The realms of indie rock, psychedelia, and Americana
Austin’s Aaron Miller is most easily recognized as one of three “frontmen” in the synth-pop trio Sphynx, who in the last few years played shows with Walk The Moon, Imagine Dragons, Jungle and Questlove, as well as popular festival dates at Austin City Limits and SXSW.
The band were featured in NPR, USA Today, Fuse, Dallas Observer, Austin Statesman, Austin 360 and other notable PR outlets in the US and Europe and their song, “Shadow” was featured in the series finale of a popular US TV show, Nashville. But with the way this year has been going, it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that there’s a hard left turn coming.
Enter Josie Lockhart, Miller’s new solo endeavour that finds the experienced singer-guitarist stretching into the realms of indie rock, psychedelia, and Americana. The debut single, “Like Lightning” was mixed by Chris Coady (Beach House, Grizzly Bear, Future Islands, Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and exclusively premiered as the KUTX 98.9 Song of the Day in August. The single went on to be featured on BBC, NPR, and American Songwriter Magazine and streamed worldwide. “One Second To Midnight,” the second single from Josie Lockhart, found success in the blogosphere and on Spotify and brought Josie’s fusion of indie rock, psychedelia, and Americana into focus to see 2020 out.
‘If There’s A Heaven’ is the third single from Lockhart’s upcoming album, Santa Rosa. Mixed by Chris Coady, the song’s soaring guitars, shimmering production, and vocal hooks paint a scene of life’s beautiful fleeting moments while the chorus ponders the existence of an afterlife.
Santa Rosa was performed and recorded by Miller at his home studio in South Austin during quarantine and mixed by indie rock legend Chris Coady. The album’s blend of dream pop, indie rock, and Americana make for an auspicious debut. Miller’s melodic instincts and vocal stylings shine as ‘Santa Rosa’ meanders through backbeat grooves, post-punk rhythms, psychedelia, and progressive country. After years of developing as a songwriter, ‘Santa Rosa’ delivers the first instalment in what promises to be a diverse catalogue.
The album explores themes of grief, isolation, and love, set against a backdrop of a supernatural reimagining of the American West that Miller has spent years traversing in a tour van. Miller ruminates on the afterlife and human existence while recounting tales of adventures both true and imagined. These sonic and lyrical elements combine to create a dynamic and textured world. It’s a treat to spend forty-five minutes in ‘Santa Rosa.’
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