by Alexandra Mrozowska
– Sr. Columnist —
Nine Miles South’s self-titled debut EP has caused quite a stir among the listeners, the band’s sound having this unique Americana vibe to their music in spite of them being UK-based. Hardrock Haven caught up with the band’s singer Seb Mikkelsen to find out more about the release as well as the band’s approach to songwriting, video making and more.
Hardrock Haven: Because of the Blues and Country vibe to your music, some listeners may be surprised you’re actually British. The British and American culture were often presented as binary oppositions, so where does your roots Americana inspiration come from?
Seb Mikkelsen: I come from Denmark, not that that helps, but I think the inspiration to play this kind of music isn’t an inherent one. We’ve all grown up listening to different genres of music but as a songwriter I’ve always been fascinated by the American songbook! My dear mother was a huge country fan, so reluctantly I was brought up rifling through her collection, from Dolly Parton, Alison Krauss and Union Station to John Hiatt. My father was very much in to The Eagles, Neil Young and those kind of beasts. If anything; as a songwriter, who primarily writes with an acoustic guitar , I met with some rockers who turned up the overdrive and we’ve now got Nine Miles South.
Hardrock Haven: Which bands would you say were particularly influential if it comes to Nine Miles South?
Seb Mikkelsen: We are from the MTV generation and have been bombarded with different music our entire lives. But none of us actually ever bought in to that scene of popular music. I personally grew up, in my teenage years, veering towards Hard Rock like Sabbath or Ozzy, even to bands like Lamb of God, Devil Driver and such. The country and blues has of course never left me and will always stay with me. All of us have that likened tendency to love rock. Jon our lead guitarist loves his Classic Rock, i.e. bands like Whitesnake, Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac. David our drummer is a big Metal fan and loves his Drum and Bass. Our bassist Andy is much more of a punk and grunge monster. I think it was John Mayer who said it but I’m going to have to paraphrase. – We sound the way we do only through failing to sound like our heroes.
Hardrock Haven: How did the band’s history start and how long did it take to develop the band’s unique sound?
Seb Mikkelsen: The band started, I would say, when our guitarist Jon joined about a year and a half ago. That’s the line-up we have now and the one that’s working and playing. Before then we were just jamming and trying to get through University whilst gigging the circuit of course. Thank you for thinking it’s unique. We’re still developing and learning. The more time we spend with each other, in and out of the band, the more we will be improving our sound. Also people are much more open to each other now and feel free to have a say. The writing is starting to take shape and the songs we are writing now are really what I think NMS is and will become.
Hardrock Haven: What do you think was a real breakthrough in Nine Miles South’s history so far?
Seb Mikkelsen: Our guitarist Jon always dreamt of being in Classic Rock Magazine and being played on Planet Rock. I think those two points are what help make us feel, like what we are doing is worthwhile and possible. Of course there have been many great moments but seeing our single on the cover mount CD with our name on it was just awesome. That followed by Team Rock track of the week and just the general backing by these giants.
Hardrock Haven: Such breakthrough was surely the release of your first EP last year. Are you satisfied with the results of the recordings? Is there anything you’d like to improve on?
Seb Mikkelsen: Sure, it was a moment in time for us to release the EP. It was a breakthrough for us to have the EP launched in London.
We wouldn’t release something we weren’t, at the time, happy with. But of course in hindsight we know what direction we’d like to move in and respectively what steps we’d like to take. As far as what to improve on we’d like to expand on our “sound.” This time around of course we have played much more together, live and in the studio. So as far as writing and arranging goes it’s much more of a natural and smooth process. You’ll hear all the new material soon enough.
Hardrock Haven: Which of the three songs included on the EP do you think represents the band in the most accurate way?
Seb Mikkelsen: We are proud of all the three songs from the EP but my personal pick would be “The Reckoning.” It’s a band benchmark for what we would like to create, sound-wise. It’s songs like that, where we can get every band member’s personality out on show.
