2014-02-28
Miner is a six-piece Los Angeles-based
folk-rock group lead by lead vocalist and guitarist Justin Miner. His wife Kate
Miner (vocals, mandolin, ukulele and harmonica), his brother Jeremy Miner
(banjo and lead guitar), his cousin Amanda Koosed (keys), and longtime friends
Justin Krook (bass) and Dave Schechtman (drums and percussion) make up the
band. Into the Morning is their debut
album, released February 25, 2014. The group first gained recognition after
Justin Miner, Kate and Jeremy released a demo of "Hey Love" on SoundCloud in
2012. Recently, they made it to the final three for VH1's December Artist of
the Month and were featured on an episode of the CW's "Heart of Dixie." Their
music has been described as "sun-soaked" by Earmilk, and Sacramento News & Review praised their "bluegrass style vocal
harmonies." Their debut album opens with a complex vocal welcome of the
morning, quickly moving into a full band build in "Golden Ocean." Their first
single, "Hey Love," is a foot stomping love song. Justin Miner and Kate share
lead vocals with twangy guitars building beneath them, in "Big Sur." Mandolin
and banjo create an intricate rhythm in "Coal Mine" that brings the song to an
explosive finish. Sounds of nature bookend the album, as you experience the
sounds that inspired Justin Miner's song writing.
Richard Martin
The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.