ALBUM ARRIVAL: Midnight Hour by Miles elliot
ON OCTOBER 14TH, MILES ELLIOT RELEASED HIS DEBUT ABLUM MIDNIGHT HOUR AND WE GOT THE CHANCE TO ASK HIM A FEW QUESTIONS.
Photo by Jeff Devereux
The Album itself is jazzy, housey, and very well arranged from start to finish.
I listened through the full work on the ride home from work and was happily grooving along to each song. All of which had an individual voice but as a chorus of a work, work excellently well. Bringing visions of summer nights leaving into cool and crisp evenings.
In my opinion, an album that you can sit and relax to while smoking a cigar and sipping on some whisky, but then the needle drops on the next track and suddenly you're dancing in your dining room. Soon to hit downtown and off you go on a Midnight Hour adventure.
You can see how Miles Elliot put a lot of love and understanding into the music of Midnight Hour and I can’t wait for the next one to round-about the clock.
JORDAN:
“How has the transition been from DJ to band leader and how do you think your time behind the decks helped you on this path?”
MILES:
'“I think transitioning from being a DJ to a producer is a natural progression. Some of the best music producers in the world started as DJ's. Everyone from Mark Ronson to Timbaland to Diplo. I can definitely say that my DJ background gave me a head start on this path of making music and being a band leader. Especially when it comes to the arrangement of a song. With DJing you have to know how to play the right song at the right time to keep people's attention. I use that same approach when creating a setlist with my band.”
JORDAN:
"You said that this album was ‘A soundtrack to the night, my favorite time of day.’ what is an ideal night for you like now that you have your soundtrack?”
MILES:
'“This is a great question! I guess it would depend on my mood. I'm big into Astrology and your Sun sign reflects your outward personality, while your Moon sign controls your emotions and mood. I've always felt that we are our truest selves at night. Some nights I like to stay up and create because I feel the most free. Some nights I like to stay in the house and just listen to music and vibe out. I still DJ on weekends so there's something I love about playing out on a Saturday night and everyone is out for a good time. A spontaneous night out is my absolute favorite if I had to choose. Some of the best memories I have started with an unplanned night where all these random things happen that feel meant to be. That's my kind of night.”
JORDAN:
'“Besides the night, what was the biggest inspiration for making the album and what other musicians can you tip a hat too for the albums creation.”
MILES:
"“I really wanted to make an album that tells a story and takes the listener on a ride. I'm a huge fan of Kendrick Lamar and I love that all his albums are like watching a movie. The concept of an album is lost in this current era of streaming, playlists and social media. I'm not against any of those things but it has changed how the masses consumes music. Sonically the album was inspired by my love of Jazz, House and Neo Soul. Quincy Jones is my favorite producer of all time so I'm always going to be influenced by him in my productions. I was definitely channeling his sound on MJ's Off The Wall and George Benson's Give Me The Night. I was also heavily inspired by the early 2000's Neo Soul movement with artists like Dwele, Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott, Floetry and Bilal. The Housey tracks were inspired by KAYTRANADA who is currently my favorite producer. I must tip my hat to all the musicians who played on this album. Most of this album was made during the pandemic lockdown.
I worked remotely with musicians all over the world with the help of Fiverr. It was amazing experience and they all inspired me so much with their creativity.”
Midnight Hour Truly seems to be a homage to Mile’s love for the art of music and after our conversation I cannot suggest enough to give your night the soundtrack it deserves with Miles Elliots: Midnight Hour