Jaik Miller Band: press

"Think of Elvis Costello meets the Bodeans with extras...you are going to love this band."

Singleoftheday.com
Essentially this is a daily blog that will be a song that fits the mood I’m in for the day or what’s currently happening in my world. It will always be a band or artist I think you should know about, and support by purchasing the music or seeing them play live. Who knows, you might dig my taste in others enough to even support me in my creative endeavors as well.
Date added May 02, 2008
Title Feature: Single Of the Day
Description

Where are the May Flowers?
Today's Style: Reggae Thursday May 1, 2008

Jaik Miller Band - Website
Keep Movin - on iTunes
Jaik Miller Band - Full CD

My my miss May, how’s your first day?

I’m thinking I’d like to be groovin. As it’s said in a Cameron Crowe film - every passing moment is another chance to turn it all around. There’s a lot of truth in that. Last night I got a chance to see a co-writer (Mark Luna) perform at a songwriters night. The added bonus was Rob Giles. I’ve featured him in the past - Boom Bang. Mark’s voice was in fine form. Having not seen Rob it was a treat. That boy has got some very cool ideas for songs. My favorite of the evening was Blame LA. Absolutely funny and brilliant lyrics.

That was at Cafe Cordial. Another co-writer (Aubrey Richmond) joined me for a while and from there we went to Ireland’s 32 to see some friends of her playing. In addition there was a band called Bourbon County playing as well. They were the Should I Stay or Should I Go band from last friday on Frost, Heidi and Frank (KLSX 97.1 free FM). I introduced myself to them when they were done so that I could talk to them about featuring them here on Single of the Day.

As I was there I was thinking to myself, it’s interesting in LA that so much can happen in a single evening and yet so few people were out and about on a wednesday evening. I know I go through bouts where I’m not pushing myself as hard as I usually do, but are people no longer happy to keep moving?

Which brings me to today’s selection. Jaik Miller. Don’t ask me to pronounce that first name, I’m not sure what it would be. However, from the moment I heard this song start I was hooked. That guitar riff and the crazy wha effect he’s got on it was too cool. Along with the bouncy head bobbin’ groove, it all combines to be seriously cool.

Vocally I was taken back to some things my dad used to play while I was a sprouting boy. I’m kinda thinking elements of things like Elvis Costello and David Lindley. Of course there’s the obvious stuff musically like Bob Marley, but I’m sure there’s a lot more than that. I can’t quite place my finger on it. Which is a good thing cause that means I can think of Jaik as original in my book.

Besides, who really doesn’t want to keep moving and who doesn’t dream? Show me someone who isn’t dreaming or moving and I’ll show you someone who is dead. You don’t want to be dead right? That’s what I figured. Go get some life and pick up Jaik. I think it’s a matter of life or death!

"Jaik has made a beautiful album. Now the world is his lobster."

Jaik Miller Band - Next Big Hit?

On May 6th, Truth Movement records will release the self titled debut album from Jaik Miller Band. Jaik Miller, the singer, songwriter and namesake of the band has been around the New York music scene since the early 1990’s having fronted Xanax 25 a well known and loved band. Xanax 25 worked with the likes of Warren Haynes, Suzanne Vega & Elijah Allman, all who appeared on now hard to find Xanax 25 albums. Through the years, Jaik has played with countless New York music legends.

That was then, this is now. Jaik has found a great group of musicians to join him, foremost among them JP Bowersock who many of you will know from his long tenure with Ryan Adams & The Cardinals and his work with The Strokes. JP produced the new Jaik Miller Band album and is also a full time member. The other members of the band are; Max Tucker (drums/vocals), Garth MacAleavey (guitar/keyboards/vocals) and Craig Robison (bass).

Jaik Miller Band has been playing shows throughout New York City since their inception in May 2007, consistently honing and fine tuning their sound. They recently started to get recognized by the online music community in Europe having had their new album reviewed by the Rootstime blog out of Belgium March 2008 (note, blog not in English). They were also featured in the March 2008 Dressed Up and Stripped Down Podcast on The Next Big Hit.

