"How can you take my breath from me without saying a word?"
-Kirksville
Who, exactly, is Miller Howell? Miller Howells no stranger to the singer-songwriter world of coffeehouses: acoustic guitars competing with schoolbooks and sorority sisters for the crowds attention. Hes also known the other side of the fence: that rock n roll grit of seedy bars and dark clubs. In a previous life, Miller was the frontman for indie rock quartet Cheating Kay, a band that formed while he was in college and lasted into early adulthood. Through two full-length albums, an EP, and too many Midwest miles to count, Miller found himself growing both as a person and songwriter.
" The people in that band taught me how to be a musician," he says. " How to sing, how to manage the business side of things, how to expand the boundaries of your own creativity."
Now, an older, wiser Miller has reemerged with Habits Can Be Hard to Break: six songs about traveling through life, getting from point A to point B, and experiencing all moments in between. " Tomorrow Comes" begins the disc with a somber look forward and an inventory of past essentials: " Had a good job, had a good life, had a good love, had a good cry." An angrily strummed " Missing You " raises the tempo, Millers strong voice soaring over the heavy frets to ask disbelievingly, " Oh girl, did you just say the words?" " Im Here" is equal parts lullaby and love song, an ode to a fallen friend, while " Kirksville " allows the listener a heart-wrenching view of a breakup.
Moving storytelling: its what has already endeared Habits to his fans, new and old. The initial response easily fits into his definition of success. "I just released an EP that my fans, friends and family are really happy with," he says. " And I really see myself as already having made it."
Not that Miller doesnt want you to pick up the CD and make it a part of your life; he does.
" Id love other people to be along for the ride," he says.
Shotgun, anyone?
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