Raised on a cattle farm in Virginia, and well versed in topics ranging from Greek mythology to modernist poetry, Miller’s smart songwriting has long been admired by his peers. A founding member of Knoxville based band, the V-Roys, Miller’s raucous style influenced the newer generation of Alt-Country revelry and what’s now known as Americana.
The album title Ladies Auxiliary recognizes that Miler’s backing band on this album is comprised solely of women, including Bryn Davies (bass), Rayna Gellert (fiddle/banjo), Jen Gunderman (keys) Deanie Richardson (fiddle), Megan Carchman (drums) and guitarist Anne McCue who also served as a producer on the album. Miller enlisted McCue as producer after being blown away by her playing in an early tracking session. What transpired reflects the fact that as he has grown away from performing with a full rock band, Miller enjoys collaborating with smart, thoughtful and like-minded musicians who in this case just happened to be women.
The themes running through much of Ladies Auxiliary illustrate Miller’s observations and appreciation for the common man (and woman), the music and characters of his native Appalachia, and his talent for clever storytelling. In an album and live show highlight, “Lo Siento”, Miller takes on the travails of Spanishburg, West Virginia, a dying town recently rejuvenated by the arrival of wealthy retirees streaming down from Northern Virginia. Another character-driven narrative is the haunting “Someday / Sometime”, which deals with the suicide of a young mother leaving behind two 8-year old twin girls. In true Scott Miller fashion, the album also humors us with “Mother In Law” (one of the only two covers on the album) and the original “Jacki With An Eye” about an Augusta County fairground romp.
In 2011 Miller returned to his family land to take care of his aging parents, and to keep the farm alive. When he’s not farming, Miller will be touring this fall with members of the Ladies Auxiliary in support of the new album.
