Emile Millar
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Emile Millar

Santa Barbara, California, United States | INDIE

Santa Barbara, California, United States | INDIE
Band Alternative Singer/Songwriter

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"Emile Featured on FOX NEWS AUSTIN"

FOX NEWS talks about Emile's new EP release and career. - FOX NEWS


"Rock `n' Roll Call: Emile Millar"

Emile Millar has a new five-song EP and also a distinction few others can claim - he grew up in Gaviota, a wide spot in the road north of Santa Barbara which used to consist of a greasy spoon restaurant and a Standard station - both long gone. Actually, he grew up on the Hollister Ranch where his parents grew flowers and he became a finhead at cool spots like Rights and Lefts - Gaviota was the closest town - the state beach remains but the ranch is off limits except for a lucky few (I spent a few months there once camping at Coho Bay) Millar lives in Austin now and geography aside, this guy's really good. On the opening tune, ``Heartbreak,'' Miss Take - the One for him - fell in love with the picture on the cover of a magazine. Now hell, who hasn't done that more times than we'd care to admit? For me it was the Shue - Elisabeth Shue - smoking hot on the cover of something just as ``Drinking Las Vegas'' came out. There's another song, ``Just Like It Seems,'' a haunting hymn about a homeless woman - a situation just a cruel twist of fate away for 99% of us. Millar is a tuneful, thoughtful folk rocker who has had his music in all sorts of TV shows and movies and should find a spot in your music library. Local equivalent: Todd Hannigan. - Ventura County Star


"Emile Millar scores another soundtrack win with 'Parenthood,' aims for broader music success"

Emile Millar began to get nervous as he watched "Road Trip," a Season 3 episode of the NBC program Parenthood. Millar's "Honey I'll Try," a song from his album Neighbors, was scheduled to make an appearance, and as the show's Braverman family travelled across the country and experienced shenanigans, the songwriter became convinced that the program would become another disappointment to add to his collection.

"When I watched the episode with my song, I was concerned," he told Music Times. "I thought it was going to be another thing that didn't work out."
But then, sweet providence: Acoustic strumming and Millar's gentle voice flowed from the television as the credits began to roll.

Hearing one's music coupled with a television program, one viewed by an average 6.57 million viewers during its third season at that, sounds like an ideal situation for an indie performer such as Millar, but it wasn't his first time at the rodeo. His lyrics have graced series such as One Tree Hill and Sunshine Cleaners, perhaps culminating with the appearance of his track "Black Dirt" as Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow sip champagne during The Avengers.

He doesn't take it for granted however, despite the frequency at which his work finds guest spots. Millar follows Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes on Parenthood Vol. 2, which dropped earlier this month, and Cee Lo Green and Lyle Lovett make appearances as well. He aspires to being a staple in music, and not just a rising staple for soundtracks.

"Absolutely," he said when asked if he wanted the same renown as his album-mates. "I've been doing this a long time. I'm used to being disappointed...I'm lucky if one of 20 things on my plate works out."
Finding success on soundtracks comes down to two things, by Millar's reckoning. First, write from the heart. Songs that listeners can feel appeal to television producers. Second, work with producers who believe in your music...and who know the right people to pass it along to.
Both worked out for Millar in the Parenthood case.

"The [Parenthood] producers have great taste," he said, perhaps reflecting a little bias. "It gives me a sense of validation to hear my song on the credits of a show like that. It's also something my mom is proud of."

Although "Honey I'll Try" seems to summarize Zeek Braverman patching up a long-patchy relationship with his mother at the end of "Road Trip," Millar wrote the song from a vastly different perspective than the Parenthood patriarch. The songwriter has never settled down nor had any children, and the song in question reflects on the relationship that he claims came closest. "Honey" packs plenty of emotion and a dose of regret he admits, but he doesn't want listeners to cry for him.

"My friends and I live in a great community (near Austin, TX)," he said, perking up. "We give music lessons to kids, and we jokingly refer to them as 'our kids.'"

Millar doesn't have any qualms with calling himself a "soft rocker," nor does he hide that his mushiest songs tend to find the most eager takers. He doesn't have a preference for where they end up either, whether it be touching television (Parenthood) or explosive blockbusters (The Avengers).

Millar's new self-titled EP will be released November 5, and he invites any producer's consideration. - Musictimes.com


"Red wine, sunrise, Wilco, Willie, loneliness, honesty, etc."

