Miles Nielsen- Voice/Guitars
Daniel James McMahon- Electric Guitars/Voice Andrew Scarpaci- Electric/Upright Bass Micky Rosenquist- Big Drums Charles Koltak- Little Drums/Percussion Daxx X Nielsen- Medium Drums Hayward Williams- Guitars/Voice Barton Bishoff- Guitars
Influences
The Beatles, Cheap Trick, Jellyfish, Otis Redding, Modern Day Street Noise, the Jayhawks, Gram Parsons, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, Tom Waits, Robert Johnson
Sounds Like
Listen to me on:
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Absolute Power Pop Review:
Miles Nielsen-Miles. The debut album from this Illinois pop-rocker (and son of Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen) is an engaging treat. Nielsen describes his sound as "Beatlesque cosmic Americana", and he's hit the nail on the head as these tunes are melodic, trippy and rootsy - often at the same time. Listen to "A Festival", the shambolic and charming opening track, and you'll be sucked in. "Gravity Girl" is another winner, sounding like what his dad's band might have been had they gone in a more countrified direction. Also of note: the bouncy "1938", "Don't You" (which reminds me of another similar rock scion, Jordan Zevon), and the sinuous rocker "Hey Hey Hey". The broad appeal of this disc should find him fans the indie and Americana crowds as well as the power poppers.
CD Baby Review:
“Beatlesque Cosmic Americana.” That is how Miles Nielsen describes his music and he is right on the money. He has a gruff and ragged voice that still manages to come across as warm and inviting. Musically, Miles uses Beatles bounce, barroom twang, and bells-n-whistles production techniques to create lush pop and folk that plays nicely against the melancholy his songs convey. It is as if Josh Rouse sang for Jellyfish in some alternate universe of goodness...
Rockford Register Star Review:
On Rockford native Miles Nielsen’s solo debut CD, “Miles,” his surly voice among melodic and poppy kaleidoscopic songs is appealing. A Beatles-esque formula with straightforward lyrics about relationships, love and life experiences can be found in this collection. “A Festival” starts off the CD with a dreamy keyboard/flute interlude that introduces Miles’ best Bob Dylan- and Tom Petty-inspired vocals. CD closer “The Crown” displays a melancholic-yet-uplifting mood.
— Kelley Simms, Rockford Register Star
A Rockford, IL born singer/songwriter came into this world knowing that life would be a journey filled with musical adventure and tall tales. A bloodline of music stemming back to his great grandfather, grandfather, and father, left Miles no choice but to follow in the same musical footsteps that had been stamped out before him. Miles stated, “ Most of my childhood was spent on a tour bus traveling across the country with Cheap Trick.” That is where his songwriting began to develop.
The songs that began to pour out were obvious childhood wonders “ No New Skin Ever Again “ a tale that is a constant about a child’s wonder if his first serious wound would ever heal. “ Don’t Wanna Be a Bricked UP Window “ looked at life through an old windows’ mind as to the loss of never seeing or dreaming again. These were just a few of the songs that sparked Miles into believing that there was a better way to daydream. “Songwriting has always been a way for me to meld the world of dreams and real life together.” The songwriting process that Miles has developed is a testament to a life dedicated to music.
Miles Nielsen live is an emotional intimate experience that will leave you wanting to laugh, cry, dance, and dream……. “ Music is the only language that can speak to everyone’s soul.”
Doin good man. It's been a while. Sorry to say that I am just now discovering your music... and it is Awesome! Needless to say I will be checking out some of your live shows soon. Miles is one of the few new albums worth buying this year IMO. Keep it up bro!
Hi! My mom and Jeff (her boyfriend) have seen you perform twice this past summer, and told me how I should come with them next time because I'd like your music... I'm so glad I went with them! You and the band were awesome! I plan on coming and watching you perform in Dec. when you're in Rockford again!
ps it was nice meeting you too and thanks for taking a picture with me : )
Saw the wandering sons on Fallon last night. The band was awesome, see ya at the bar on Thursday night. Have a safe trip and tell Dax I said Hi...Later....
