We recently had the chance to connect with Miles Crowl and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Miles, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I had to learn how to tie a tie while shooting the cover for my new mixtape the other day, hardest thing I ever did. But I did it. I’m definitely proud of that.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Miles Crowl, a music artist/rapper and creator of Mile High Arts based in Erie,Pa. I have an Alternative style to my music with influences from Hip-Hop, Reggae, Punk, and Indie music to create a unique sound and provide a broad performance that anyone could attend and enjoy. I bring a unique clash of sounds together that you don’t see much in the Erie music scene.
I began releasing music just under 5 years ago and I’ve been lucky enough to already of had opportunities, such as opening for national acts like Denm, Fortunate Youth, Rehab, Kashed Out, and many more. I also have my hand in plenty of other ventures to keep me busy like sound engineering and producing and such.
I’ve been producing a mixtape with my homie Jayden McGuire helping make some beats, that is coming out Oct 18th this year and I’m very excited for people to hear it. I am also throwing a release show the same day at Philly On The Rocks in Erie, Pa. If you’re in the area come check out it out and support local artists!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I feel like there has been this part of me that I don’t really identify with anymore. It’s this mind state that I was trying to shake, just constant anxiety and feeling of being insufficient and underwhelming. I felt emotional and like my work wasn’t as good as I wished it would be so I would just put it aside and keep stacking project on project thinking I’d never release any of them.
With the release of this mixtape it feels as if I’m shedding old skin. Allowing myself to put this out there even with its flaws, because by no means is this the best thing I’ve ever done, but it feels probably the most genuine. The passion on this tape is raw. This release of this is gonna allow me to move on and keep improving my sound now that I’m not worried about these never getting heard because I really like these songs.
With new music comes new experience and perceptions and I’m ready to start living in the moment again.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Ya, I made the hard decision to disband my last band and at the time it felt like the end of music and art for me. I kind of just faded a way and ended up hiding from the world. I was overwhelmed, spread too thin, and just overall tired. So I disappeared for a year and a half and let me tell you what, I got bored.
So I started picking up my art and music again and the momentum started right back up. Now I’m back in full swing and in a comfortable place for creation. At a point where I had thought I’d given up, all I really needed was a break. It’s ok to take breaks when you need it, don’t stress yourself into an unhealthy life. If it’s really your passion, you’ll get back to it when your ready.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to this music thing till the day I die. It’s just a part of me. I just love music. I love recording and putting the songs out there but my love is on that stage. I love performing, it’s like a drug to me. The more the crowds into it the harder I go. No matter what you’ll always see me doing something music related. As long as that’s my life I’m all good.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
My situation it’s a little bit of both. I was born into a family of music and musicians, both my grandfathers, Stephen Crowl and Thomas Beam, were popular musicians and performers in the Erie music scene. My uncle Stephen Crowl Jr. was the longtime bass player of the popular heavy metal band Stemm, known for having hit songs like “Monster”, “Till I Die” and recorded the theme song for the UFC “Face The Pain”.
Both my parents, even though they aren’t musicians, were die-hard scene kids through out the 90’s and are the main influence for my taste in music, but also my educators on the history of music, bands and art. Growing up there wasn’t just one kind of music. My parents were fans of bands such as Pantera, Korn, But also artists and bands like Bob Marley, Sublime, Rusted Root, Beastie Boys. It was never one genre. All my life I’ve been nothing but surrounded by music and art from all angles.
When growing up and figuring out what I wanted to do with my life, music and art were always the first option. I’ve had plenty of internal conflict in the early days if this was actually what “I” wanted to pursue. But no matter what path I treaded onto it always has lead me back to music. Sometimes I feel like I got no choice but I love it, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Tony See
Cassidy Loftus
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