Stay Here is one of those special records that come along every so often that occupies that space in your life usually filled only by just the right measures of loneliness, red wine, and candlelight. Then it travels to the sunrise; earned only by a drunken all nighter or a new beginning. Dressed in layers of unusual musical texture that recall Wilco's last few outings and Daniel Lanois' work with Willie and Emmylou but still stripped down enough to call it rock n roll. Emile Millar's voice has the honeydripping tenderness of Gram Parsons and Elliott Smith stirred with the sandy grit of Bob Dylan and Chris Robinson (Black Crowes). You get the feeling this guy lives the life he sings about in his songs; this is honesty for better or for worse. Give it a listen. - Marko 72 (Music Blogger)


"Red wine, sunrise, Wilco, Willie, loneliness, honesty, etc."

Stay Here is one of those special records that come along every so often that occupies that space in your life usually filled only by just the right measures of loneliness, red wine, and candlelight. Then it travels to the sunrise; earned only by a drunken all nighter or a new beginning. Dressed in layers of unusual musical texture that recall Wilco's last few outings and Daniel Lanois' work with Willie and Emmylou but still stripped down enough to call it rock n roll. Emile Millar's voice has the honeydripping tenderness of Gram Parsons and Elliott Smith stirred with the sandy grit of Bob Dylan and Chris Robinson (Black Crowes). You get the feeling this guy lives the life he sings about in his songs; this is honesty for better or for worse. Give it a listen. - Marko 72 (Music Blogger)


"Neighbors Review"

Nominated best independent album of the year. - Melodic.net


"Artist of the Month"

Ok folks. Stop your cars and sit down in the grass outside the car? Here is one of the coolest albums I?ve heard in a VERY long time. Holy freekin? moses? Is this right up my valley or what??!?!? Imagine yourself a mix between Daniel Lanois, Wilco, Peter Gabriel, Duncan Sheik, Lambchop, Five For Fighting and Ryan Adams and you?re in the car park of Emile Millar. Yeah, you can imagine yourself. This mix makes me so damn horny so I listened to the album three times in a row last night. Three times? On a Friday night... My wife wondered where the hell I was doing? Emile mailed me a while back and asked me if I wanted a copy of this CD as he?s a friend of Brad Byrd that I hyped a while back and told me he played on his album. I mailed of course back and said a big freekin? yes, cause if you play with Brad Byrd you sure have talents. When I received the album I also saw that some of LA?s finest players including Michael Lockwood (Aimee Mann, Fiona Apple), Jebin Bruni (Aimee Mann, Michael Penn), Milo Decruz (Ryan Adams, Duncan Sheik) and Joshua Grange (Lucinda Williams, Jay Farrar) appeared on the album. Not bad names for an independent release?? So back to the music... The album opens up with an intro the man call ?Stay Here? and the landscape is a Lanois production all the way. After that you get two really solid tracks, ?I Bet? and ?Black Dirt? which is in the vein of Ryan Adams and Wilco in their soft moments. Fourth out ?America Waves? takes down the tempo even more, with just the man and his guitar. It?s just so beautiful. Fifth out ?Simply Seductive? starts out in the same soft sort of mode, but three minutes into it the song it gets bombastic in an almost progressive Marillion sort of edge for a minute and wake up the listener. Geeh. Sixth out ?No One To Blame? takes us down to the southern parts of the US and the soft slide guitar paints the landscape. There is a strangely Peter Gabriel sort of edge added to the sound. In seventh ?Miles and Miles? the tempo is up a bit once again, and we?re in the area of Ryan Adams once more. Eight out ?Working Stiff? starts out with a lonely piano and gets into a Lambchop-smelling tune added with vibes of Five For Fighting. In ninth out a harmonica takes us on a cool trip through the Alabama highways and finally ?Sunday News? ends this album with a lovely naked, sad trumpet ending the soundscape. I have more or less mentioned comparisons on all the tracks, but the thing with this album that makes it so unique is that Emile have done something unique with all these influences. It?s just perfect. Sniffing on a 4.5 on the gradingscale... Buy it at CDBABY today. - Melodic.net


"Stay Here Review"

If you're hearing a little Glen Phillips, Josh Kelley or even some Nick Drake in this album, you're spot on. This dude blends thoughtful acoustic tunes with a bit of an alt-country twist (meaning if you hate country, you still will enjoy this minus the harmonica twang in "I Put My Time In"). I liked his rumbling guitar and gritty voice that seemed to emulate his meaningful vocals. Let's not mention the splendid rendition of Howard Jones' song, "No One is to Blame." It's all acoustic and brings a wonderful coffeehouse feel to the track. "Sunday News" brings a barbershop background vocal feel with Millar's lazy day vocals.
Favorite Tracks: No One is to Blame, Intro (Stay Here)
Rating: 4 stars - Discoveringartists.com


