Miles in the Press
Excerpts from recent reviews
"Cain's incisive, poetic songs combine passion, soulfulness and humour, be it heartfelt emotion in the acoustic title track, the radio-friendly ebullience of Stay With Me 'Til Summer, or the paranoid blues of A Man Outside Your Door."
- Charles Hutchinson, The Press
"Miles presents a huge spectrum from the wistful Americana title track through to the skiffle influenced ‘Stranger In This World’ to the upbeat pop of ‘Mystery Girl’. Recorded at Moor Lane Studios in York and being more than ably supported by some of the City’s finest musicians, Miles now has an album of which he can be rightly proud."
- Dean St John, The Talk
"A very confident and uplifiting album. It's got a folky feeling, and is quite inspiring. Good production, too."
- Martin Cordiner, BBC North Yorkshire "More Raw" Programme
“His appreciation for natural music and skill, both musically and lyrically, has given him the gift to write well crafted songs.”
- Sandman Magazine
“This works on a lot of different levels, from excellent production to the quality of the songs, with tracks like “Ignore The Thorns” and “A Man Outside Your Door” ensuring he reaches an ever-widening audience.”
- Jim McLaughlin, Whitby Musicport Organiser, writing in “The Link”
"there is a passion and flare here that is all his own...he proves time and time again that he is a multi-faceted musician...Cain has pop sensibilities that may yet carry him to national success."
- The Talk Magazine
"...this is a songsmith who...offers a hugely enjoyable set of diverse tracks...there is a true talent emerging here..."
- Cross Rhythms Magazine
Miles Cain Interview with Dom Smith (February 2007)
Miles Cain is an eclectic and spirited York-based singer-songwriter. His rise to becoming one of Britain's most promising artists has spanned almost two decades. Since 1989 Miles has been honing his skills. Now, in 2007, experienced and full of life, Miles releases his new album "A Way Of Being Free" on April 30th. It's a collection of work that reflects the musical journey of Miles Cain.
Q : What are your main influences to list?
A : I would say: Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen, Ray Lamontagne, REM, Thin Lizzy, Abba, Nirvana, The Wallflowers, Counting Crows, Del Amitri, Billy Bragg plus loads more...
Q : What is it that that you dislike most about the music industry currently?
A : Stupid A & R people who jump on bandwagons and don't actively look for genuine talent. A friend of mine played a showcase in a band last year in London and afterwards one of the comments was "we need something a bit more ska!" Which seems pretty dumb to me.
Q : How do you want people to feel after they come away from a Miles Cain gig?
A : I'd like people to go away thinking "That was great - great music, good fun, we had a laugh and it was real. I'd rather that than people thinking the musicianship was amazing but going out feeling miserable. I think the best gigs are life-affirming, you go home feeling glad to be alive. That's what I want my gigs to be about.
Q: What can people expect from your new work in comparison to say your 1993 debut "The Dark and the light?"
A : I guess I used to be really complacent, but now I'm becoming more of a perfectionist. After a while you get a lot more critical. This work is a little more personal, I think. This seems more natural to me, and more focused. Before we were using drum machines, I think that was a big mistake in reflection! It's got to be done naturally!
Q : Obviously as a writer, you pride yourself on your lyrics to create a message, do you think songwriting is appreciated enough in the music industry today?
A : The songwriting element is such an under-rated aspect of music. There's a lot of emphasis on image, which is bad news for me cos' I'm not cool, or remotely close to it. But I am a good songwriter. And that really comes across on the album, which I am really proud of.
Q: Were there any particular themes you wanted to communicate when writing the new material?
A: I think different songs reflect different themes : "A Man Outside Your Door" is really a reflection on fear and paranoia in modern society. I think people are frightened a little by what is happening in the world, although it is also about fear on a more personal level, too. Some of the other songs reflect my spiritual interests. "Ignore The Thorns" is about keeping positive and happy. "A Way Of Being Free" is about the human search for happiness and personal satisfaction. This all sounds rather pompous - I'm just trying to answer the question !!!
Q : What's your favourite song of the new album and why?
A : Oh, Definitely "Man Outside Your Door," it's a mysterious dark and ominous tune, It's a chance for me to get heavier, and I really like that. I've always tried to explore the more intense and dark side within my music you know? I've always liked some of the moodier bands, Nirvana and Pink Floyd, who have that heavy, dark tone going on.
Q : There are loads of different tones on this album, "Stay With Me Till Summer" is really light and breezy, while "A Man Outside Your Door" and "Oceans" are much more slower and more moody. There's a bit of everything, how do you want people to think of Miles Cain the artist?
A : If people say "This guy writes great tunes", then I'm really delighted ! Really it all comes down to that. I've always felt that the best albums - like "Sgt Pepper", U2's "The Joshua Tree", Springsteen's "Born To Run" and loads of others reflect a lot of different styles and moods and approaches. You get to the end of "Born To Run" and you feel like Bruce has taken you on a journey - that's what I'm trying to do with this album, and also what I tried to do with Different Destinations in 2004. I think music is a reflection of life in all its fullness - that means that in a single day you can feel elated, despondent, chatty, reserved, shy, outgoing, angry and generous....I think making music is just the same - it reflects the way in which human beings are maleable creatures with many aspects to them.
Q : What are you most proud of achieving thus far in your career?
A : I'm proud of having stuck in there over the long haul. I'm really, really proud of that. A lot of people give up along the way and it seems such a shame. "Victory comes to the most persevering" is a saying that keeps going through my head. I'll drink to that !