JC Miller releases new single Dead Horse Ranch

 

Seasoned country-rock artist JC Miller presents his new single 'Dead Horse Ranch', released with American indie imprint Tilt Records. A captivating tale, Miller takes us to an actual little-known point on the American map in Arizona - a place impressive enough to inspire this powerful new song.

This worthwhile journey follows those pursued on his latest singles 'Wayward Son' and 'Before Nightfall'. As ever, his music is intricately related to the American landscape, both geographically and socially, as reflected in his lyrics "Fall in Walnut Canyon / A forever formation / Something bigger than you / The force of nature breaks through / We’re all a small part of this place".

A Southern California-based Detroit-born guitarist and songwriter, JC Miller weaves stories through the prism of sonic archaeology, unearthing the spirit of Americana and giving it voice through resonant melodies and via geographic landmarks discovered on his own personal journeys.
A prolific artist, JC Miller's output is a product of his partnership and friendship with iconic musician-producer Marty Rifkin, known for his work with Tom Petty, Glen Campbell and Jewel, and also as a member of Bruce Springsteen's The Sessions Band on pedal steel guitar.

Offering a breath of fresh air amidst the overproduced world of country music, Miller crafts relatable songs brimming with infectious melodies and down-to-earth charm. His songs are rooted in the fabric of America, showcasing a true master, whose work is infused in deep affection for its Southern realms.

Offering a breath of fresh air amidst the overproduced world of country music, Miller crafts relatable songs brimming with infectious melodies and down-to-earth charm. His songs are rooted in the fabric of America, showcasing a true master, whose work is infused in deep affection for its Southern realms.

"I like to write about mountains and trees and places, and people you meet on the road… the musings of a nomadic life of a traveling musician -- a recording of things that becomes a kind of Atlas Obscura – the small stories, the real people, the defunct places ... Dead Horse Ranch is a place in Arizona that really sets the tone, an unlikely name for a sublime spot on earth … I am a Sun Belt lifer … Arizona, New Mexico, California, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida," says JC Miller. 

"It is a search for authenticity and at the same time a journey of self-discovery. My father’s family is from all of these places, but mainly situated in the Bogalusa, Baton Rouge area in LA … I also love the desert and am especially inspired by the high desert."

Evoking a grounded sense of place through his music, Miller's sound has a Southern-fried edge and a transportive authenticity. He makes songs that feel at home in neon-lit diners, long highway drives, desert expanses, and sun-soaked small towns.

Creating music for wanderers, Miller pays homage to his guitar and songwriting heroes, inspired by timeless artists like Neil Young, Leon Russell and The Band as much as the unfussy yet potent prose of writers like Larry McMurtry, Ernest Hemingway and Cormac McCarthy.

“I’m not trying to hide my sources. I’m trying to add footnotes, carry on the southern and western, southwestern frame of mind. I feel like I am representing another generation of storytellers. I’m trying to paint a picture through music, where the lens is focused on the deeply personal, but it can also be universal," says JC Miller.

Music is a labor of love for JC Miller, having spent years as a sideman and composing for corporate titans like Coca-Cola and Nike. Now he's ditched the boardroom for the pleasure of creating his own music.

Imbued with an intentional sense of timelessness, JC Miller crafts anthems that resonate with the soul of America, inspired by the gradual rediscovery of history - of his own family’ and America at large. Tastefully blending classic Americana and rock echoes from history, woven through his masterful guitar work, each song is like a map, charting the path to self-discovery.

As of July 19, 'Dead Horse Ranch' is available everywhere online, including Spotify, Apple Music and elsewhere, where his latest series of stunning singles may also be found.

'Dead Horse Ranch'  https://youtu.be/lP5OqGNUZe8

Pre-save / order the single  https://bit.ly/4bUt04a

'Wayward Son'  https://youtu.be/0tCyhKv90LY

Pre-save / order the single  https://bit.ly/4clj1pM

'Before Nightfall' video  https://youtu.be/Rnw87NgpNs8

Order the single  https://bit.ly/3ReRNsn

'Land of Grace'  https://youtu.be/1B-4sP6CyHc

'Ode to the Open Road'  https://youtu.be/NuV5gwa_nWc

Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/track/5nVP8QjFlaIqg0F6XrCXep

Apple Music  https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jc-miller/1360715794

CREDITS

Written by JC Miller

Recorded by Marty Rifkin at Marty Rifkin Studios (Santa Monica, CA)

Mixed, mastered & produced by Marty Rifkin

JC Miller - Guitar, Bass, Piano, Organ, Vocals

Marty Rifkin - Pedal Steel

Edo "Tank" Tancredi - Drums

Cover artwork by JC Miller

Executive Producer: Gabrielle Doré

Released by Tilt Records

Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

VIDEO CREDITS

Filmed & edited by Ryan Coney

JC Miller - Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals

Marty Rifkin - Pedal Steel, Bass

Edo "Tank" Tancredi - Drums

Julian Rifkin - Guitar, Vocals

Dead Horse Ranch lyrics 

Antelope Spring

Santa Fe Railway

Clearing my mind

The Shangri-La spot this time

Towering summit where

The snow never melts

On top of Mars Hill

Army of Shadows

Bear Jaw on the trail

Leave the world hightail

Mount Elden with its mythic

White icy sunbelts oh-oh

Old Blackjack Ponderosa Pine

The universe versus the lonesome dove

But just looking straight up

At all the silvery stars above

Find release

Real peace in the stunning sightline

Dead Horse Ranch splintered winter branch

Old Blackjack Ponderosa Pine

Dead Horse Ranch splintered winter branch

Crescent moon I’m tuning in to the sublime

Along Route 180

Bathed in red sandstone

The Rio de Flag

Dressed in ragtag

I’m a mystic misfit

On a mission for bliss

Fall in Walnut Canyon

A forever formation

Something bigger than you

The force of nature breaks through

We’re all a small part

Of this place I reminisce oh-oh

Old Blackjack Ponderosa Pine

The universe versus the lonesome dove

But just looking straight up

At all the silvery stars above

Find release

Real peace in the stunning sightline

Dead Horse Ranch splintered winter branch

Old Blackjack Ponderosa Pine

Dead Horse Ranch splintered winter branch

Crescent moon I’m tuning in to the sublime

Keep up with JC Miller

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