"Store Review"

The sound of Americana`s new SoCal "soul" is heard in the warm, lethargic tones of Stay Here, the debut disc from Emile Millar, onetime singer of L.A.-based bands Postfontaine and The Lapdancers. Pedal steel breezes flow through some of these atmospheric roots-pop numbers, which sweep from Nick Drake style acoustic folk to slow epic passion-rock and on to brisk alt. country. With an overall downbeat, but hopeful tone, Millar sounds like a rough-hewn version of Colin Blunstone of The Zombies. And with the help of many of L.A.`s finest players, including Michael Lockwood (Aimee Mann, Fiona Apple), Jebin Bruni (Aimee Mann, Michael Penn), Milo Decruz (Ryan Adams, Duncan Sheik), and Joshua Grange (Lucinda Williams, Jay Farrar), Stay Here maintains a cosmic aura that seems to hover across the landscape like an eternal state of dusk. (self-released) - Miles of Music


"Stay Here Review"

If you're hearing a little Glen Phillips, Josh Kelley or even some Nick Drake in this album, you're spot on. This dude blends thoughtful acoustic tunes with a bit of an alt-country twist (meaning if you hate country, you still will enjoy this minus the harmonica twang in "I Put My Time In"). I liked his rumbling guitar and gritty voice that seemed to emulate his meaningful vocals. Let's not mention the splendid rendition of Howard Jones' song, "No One is to Blame." It's all acoustic and brings a wonderful coffeehouse feel to the track. "Sunday News" brings a barbershop background vocal feel with Millar's lazy day vocals.
Favorite Tracks: No One is to Blame, Intro (Stay Here)
Rating: 4 stars - Discoveringartists.com


"Dutch Review"

ver de toekomst van de melancholische songs hoeven we ons geen zorgen te maken, zo lijkt het. Klopten eerder dit jaar al vele debutanten op de poort, nu is er "Stay Here" het debuut van Emile Millar (Postfontaine, The Lapdancers). En wat voor een debuut. Deze singer-songwriter heeft zijn thuisbasis in Los Angelos, maar is geboren en opgetogen in Santa Barbara, CA. Zijn lichthese stem klinkt soms ook triestig in zijn overwegend ingetogen songs waarin een belangrijke rol is weggelegd voor de pedal steel, waardoor zijn debuut album "Stay Here" een plaat geworden is waarvan melancholie zo afdruipt. Tevens laat hij zich begeleiden door bevriende muzikanten zijnde Michael Lockwood (Aimee Mann, Fionna Apple), Jebin Bruni (Aimee Mann, Michael Penn), Milo Decruz (Ryan Adams, Duncan Sheik), en Joshua Grange (Victoria Williams, Eleni Mandell). "Stay Here" telt tien songs, negen eigen en één cover van Howard Jones’ "No One Is to Blame", door Mike Baiardi strak geproduceerde liedjes. Met die o zo markante stem van ‘m smeert hij op hoogst eigenzinnige wijze zijn - vaak aan zijn eigen ervaringen ontsproten – verhaaltjes over doordachte arrangementen uit waarin de geest van Wilco, Nick Drake of Dave Mathews soms rond waart. De muziek is teruggebracht tot haar essentie: de songs zijn smaakvol en zorgvuldig ingevuld met voornamelijk akoestische gitaar, pedal steel, wurlitzer, viool en mandolin. De plaat opent prachtig met een korte intro (Stay Here), een rustig nummer met Jebin Bruni op organ & wurlitzer. Met de roadsong "I Bet" is meteen de start gemaakt aan een reeks melancholische melodieën. Voor de sfeer op dit nummer staan wel Joshua Grange op pedal steel en Cisco Deluna op banjo & mandolin garant. Een andere roadsong is het door Millar solo gebrachte "America Waves", misschien wel het knapste nummer op dit album. Maar zeker vermeldingswaard is het afsluitende "Sunday News", melancholie troef in deze track, inclusief een heerlijk gestopt trompetje van Sarah Kramer en Jebin Bruni op mellotron die er voor zorgen dat dit indrukwekkend debuut een prachtig slotakkoord krijgt. Een opvolger zal uit moeten wijzen of de 'California Soul' van Emile Millar definitief door de rootspoort mag. De potentie lijkt in ieder geval aanwezig. Kortweg : We kunnen dus eigenlijk maar één advies meegeven en dat mag je gerust als bindend beschouwen: “Koop deze plaat!” Je zal het je beslist niet beklagen… - Rootstime.com


