INTERVIEW:
Kane Miller
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I am ending my day …
by speaking with Kane Miller about his new single, Could It Be, and how it came together. I ask whether there might be more material next year and what sort of music inspire him; if there are some rising artists to look out for and which albums mean the most to him.
Miller discusses his tastes and what his plans are regarding 2019; if he gets chance to chill away from music and if he has any plans as to what he wants to achieve by the end of this year – he ends the interview by selecting a great track.
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Hi, Kane. How are you? How has your week been?
Hi! My week has been great. My new single, Could It Be, came out this past Friday so this weekend has been hugely exciting. I got to see it added to some playlists on Spotify and Apple Music - which have some of my favourite artists on them - so that has been crazy so far.
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?
My name is Kane Miller. I’m a singer-songwriter from Lakefield, ON. I grew up as a Classical violinist and have kind of turned that into Acoustic-Folk/Pop thing. I’ve been collaborating with Grammy-winnning producer Femke Weidema over the past year and I released my first single, All We Need, through her label last August - and we’ve just released my second single, Could It Be.
Could It Be is your new track. What is the story behind it?
Could It Be was a song I wrote about a year ago and only had parts together without the feeling of a full song. This past spring, I took a trip to Nashville to work out some writing on this song and others and it really, kind of, came together at that point. A chorus formed and Femke and I were able to finish up writing it.
It’s a song about that blurry, confusing time at the end of a relationship where you are remembering all of the good (and bad) things and you find yourself stuck in this cycle of hope and despondency all at once.
Might we see more material next year do you think? Are you working on other songs?
Yes! Definitely! I have plans to release another single early in the New Year, followed up by a couple more.
Was your early life filled with music? Which artists did you follow when growing up?
When I was seven; I started taking Classical violin lessons which I stuck with through to the end of high-school, playing in orchestras and competing, the whole deal. I also took piano lessons, even before that, and played a couple other instruments before picking up the guitar in high-school. My dad played piano as well and has been releasing stuff since long before I was born, so our house was always really full of music.
The music I listened to growing up was really varied. Tons of classical along with the Prog-Rock my dad would listen to. When I got to high-school; I really started listening to my own stuff which, I guess, Damien Rice would be the biggest part of that.
Is Ontario a great place for a musician? Is there a good scene there?
Ontario is an amazing place for musicians! I come from a small town called Lakefield, outside of Peterborough, which has a great music scene in itself. There are many great groups that have come from Lakefield - and then having a hugely artistic city like Peterborough right next door means the music is so amazing around here.
What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?
I honestly don’t know. Every turn so far since recording in Nashville and releasing music has been so great. There have been a ton of things that pop up constantly and I love every moment of it.
Do you already have plans for 2019?
Yes! I’m going to be releasing another few singles followed by an E.P. I’ve already got the next music video planned in my head and I can’t wait to get started on it. I’ve been writing songs non-stop and I’m super-excited to share them!
Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?
Wow! So many great memories. I think my first trip down to Nashville to record my own songs was definitely one, recently, that sticks out. I remember playing guitar and having this moment where I was over the moon because I was actually getting to work on my own songs with people and not just sitting in my bedroom at home anymore.
Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?
Damien Rice – O
This album was introduced to me when I was sixteen, a little after it came out. It’s been arguably the biggest influence on the music I write. This is a highly emotional and acoustically-charged album that I spent hours with, even learning pretty much every song on it.
Sufjan Stevens – Illinois
This album is so great and creative. The way everything blends together and the fact so many crazy choices regarding instrumentation and arrangements maybe don’t work on paper but really make Sufjan a musical genius.
Josh Ritter – So Runs the World Away
My first introduction to Josh Ritter. I love so much of his stuff but this was the first album of his I heard. This is storytelling at its absolute best. He really knows how to write amazing songs.
If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?
Damien Rice. Hands down. I love his stuff and would do anything to be on that show.
Rider-wise; I’ve worked a ton as a tour manager and a sound guy for bands in the past. Everybody has different rider requirements and I’ve sent way too many emails about them (to really be picky). I’d be happy with a couple bottles of water and maybe a hot meal.
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
Work at it and play, play, play. You’ve got to be super-comfortable being you in order to make your music. It’s really hard to get going in the music industry but you’ve got to be able to give it your all which, at times, will feel like everything is spiralling out of control. You’ve got to work hard and stick with it.
Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?
I don’t actually. I’m working hard on that for the New Year. So, check in again soon!
IN THIS PHOTO: Dean Lewis
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
Dean Lewis is someone who I haven’t been able to stop listening to, though he’s been doing stuff for the last couple of years. Belle Mt is another one who has some really great songs out right now.
Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
I live pretty immersed in music all of the time but I wouldn’t change that for the world. Really, I love playing and, to unwind, I usually love a nice cold beer and then I play more music or do play some Celtic fiddle tunes with friends.
Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
Dean Lewis – Be Alright. On-repeat pretty much constantly on my iTunes. I love the emotion and the production is awesome
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