An Exclusive interview with David Michael Miller
An Exclusive Interview with David Michael Miller by Richard Lhommedieu on Mixcloud
SAME SOIL is a tribute to the fertile blues/roots tradition influencing David Michael Miller’s unique style, following the heels of his breakout album, Poisons Sipped. Co-produced, mixed and engineered by Grammy Nominated producer, Mike Brown, at Temperamental Studio (featured on American Pickers), over half of this album was tracked with pre-WWII instruments and using old mic’ing techniques. Along with the vintage equipment, David brought in a host of veteran players to bring the songs to life including keyboardist Jim Ehinger (Bonnie, Raitt, Albert Collins, Billy Vera and The Beaters), saxophonist Jason Moynihan (Buddy Guy) and drummer Carlton Campbell (of The Campbell Brothers). David explores songs inspired by Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, Bo Diddley as well as a blend of americana, soul and gospel influences.
The album features songs that take the listener from hard driving acoustic blues, through greasy shuffles, gospel beats, slow moody ballads, on to funky blues rock and concluding with a heart wrenching song written to honor his grandfather who passed on during the recording of the album.
I grew up mostly in the country, south of Buffalo, NY, in Allegany County. At a very young age I began singing in church, surrounded by gospel music, which has impacted my writing to this day. Growing up through the 70’s and 80’s, I was exposed to all different styles of music, learning piano, sax and eventually, guitar. Blues, R&B and soul music always inspired me though I never embraced those forms until much later in life. I was composing from a very early age and was recording my own church albums at the age of 12. In college I did a short internship in Nashville and was somewhat disillusioned by the music industry. Not long after, I was married to my high school sweetheart, started a family and got away from pursuing music for a few years.
Church kept me connected to music, and round 1995 I started a band called Painted By Moses out of Buffalo, influenced by the Seattle scene, releasing a couple albums of songs I had written that sold over 2500 copies in a couple years. We had radio airplay all around the United States on college and niche stations, playing several large festivals in Western New York through Chicago.
After several more years of almost exclusively playing gospel music, my thoughts on religion evolved and I began writing differently, and finally letting my blues and soul influences rise to the surface. Inspired by Buffalo artists such as Tommy Z, I started a band called Beautiful Bones with my son Joshua, my nephew Nick Peterson and the legendary keyboard player, Jim Ehinger, writing and performing blues and soul all around WNY. We had the privilege of opening for several national acts including Joe Bonamassa and David Allen Coe.
With changes in direction of the members of that band, I joined with members of the Todd Eberwine band to form Dive House Union (DHU), a 6 piece jam band, fusing rock, blues, soul and funk. With DHU, I was the lead singer and primary writer, contributing most of the material for two live albums, one recorded at Kleinhans Music Hall and another at the Aurora Theater. With DHU, I also had the privilege of sharing the stage with many national acts such as Tedeschi Trucks, Jonny Lang, Gary Clark Jr., Bobby Blue Bland, Jimmie Vaughan and many others. DHU has toured regionally and competed in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, making it to the semi-finals.
Most recently, my work on a solo album, Poisons Sipped, has afforded me unexpected international airplay, accolades, chart positions on the Roots Music Report, as well as birthing the formation of a new band from the musicians on that record, Miller and The Other Sinners (MATOS). This band is made up of members of The Campbell Brothers (Carlton and Darick Campbell), Jay Moynihan (Buddy Guy), Jim Ehinger (Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal) and other amazing artists from WNY. While working on our first EP, I had the opportunity to do a separate solo album, Same Soil, with Grammy nominated producer, Mike Brown, to be released July 1st. Same Soil was recorded with the help of some of the incredible musicians here in WNY, tracked in Temperamental Studios in Geneseo, NY, with 50% of the album recorded with pre WWII instruments. This album is dedicated to the memory of my grandfather, Myron Miller.
“I’m on a train that won’t slow down..” lines from a new song. I hope to draw the world’s attention to the sound of WNY music…. DMM
PRESS:
“David Miller’s music is earthy and soulful. A bluesy rock style, a rich voice and guitar, along with years of experience, it adds up to a musical pilgrimage that attracts attention and stimulates a crowd. People get interested, and that’s golden!” – Holt Vaughn, Founder and CEO of the Award Winning group of media companies TheEastcoGroup.com
“Miller is one of the finest soul-based singers in our region, and throughout “Poisons Sipped,” he proves he’s also one of our most vibrant songwriters. Elements of gospel, R&B, electric blues and singer-songwriter leanings collide here to form a collection of elegant, stately and eminently grooving songs, delivered with consistent passion. This is incredibly spirited stuff, and it represents a new high-watermark for Buffalo-born recordings.” – Jeff Miers, Buffalo News
“Dave has a great soulful voice that may be the best sounding to have come out of WNY since Billy McEwen, his songs are catchy, funky, full of meaning as is his tasty guitar work.” – Tommy Z, International Recording Artist
“Poisons Sipped is a perfect cocktail of Blues, Soul, and Gospel flavors! Do yourself a favor and treat your ears to one of the best albums of the year!” – Selwyn Birchwood, Alligator Records Recording Artist
“From “old-school” blues/ rock to sweet soul and gospel David Miller knows his stuff. A singer/songwriter and storyteller singing from what he has experienced, Miller is one of those guys who plays it from the heart. The notes falling from his guitar are drenched with passion and, when he opens his mouth and begins to sing, you know it’ nothin’ but the pure unadulterated truth. David Michael Miller is the real deal. If I had to label Miller, I would most likely call him a soul singer but, he is so much more. With each time that I listen to Poisons Sipped, I hear something new. This is an album that is destined to become a classic, passing down through the ages as one of those things that we all come to know and love.” – Bill Wilson, Reflections in Blue
HONORS and HIGHPOINTS:
2014 and 2015 Buffalo Night-Life Magazine – Best Male Blues Vocal
Represented WNY Blues Society at International Blues Challenge 2013 and 2014
Participates in the Blues in the Schools Programs
Semi-Finalist, 2013 International Blues Challenge w/ Dive House Union
Poisons Sipped debuted at #24 on RMR Blues Chart
Over 36 consecutive weeks in RMR Top 15 Blues Rock Albums
Performed at Artpark, Kleinhan’s, Aurora Theater, Harbor Concert Series and many local venues, bars and festivals
Residency with members of The Campbell Brothers at Central Park Grill
Shared the Stage with Tedeschi Trucks, Gary Clark, Jr., Jonny Lang, Bobby Blue Bland, Jimmie Vaughan, Shemekia Copeland, Joe Beard, Joe Bonamassa, Devon Allman and many, many more.
Accomplished Songwriter, Singer, Guitarist, Producer
Co-founder of the DHU Strand Theater and DHU Productions, LLC
2015 Spark Award Winner – “Best New Artist of The Year”
https://open.spotify.com/album/0kKUbUKAFdjxT1oZyzKKkZ
