MiLES.’ relationship with music started early, the Atlanta singer learned to play the piano by the age of six, eventually moving on to guitar, drum, and bass before adolescence. His early teen years were foundational to development as an artist, because it’s when he started mixing his own gift for music with his love for artists ranging from Stevie Wonder to Steve Lacy, developing a sound that combines R&B, funk, and alternative music with a dash of electronic music for good measure.
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MiLES.’ career began on SoundCloud, which he used to grow his audience when he first started uploading music to the platform roughly three years ago. His single “I Wanna Be On Your Mind” currently has over a million streams on SoundCloud a year after its release. Now, at just 18, MiLES. is writing, composing, and producing his own music, like “Say the Word” and his latest release, “Oxygen”.
The latter evokes memories of 2000s R&B, blending a smooth jazz groove, crisp drums, and a multi-instrumental breakdown complete with a hint of saxophone as MiLES. sings about learning to accept that certain things aren’t good for you, despite how you feel about them.
“It’s about breaking the cycles of pushing away good things in your life and settling for things that feel good, but really aren't all that good for you,” MiLES. says. “Recognizing your own short-sightedness, your own wrongs and feeling secure enough within yourself to grovel in apology for someone else.” For MiLES. specifically, it speaks to him understanding that sometimes, it’s necessary to set aside his pride.
MiLES. is proud of how he combined different genres on “Oxygen” to make something that feels unique to him as an artist. “I’ve always wanted to make something that felt like it could be played by both an ‘80s alt-rock band and jazz ensemble,” he explains. “I think I got pretty close.”
MiLES.’ songwriting displays a willingness to embrace his vulnerability, speaking for everyone unable to articulate certain feelings on their own. That’s who he’s proud to call his audience.
“I want to make music for people like myself—people who have a lot going on, but work to mask it…I want my music to be the soundtrack for people, especially Black men, who want to express themselves, but don’t always have the words to do so.”
MiLES. is very talented and has all of the tools to get even better over time. Listen to MiLES. on SoundCloud.
LISTEN TO MILES.