"Euro Review"

Op het internet wemelt het van de ‘blogs’ – snel in elkaar gezette sites, waarop de maker bijna dagelijks stukjes plaatst over politiek, film, zijn of haar persoonlijke leven en natuurlijk over muziek. Via een van die blogs, http://songsillinoismp3.blogspot.com, kwam ik op het spoor van deze cd van Emile Millar. Millar is een muzikant die jarenlang in diverse bandjes speelde waarmee hij de podia van het zuiden van Californië onveilig maakte. Stay Here is zijn debuut. En wat voor een debuut.
De cd bevat overwegend ingetogen songs waarin en belangrijke rol is weggelegd voor de pedal steel. Stay Here druipt van de melancholie en dat komt voor een belangrijk deel door de stem van Millar. Millar is zo’n zanger die niet per se op de voorgrond treedt. Hij zingt ingehouden, maar dat geeft wel een heel eigen sfeer aan Stay Here. En Millar is ook een volwassen songschrijver. Luister maar ’ns naar de roadsong ‘I Bet’ of ‘America Waves’, een nummer dat Millar hier solo brengt.
Stay Here kent één cover, Howard Jones’ ‘No One Is to Blame’, maar dat nummer is hier nauwelijks meer herkenbaar. Het uitbundigste nummer van de cd is ‘I Put in My Time’. De melancholie maakt even plaats voor soul, Jebin Bruni gaat lekker tekeer op de Hammond en de soulvolle vocalen van Carol Hatchet vullen die van Millar uitstekend aan. Maar in ‘Sunday News’ is het weer terug naar de melancholie, inclusief een heerlijk gestopt trompetje.
Stay Here is een indrukwekkend debuut van Emile Millar. We hopen in de toekomst nog veel van hem te horen. - Kind Musik


Discography

Emile Millar, EP (2013)
Emile Millar, Neighbors (2011)
Emile Millar, Stay Here (2006)
Postfontaine, Self Titled (2005)
The Lapdancers, The Ghost of Alcohol and Song (2004)

Photos

Bio

Like any good surfer, Emile Millar is ready to make waves. The singer-songwriter’s self-titled EP, due Nov. 5 on Big Bend Records, is his latest foray into musical waters that include a previous LP, Neighbors, and multiple contributions to film and TV soundtracks. Millar’s new five-song collection was written in just a week, the result of a burst of creative inspiration that rejuvenated his songwriting.

Recorded and produced by Brian Standefer (Micky & the Motorcars), who also contributed cello and keyboards, Emile Millar is full of captivating songs and characters brought to life by Millar’s empathetic lyrics. The heartbreaking “Just Like It Seems” was inspired by an encounter with a homeless woman; “Having It All,” a ballad anchored by piano and cello, tells the story of a woman whose Cartier earrings and matching BMW can’t keep sadness at bay.

Emile Millar also draws listeners into a dark and dreamy soundscape with “The Wait.” The track, “One Is Enough,” is a hopeful folk-rocker that urges, You’ve gotta try sometime ... keep the faith, keep the dream alive.

Though Millar now calls Austin home, he’s still a California boy at heart. The Santa Barbara native remains an avid surfer, and his music incorporates Laurel Canyon influences including Buffalo Springfield, the Byrds and Jackson Browne. His parents grew flowers on Hollister Ranch, and a parade of hippies, cowboys and musicians came through their house on a daily basis, bringing with them LPs that would serve as the foundation of Emile’s own music. He learned to play an old nylon-string guitar and later performed in several touring acts before striking out on his own in 2003, spending a decade honing his sound as a solo artist. Millar describes his music as “alternative soft-rock,” a genre-blending sound that combines eclectic influences ranging from Nick Drake and Electric Light Orchestra to Wilco and Gerry Rafferty.

Millar is a prolific composer for film and television; his music has been featured in The Avengers, Waitress, Sunshine Cleaning and One Tree Hill, among others. His song “Honey, I’ll Try” is included on Parenthood (Original Television Soundtrack) Volume 2, the second soundtrack edition from the acclaimed NBC series, releasing Oct. 8. Millar’s song appears alongside those by Lyle Lovett, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Brett Dennen, Glen Hansard and Greg Laswell, plus many other esteemed artists.

Also a sought-after producer, if Millar’s not onstage or on the road, he’s working in the studio. Unless, of course, the waves look good.