B.MILES TALKS XMAS SOX

Behind the Coastline

You are reading an independently published interview-series published and carefully curated by Swedish pop-culture journalist Daniel John. Ever since its start in 2015, the core curiosity remains the same, surfing the creative currents of music, film, fashion and everything else on the pop-radar, catching the waves of culture as creative

Culture Coast TalksDaniel John

Be it in the melancholia or the joyous, Christmas songs certainly has a way of reaching people emotionally at either side of the spectrum, this time will either be gifting us a reminder of all we have, or all which we do not. ‘Xmas Sox’ to me seems like the perfect Christmas song for anyone to get some free holiday-therapy done this season?

The writing process for this song was very quick, something I always find is a good indicator of how a song will translate when it’s complete. The poem that ultimately drove the creation of this song was written a couple years ago and it was the first poem that I wrote after my album 'Different Pages' came out. The words just fell out of me. I showed them to my songwriting partner, Eric Nizgretsky, and it was such an effortless process turning those words into song. Within a couple of days working on this one, we felt that we had a great anchor in the idea of “christmas socks” as a metaphor, but also were able to make the melody evoke that same emotion that they hold in the lyrics. Most every song I write is driven from personal outlook or experience, and 'Xmas Sox' very directly speaks to a particular evening that I went through right after a break up.

Does that pretty much nail down what songwriting is for you. What is it you get out of putting things into songs?

I enjoy being able to write about my experiences. It is an outlet for me. The challenge in writing about your experiences is also being able to make them feel relatable to other people. While none of our experiences are identical a lot of things that we go through are similar, it’s part of my job as a songwriter to take my personal experiences and make them feel like they relate to somebody else's, so that they can feel connection to the song. To me, that’s what songwriting is about, creating something that connect with people, and makes them think of their own experience.

How early on were you already set on the life you now lead?

Very early (laughs). I always knew I wanted to be a performer, since I was a toddler. However songwriting did not really enter my life until I met my songwriting partner, Eric, in college. That’s when the idea of B.Miles was formed. It took us a couple of years to really nail down what we wanted B.Miles to evoke emotion wise, and what sound we wanted to tie to that emotion, since we have been working on this project together the course has changed many times, but the direction has always been clear.

So you and Eric Nizgretsky met in college. What's makes you two such good collaborators?

I met Eric in college in a very small songwriting program. Within the first day of hearing him perform an original song, I knew I wanted to work with him. His melodies and chordal structures are is what really jumped out to me, and the first time we wrote together, it was effortless, it’s been over ten years now of us writing together, and we know each other's process a little too well. I know how Eric is going to approach trying to pair a melody to a poem I’m showing him, and Eric knows how I am going to try to drive emotion in words, after working with someone that long, there is comfort and relief that comes in being able to create with them. And you’re able to push each other to give your best output because you know what the other person is capable of.

I’ve seen you talk in interviews before where it seems like your parents, not least dad, had some influence on your artistry, even down to wanting your very first word to be “Beatles”?

My parents are avid music lovers. I grew up in a house with a lot of different music. Yes, my father is a massive Beatles and Rolling Stones fan, but he’s also a lover of classical music, as is my mother, who loves to dance. Not only did we have Mozart playing in the house, but we also had musical theater shows and ballet performances in each room. Very rarely, was there silence in the house. Neither of my parents are professional musicians. Although I do believe my dad wishes he was as he is a self taught guitarist, and my mother dabbles in violin and piano.

A good thing about ‘Xmas Sox’ is that nobody will not lose out on any indie-pop-cool even when uninterruptedly listening to a Christmas song all the time. What are your own Christmas go-to's, whether they are all guilt or all pleasure?

I love all of the Christmas-guilty pleasures! Embarrassing to admit, but I listen to Christmas-music throughout the year, not just during the holiday season. I think because Christmas music is associated with happy memories and nostalgia, if I need a pick-me-up, even if it's in August, I will put on Mariah Carey’s Christmas album or the Peanuts.

You have not had many silent nights. Being as busy as ever on stage. What does your rest of the year look like?

We are in heavy writing mode right now and have been since the release of 'Different Pages'. I think it's important to always create. There’s always something to write about and it keeps your skills sharp and exercises your emotion and your ability to put emotion into words and song. There will be a lot of new music coming out next year.

Next year of course is a big one, with it being ten years since ‘Twenty Fifteen’ released?

I can’t believe it’s been ten years since the release of 'Twenty Fifteen', it’s quite a humbling moment to recognize how long Eric and I have been doing this together. There will definitely be a celebration of 'Twenty Fifteen' next year. But there will also be celebration of new songs.