When Miles Miller stepped onto the stage at Bourbon & Beyond, the crowd already knew they were in for something special. The Versailles, Kentucky native has long been known for his powerhouse drumming, but now, with his own project, he’s stepping firmly into the spotlight—singing, playing, and leading a band of his own.
“It’s fantastic to get to do my own project stuff at a well-known festival with amazing artists on the lineup,” Miller says with a grin after his set. “The crowd, the vibes—everything felt right.”
A Family Legacy of Music
Music wasn’t just a choice for Miller; it was in his DNA. “Everybody in my family played music,” he recalls. “My grandparents, my great-grandparents—both sides of the family. It was inevitable. That’s probably why they named me Miles. I never thought about doing anything else. There was always music.”
That innate connection meant there was never a “lightbulb moment” when he decided to be a musician. It was simply who he was. “I just felt it in my soul,” he says.
On the Never-Ending Journey
When asked if playing one of Kentucky’s biggest festivals feels like he’s “made it,” Miller laughs. “No, you’ll never feel like you’ve made it. And that’s the goal. You don’t ever want to arrive there. If you do, it’s time to switch it up. It’s supposed to be a continuous journey, not a destination.”
It’s a philosophy he carries not just in career milestones but in songwriting and creativity.
Advice for Young Artists
So what advice would he give a younger version of himself—or any artist starting out? Miller pauses before answering: “You’ve got to live some life to make anything of value in music. If you’re going to write, you need something real to write about. Don’t rush into it thinking you’ll get famous overnight. Be patient. Live first, then let the songs come out of that.”
Of course, he jokes about TikTok being an exception: “If you can dance your way to the top, more power to you!”
The New Album: Stripped Down and Raw
Miller’s new album, which dropped the same day as his festival set, was born in an unusual way. “I booked the studio time before I had all the songs,” he admits. “So I holed up in a house and just wrote about life, about what had been happening.”
The result? A record that’s uniquely his. “This one’s special because it’s really just me and a bass player. I played all the drums, all the acoustic and electric guitar. There’s a steel player on a couple of tracks, but otherwise it’s stripped down—just us. No expectations. Just making music for what it is.”
Writing for Himself—and the Crowd
When it comes to songwriting, Miller balances his own expression with audience energy. “It’s starting to shift in a good way toward thinking about the crowd. Like, ‘Would this be fun to dance to?’ But I’ll always write for myself too. You can’t get rid of that.”
His dual favorites reflect that balance: “Live, I love playing ‘Lose My Number’—it’s funky, rhythmic, fun. But if I’m sitting with just a guitar, my favorite is a quiet song called ‘Just Another Ghost.’ I’ve never played it live, but it means a lot to me.”
What’s On His Playlist
When he’s not on stage, Miller is a jam-band devotee. “I’m a huge Dave Matthews Band fan, always have been. But I also love digging up random records from the ’70s that no one’s ever heard of. That’s the vibe I get into.”
What’s Next
Miller isn’t slowing down. “Next up, I’ve got some opening shows in Texas with Neal Francis, then some October dates. It’s really about getting into this new era—me singing and drumming,” he says. “Putting the miles on Miles,” I summarized.
But before the road calls again, he takes a moment to offer one final message: “Go be nice to somebody today. Show love to somebody. We need that in the world more than ever. Do it with love.”
Check out Miles Miller on all streaming platforms, socials, and via his official website for the latest updates and releases.
The founder of Happy Hippie Creative, Courtney Bell, was born and raised in Western Kentucky, where she developed an early interest in art and photography. She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Arts Administration and moved to the Cincinnati area in 2019. She has worked with various clients and organizations, such as local businesses, nonprofits, and festivals, to showcase their stories and products through her images.
Courtney Bell is not only a photographer, but also an avid art, music and live performance lover. She loves supporting her local communities and attending events that celebrate the diversity and culture of Cincinnati, OH. She loves using her time and skills to document and promote the work of local artists, musicians, and performers. She believes that art and photography can bring people together and inspire positive change in the world.
