Legendary singer-songwriter John R. Miller delves deep into his inner self on his new single ‘Ditcher’, a slow-rolling gem from his highly anticipated ‘Heat Comes Down’ album, due for release on October 6, 2023 via Rounder Records.
‘Dicher’ serves as an audition for the part of us that prefers to stay at home and avoid the complexities of life. Alongside the album version, Miller and his band recorded a faintly dreamy version at the Sound Emporium in Nashville, TN. The song was inspired by Miller’s insomnia while recording ‘The Heat Comes Down’.
Miller recalls, “’Dicher’ wrote itself after I had been awake for about 36 hours. I was in the middle of a fever, recording and working on songs for several days in the basement of their house in Madison, TN, and I started playing a tune that hit my head. The words came out in ten minutes, and I immediately had a fully developed demo, which probably only happened to me a few times. I don’t know where it came from, but I love that it’s one of my favorites on the record and the source of the album’s title.
Known for his insightful songwriting, Miller’s latest album ‘The Heat Comes Down’ delves into his sleepless nights, longing daydreams, existential reflections and insightful observations of the world’s challenges. Although he expresses frustration on some tracks, Miller offers a beautiful affirmation that arises from a collective catharsis.
Produced by Andrija Tokic and John James Tourville (known for their work with artists such as Sunny War and The Deslondes), ‘Heat Comes Down’ features Miller, drummer John Clay Burchett, guitarist J.J. It features collaborations with long-time live band members, including Tom Hanatou and love player Chloe Edmondstone. Bassist Craig Berletic and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Taylor (whose credits include Willie Nelson and Elvis Costello) also contributed to his 2021 Rounder Records debut, ‘Reduced’.
As his musical journey continues, Miller is set to embark on an extensive US headline tour throughout the fall, appearing at summer festivals such as Nelsonville and Catbird. In September, he will participate in the Healing Appalachia benefit show in Lewisburg, WI, raising money for Hills Hope and supporting recovery efforts in central Appalachia.
