JC Miller
Recorded by Marty Rifkin at Marty Rifkin Studios (Santa Monica, CA)
Mixed & mastered by Marty Rifkin
Produced by Marty Rifkin
Performed by JC Miller & Marty Rifkin
JC Miller – guitars, banjo, piano, keyboard bass, vocals
Marty Rifkin – pedal steel, drum programming
Cover artwork by JC Miller
Artist photo by Ava Doré
Music Producer: Marty Rifkin
Executive Producer: Gabrielle Doré
Released by Tilt Records
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Discover more about JC Miller
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