Hardrock Haven: Talking about the EP, what was the feedback of the audience, and of the reviewers as well?
Seb Mikkelsen: So far so good. We’ve had very good feedback. We are very happy with how people are receiving it. I think people like the idea that it’s perhaps not just Hard Rock but with an underdog-esque blend of genres. People have had a hard time placing the dial on genres or bordering sounds.
Hardrock Haven: Just recently a new video of yours – “Fingernails” – saw the light of day. What’s your interpretation of it? What kind of message did you want to convey?
Seb Mikkelsen: There isn’t a message as such, just a video of our interpretation of the song. It’s a dream state trying to show that everyone has a bad side and bad thoughts but when stepping back and looking at it objectively, violence can look quite humorous. I don’t think it’s a video that shows us as a group, just trying to entertain. We are not violent people at all but just had an idea to mimic the lyrics.
Hardrock Haven: What’s the inspiration behind the band’s lyrics and do you try to correspond with the genres of Americana (Blues, Southern Rock, Country etc.) as far as lyrical themes are concerned?
Seb Mikkelsen: I think as a lyricist I have to remain honest in the sense there isn’t a purpose to my writing. It comes at a time and a place. I think subconsciously, I probably lean towards certain types of lyric writing but overall have no idea what I’m doing, really. I’ve always enjoyed Bluegrass and Folk music. I like the idea of people being able to tell stories or paint a picture. But I think as far as content it’s pretty much just interpretations added with a bit of make-believe. If your honest when writing I think it makes for a much better song.
Hardrock Haven: Having already tried both, do you prefer playing live to recording in studio or otherwise? Is Nine Miles South a bit more studio-oriented band, or an ultimate live band?
Seb Mikkelsen: I think we are humbled by the fact that we get to play in both those scenarios. The studio is where we rehearse and get our stuff ready and recorded to go out and ultimately play in front of people. Live is the fuel and the reason we do what we do. We want to play in front of a live audience as often as possible. We are quite proud that we help represent a community of bands that can do what we do in the studio, live as well.
Hardrock Haven: What were the best and most important concerts you played so far?
Seb Mikkelsen: Hard Rock Hell was a fantastic day for us. We’ve played many fantastic shows with some great bands. Our EP launch at The Barfly was a good one. It proved to us that we could sell out a London Venue. Kobra and the Lotus was a great one for learning a great work ethic and respect for the game. Toseland of course was also a very important show for us. We hope we can go on the road with them again soon.
Hardrock Haven: In November, you performed at Hard Rock Hell festival alongside some really big names. What’s your recollection of the event and the atmosphere?
Seb Mikkelsen: HRH was a great day and a fantastic stepping-stone for the band. We got to meet some genuine rock stars and made some great connections, to colleagues and fans alike. It was so amazing seeing that real love for rock and a community that stands together to maintain it. It’s true love for the music bands play.
Hardrock Haven: Your performance took place on November the 13th – the same day the terrorists attacked in Paris. Some bands who were to play in France in the following weeks canceled their concerts while the others’ schedule remained intact. If you had been booked to play a show in Paris then, what would you have done?
Seb Mikkelsen: It actually happened at the same time we were on stage. We were told as we came off. It was a hard pill to swallow that so many people experienced such peril as we, unknowingly, experienced joy and excitement. Our thoughts on that weekend of course went to those people and the families of them. I think in certain circumstances it was the right thing out of fear, with the large crowds, to cancel shows. But saying that, we can’t live our lives in fear. We have to show that we are not afraid to continue. I would like to say that NMS would have continued to play the show but I reckon it would have been out of our hands.
Hardrock Haven: What are your current plans? Any concerts in the pipeline?
Seb Mikkelsen: We have some shows lined up for next year, playing with Sons of Icarus in February. We are of course booking for tours and such over the course of 2016. But first things first we are going in the studio preparing for our next release.
Visit the band online: https://www.facebook.com/ninemilessouth/
