Brooke Miller’s playlist

East Coast siren Brooke Miller is a long way from the shoreline she calls home.

The singer-songwriter is currently wrapping up a tour in Japan with fellow guitarist Don Ross.

The two are returning to Canada to celebrate the release of Brooke’s self-titled album out this week.

Upon her return, Brooke is giving herself a few weeks to catch her breath and will take on Eastern Canada with a handful of selected album launch show dates. Then come November, she heads back out with Don Ross. Destination Europe.

“I tour my brains out!” Brooke explains. “But even if I’m constantly adapting to new surroundings, I prefer to come back to water.”

By the water on Prince Edward Island is where Brooke began her career at the young age of 12. She has since toured Canada, the US, Europe and Japan.

“Growing up here, it’s hard to be away from the salt water for very long,” she adds. “The Maritimes are a special place and there’s a lot to love.”

No matter where Brooke is in the world, the East Coast is in her heart and its music in her ears. Brooke narrows down some of her Maritime-favorites that remind her of home sweet home.

Neo I – Aaron Collier
“Aaron is one of these pianists that can make you head spin. This collection of songs are all improv piano and beats he’s made on the spot. He is masterful in the ways of programming, creating loops spontaneously and layering piano parts to create something completely unexpected. What I love about this track, not to mention the whole album, is how he builds the beats right on the track, you’ll never hear this song played the same way twice. Brilliant!”

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I Were the Bird – Rose Cousins

“From Rose’s album The Sendoff, produced by Luke Doucet. This whole album is a some of Rose’s finest work. Rose has a stellar voice with a clarity that gives me the same spine chills as when I hear Alison Krauss. It sends me. The arrangement is perfect for this tune. The rich ethereal guitar, the tempo set by the drums right off the top, and a great bass riff along with a sweet acoustic guitar line. The use of the strings are beautiful and the incredible sparse piano chord pads. This by far is one of my favourite Rose tracks. I find myself always singing along in harmony. The bridge breakdown to half time tempo kills me too.”

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Like The Way You Said  – Stephen Fearing

“Stephen is by far one of my favorite singer/songwriters going today. He’s got guitar chops that heavily compliment his compositions. This song reminds me of everything I love about groove. The chugging train like tempo of the muted low end, splashes of open strings on the upbeat, and a rhythm and groove to the sung lyrics that make my right shoulder move. This song gets constantly stuck in my head! Stephen has a million songs that I love over and over again. This one though, does something to me.”

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River Rat – Carmen Townsend

“Carmen rocks my world! She’s not afraid to scream on her guitar and is the head office of her own power-trio. She’s loud, open tuned, and this song is just that. I love how almost unintelligible the lyrics are in this song. Carmen has a rhythm and melody that she sings right along with her syncopated guitar pattern in a wide open C tuning. Huge drums sound, booming bass and a guitar and voice you can’t mess with. A recipe to steel my heart.”

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Paper Thin  – In Flight Safety

“Great beat to this song. Great guitar sounds. Reminds me of some of my favorite moments in 80s-90s pop bands. John Mullane and Daniel Ledwell’s vocals are rich and just raspy enough. Beautiful loud thick chorus, beautiful harmonies. This band is built on fine musicianship and songwriting. They are definitely one of my favorites from the East Coast. In Flight Safety are getting the international recognition they deserve. I love this band!”

Brooke Miller’s self-titled album is available now. The video of lead single, “Cannonball,” can be viewed here.

Brooke’s Canadian Album Launch Dates:

October 21 – Halifax, NS – The Carleton
October 22 – Charlottetown, PEI – The Guild
October 27 – Sherbrooke, QC – La Petite Boîte Noire
October 28 – Montreal, QC – Les Pas Sages (5 p.m. to 8p.m.)

Posted by Marc Andrew on Sep 30 2011. Filed under Celebrity Playlist. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.