This coming Friday, April 11th Jaik Miller Band will be playing songs from their new album at the world famous Bitter End which has been showcasing music in New York City since 1961. Some of the many artists that have graced The Bitter End stage over the years are: Miles Davis, Donny Hathaway, Etta James, Billy Joel, Dr. John and many more. The band hits the stage at 10 PM sharp.

This is a band that has found the right mix of players and the right groove. If you live in the New York City area go see Jaik Miller Band this Friday and hear for yourself what the fuss is all about.

...one of the most enjoyable and fun, (that's right, fun) bands to emerge today. Jaik has put together an ensemble and written songs that will rock you in such a positive way that you'll forget everything else. This is a "must have" CD. And if you are fortunate enough to have the chance to see them in concert, DO IT!! If you do miss the chance, then print up a kick me here sign and have a friend tape it to the appropriate body part.

(four stars)

Jaik Miller Band


Usually twelve songs for scarcely 36 minutes is seen as not getting one’s money worth. It also indicates that the songs are pretty brief.


In the case of Jaik Miller Band we are prepared to overlook this for once. The first studio CD of this band makes me think of the time we still bought vinyl records and were glad we could hear a series of original songs via the wobbling needdle through the speakers.


In the nineties Jaik Miller played for six years in a group called Xanax 25 and produced two CDs with them. No doubt he was always a big fan of country-rock singers such as Tom Petty, Graham Parker and John Hiatt. It is with a same rawness in his voice and music he swings in his rock songs and it is hard to keep your feet still while listening to these songs on his debut album.


“Another Good Look”, “Social Disease”, “Anything You Don’t Want” and “4447” rock like the beasts and are timeless and energic songs that stick. We are convinced that the Jaik Miller Band with their songs can cheer up several nights in some Brooklyn clubs.

Unexpected but very striking is their reggae tinted song “Keep Movin” with a nice repetitive guitar sound that you cannot get out of your mind, even not when trying. I let that song play three times before getting to the other songs. “Orange sunshine” is quieter and is sung grippingly with Jaik’s Miller nasal voice. Now and then Jaik’s voice sounds a bit boozed up and slipshod like Tom Waits uses to sing his ballads. “Sweet Illumination”, “Your Own Light”, “There’s A Whole World on Fire” and “After Last Call” are sensitive ballads with Jaik Miller singing in a somewhat naive but emotional way which we know of Vic Chestnutt. Sublime and gripping.


I think I will follow up this man closely for a while because he could just be one of the discoveries of this year.
(translation:Hildegarde Meganck)

Jaik Miller Band Jaik Miller Band (Truth Movement)

Something about this release makes me think of vinyl, American new wave mixed with the grit and glory of a country rock free at last from the self-pity and the tears. This new recording recalls the ghosts of the first two Tom Petty releases and almost famous and always cool artists like John Hiatt and Graeme Parker.

There is a timeless and easy grin feel to this, no airbrushing the anger and the heartbreak, but… that grin, that energy, never falters.

4447 is pure single, a song the listener knows and loves from the first rolling verse, sliding easily into the air and waiting for national fame when the band (WILL) eventually play Austin City Limits. (not being of the US of A, i have no idea if that show is still going but oh i hope so).

That is not to say there is no darkness on the edge of Miller’s town, many of the tunes come weary from the fight (Furthermore) and ready to brawl ( Social Disease) and in ‘After Last Call’ you can feel the heaviness of the night and the stories of the bar as clearly as any Waits ballad.

There are no clever, ‘oh look at me’, twirls in this, but every instrument including Jaik Miller’s spine tingling vocals recall the very best of Vic Chesnutt and the subtle playing of the DBs.

http://www.myspace.com/jmbrocks