Musicians in Lockdown: Miles and the Chain Gang Interview

With only two singles out, English new wave and rock ‘n’ roll band Miles and the Chain Gang have already proven they know how to take a bad situation and turn it into a soulful tune. Rhythmic guitars, spunky horns and spirited harmonies are interwoven to form a jaunty yet laid-back feel. That chipper longing is one that many can currently relate to while simultaneously feeling a sense of comfort and hope.

Miles and the Chain Gang sat down with The Outer Void to discuss their new single and influences:

What have you been up to during the pandemic?

Writing songs, finishing a book of poems, the occasional band practice, looking after my kids, daydreaming, wishing the future was closer and brighter, trying to stay positive. The usual stuff.

Has the lockdown impacted your songwriting this year in any way, as your latest single was clearly inspired by it?

Yes, I wrote this song called ‘Drag Me To The Light’ which is our second single and [is out now] on iTunes and Spotify and Youtube. It was written during the first lockdown in the spring. I was trying to capture the mood of what it was like. I was on my own for a while, and had that sense that we all had, I think, of wanting to connect to other people. Human beings are social creatures. I like my space but I also want to connect with people. The song is really about connection, and how the absence of that isn’t good for us. There’s a reason why most of us live in some sort of community. 

What’s your favorite show you’ve ever played?

We like playing at The Crescent in York. It’s a cracking venue, big enough to feel like a real gig but still quite intimate. It’s not corporate, and there’s a strong community ethos which I like. We’ll play there again soon. 

If you could tour with any band/artist, who would it be?

Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison, Del Amitri, Billy Bragg, The Waterboys, Counting Crows, Thin Lizzy, The Rolling Stones… 

What 2020 album would you recommend to someone who believes there’s no good new music?

I just heard a 2020 album by Tommy Coyle called ‘Incomplete Control’. Apparently it took him ten years to finish it, which is quite a while. It’s really good – lovely songs, well arranged, well produced, well sung. It’s got some ace songs on it.  I recommend that. The other album I loved in the last couple of years was ‘HyperSonic Missiles’ by Sam Fender. I thought that had some brilliant tracks on it. 

What are your plans for 2021?

It would be great to get out and play some gigs. We have really missed, as a band, playing in 2020. It’s been a strange, sad year. I hope the live scene returns soon. Lots of people really miss it. 

Listen to the single “Drag Me To The Light” below, and stream Miles and the Chain Gang on Spotify and Apple Music!