Interview by NOTES FROM VIVACE
Photos by WILL COOK
LOS ANGELES – American Mile just released their sophomore album “American Dream.” The album is a triumph of Americana-rock that will have you dreaming about driving across the vastness of the American West. That dream will likely include dropping by a venue to catch one of their 200 shows that they’ve been doing annually since 2021.
And music fans can fulfill a dream on June 12th when the Los Angeles band plays a hometown show to celebrate the album release at the Gibson Showroom. They’ll be playing the album front to back. Head over to the American Mile Instagram or Facebook page for the details.
US Rocker’s Notes From Vivace and American Mile sat down for a Q and A:
Notes From Vivace: What’s the story behind how the band formed?
American Mile: The band formed in 2018 in Los Angeles CA. Eugene and Joe have been there since the beginning, though there have been lots of changes within the band. After doing 200 shows a year since 2021, Dezmond and Colton have come on board as the ultimate rhythm section.
Notes From Vivace: Your sophomore album American Dream just came out. How would you like the album to impact those who listen to it?
American Mile: I would like the album to inspire people, make people groove and dance, give people hope and faith in life. I want the album to let people know, to never give up, to keep going. I also hope it inspires people to write more songs and pick up more instruments too.
Notes From Vivace: Can you share the story of “Photograph of You” and “Waiting on a Sunday”?
American Mile: “Photograph of You” is a love song. It’s about having a disagreement with your significant other, taking some time apart, and realizing you do truly love them. “Waiting on a Sunday” is about the struggle of a single mom trying to make ends meet, working hard every day to provide. And she has hope and strength that everything will work out.
Notes From Vivace: You play over 200 shows a year. Taking a look at your website, it looks like you have around 50 shows set up for the summer. Do you have any suggestions to other bands/singers about the process of booking shows? How to deal with being on the road for such long periods of time?
American Mile: We work with multiple booking agencies to keep our schedule full. I would suggest hiring an amazing videographer and audio engineer, and putting together a very high-end press kit to send to venues or agencies. If you represent yourself really well and invest in yourself, your chances of staying busy are likely. As far as being on the road goes, we love it and it’s our passion. We take small breaks in the action but we truly live on the stage.
Notes From Vivace: Are there any unique, funny, high jinks, mundane, etc tendencies that the band is known for – during sets, band practice, otherwise? With over 200 shows a year, I have to think there are some stories to tell.
American Mile: Off the stage we try to keep everything lighthearted and easy. We have our “Bad Joke Friday” series online so we do tell a lot of jokes to each other. We have band meetings and serious conversations too, but we keep a good balance of fun and work.
Notes From Vivace: I see you guys are into vintage gear. Can you tell me about your most prized piece of gear how you got it and what you use it for?
American Mile: Joe was able to acquire a 67 Fender Deluxe Reverb in Laguna Beach. Dezmond has a 79 fender jazz bass from Laguna Beach as well. Eugene has a really great 62 Gibson Les Paul SG he got in Vermont. We use all our gear to create music, perform, write, inspire, etc. All the vintage gear I mentioned above can be heard on our new album, American Dream.
Listen to American Mile here:
