When asked if differing artistic visions ever lead to challenges within the band, Peter Miller of We Are the Willows responded, “Yes, all the time! We’ve been working together for the better part of 15 years. At this point, I cherish having differing artistic visions. I love making space for it. Embracing it. Giving someone else the reins for a minute.” This quote perfectly summarizes the collaborative spirit that drives the band, highlighting their ability to turn potential creative conflicts into opportunities for growth and innovation. The band consists of Peter Miller on vocals and guitar, Jeremiah Satterthwaite on guitar, Travis Collins on bass and backup vocals, Hilary James on cello and backup vocals, and Josh McCay on drums.
We Are the Willows brings a distinctive blend of orchestral pop, experimental indie, and nineties hymns, crafting a unique and exciting mix of genres. Yet, despite this diversity, they manage to maintain a consistent, signature style with a touch of melancholic vibe that permeates their sound. Their latest album, IV, feels deeply personal, a product of what Miller describes as a journey of “weird luck, hard work, personal growth, and creative problem solving.” The album brings together various influences seamlessly, while still feeling distinctly their own.
In our interview, Peter Miller shares insights on navigating creative differences within the band, the impact of love and partnership on his music, and the exploration of belonging as a central theme in their latest release, IV.
header photo by Peter M.
Congratulations on your new album! Are you celebrating the release in any special way? If so, how? (smiles)
Thanks so much! I don’t have any special plans yet but my wife and I usually go out to eat or do something to celebrate. We’ll probably have a band bon fire too.
The theme of belonging is central to “IV.” I love this theme because it leaves room for personal interpretation. There are moments when I feel like I don’t belong anywhere, more like an observer than a part of something. Do you think the internet, and especially social media, play a significant role in causing this sense of disconnection?
I moved around a lot growing up. My family was really religious. Being on the outside looking in was a common emotional phenomenon for me too. It’s tough!
I feel it a lot while on the internet. I’m not sure if that feeling is inherent to the internet or if it’s because of how the internet is commodified. The attention economy is brutal and seems to care little for human happiness.
“IV” is your fourth album and also stands for “Inside Voice.” How do these two meanings connect to the themes or ideas in the album?
Serendipity, pragmatism, & improvisation are a big part of this record. “Inside voice” is the name of a band that I started with we are the willows member and co-writer, Hilary James. We worked on this album and toured a bunch as a duo then realized we couldn’t keep it going. So our inside voice record became a we are the willows record. A lot of weird luck, hard work, personal growth and creative problem solving went into making this all possible.
“I cherish having differing artistic visions. I love making space for it. Embracing it. Giving someone else the reins for a minute.”
“To Be Where You Are” is a deeply personal track about the relationship with Miller’s wife. How does love and partnership in general influence your music, both lyrically and emotionally?
It influences my music in a myriad of ways. One way that is particularly clear to me right now is that my wife really loves what I make. She encourages me. She believes in me. It is a gift to make a song for her. Making something and knowing that the person I care about most is going to love it is a really special feeling.
Which track on the album is your personal favorite, and why?
“Forgivenss/ Forgetness”. I get to dance a lot when we perform it.
I love that your music blends influences from a wide range of genres, from orchestral art pop to nineties hymns. Is there a music genre that doesn’t appeal to you as much?
I gotta think about that! There have been genres that I haven’t appreciated in the past but have been fortunate enough to find artists that change my mind. Metal and hardcore are wild. Sometimes too much. But the band Shai Hulud taught me that the genre is informed by jazz. I struggled to connect to Hip hop and rap but RAP Ferreira & MF DOOM taught me about the deep & complex nature of the genre.
Bluegrass and some folk music isn’t my favorite. But I love that there are standard songs. There’s easy access points to playing that music. It’s for everyone. It can be revolutionary.
“The attention economy is brutal and seems to care little for human happiness.”
You’ve mentioned that collaboration is key to your music, but with so many creative minds involved, do you ever find yourselves facing challenges or disagreements due to differing artistic visions?
Yes, all the time! We’ve been working together for the better part of 15 years. At this point, I cherish having differing artistic visions. I love making space for it. Embracing it. Giving someone else the reigns for a minute.
You’re playing at a mix of intimate venues and larger spaces, from The Green Room to Surly Brewing. How does the atmosphere of each venue influence your performance, and do you adapt your setlist or style depending on the location?
We try to be adaptive. Sometimes the logistics of day of show operations don’t allow a lot of wiggle room. I like to modify my own expectations and goals for performing around the type of space we’re in. If we’re playing a brewery where most folks are chatting and having a nice time, I give myself permission to focus on my own enjoyment of the set. If we’re headlining a club show, I feel a big responsibility to serve the folks who have paid to come. I’m experimenting a lot with simple lighting & projections.
The most important thing in life is?
To love and be loved.
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