About
Finn Miles is an eclectic mix of acutely insightful and literate prose in an Indie/Folk-Americana wrapper led by songwriter/singer Paul Gratton.
Musically, Finn Miles ebbs and flows from lush arrangement to sparse tranquility in comfortable fashion. Acoustic and electric guitars, harmonicas, flutes, glockenspiels, trumpets, rhodes piano, thundering drums, and earnestly delivered vocals set this group apart from most Midwestern rockers. In fact, Finn Miles is more a collective than a bounded entity, consisting at it’s most basic form with Paul Gratton; but often encompassing his wife Laura Gratton on trumpet, along with multi-instrumentalist/producer/brother/wonderkind Scott Gratton and a wide array of friends and neighbors who fill out the sound on tours.
“Every show, every night is special. We love to play around with the songs and really feel out the community and the vibe in the room. I don’t want to ever just go on ‘autopilot;’ as artists we’re creators; each performance is undeniably unique.”
Concrete language, rustic sensibilities, and wide open arrangements give the group’s first EP “Branches” a whimsical, yet grounded spirit. Exploring spiritual longing, reflecting on human nature and the healing power of relationship through the language and lens of great thinkers, Branches relies on memorable melodies and folksy production to cut across genre.
On Finn Miles’ second offering, dubbed “Telltale,” the lyrics dive deeper into loneliness, alienation, and the desire to find “a better way.” Hints of distortion, layers of Rhodes piano, and jangly electric guitars spread out like miles of cracked concrete, an ode to modern life.
Citing influence from from groups such as U2, The Envy Corps, Bob Dylan, The Postal Service, Nick Drake, and The Arcade Fire, Finn Miles continues strongly in the tradition of conscientious songwriting and ear-catching melodies.
