Myles Cochran is an American composer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. Born and raised in Kentucky, he was formerly based in New York City he now calls the UK his home. His new single, the instrumental track Early Dark, is due for digital release via his own imprint 9Ball Records on 21st February 2020, and precedes the album UNSUNG, due later in 2020 which features both instrumental and vocal tracks. He has recently found acclaim for his work with Irish singer and harpist Brona McVittie who has featured widely on Folk Radio.
Early Dark was composed, produced and performed by Myles with the help of guest cellist and fellow Brona McVittie collaborator Richard Curran. When asked about the genesis of the track, Myles explains, “Early Dark recalls the time of year when the nights get long, and sundown comes early. There’s a bittersweet feeling to it; the year is ending, but rebirth is coming….”.
Recorded in idyllic rural locations in the UK and France, Early Dark is imbued with a rich twilight atmosphere. Bell-like acoustic guitar lines, sinuous slide guitar, resonant cello lines and hypnotic percussion are presented in both natural and manipulated states, producing an ethereal, dream-like arrangement. Early Dark is also our Tune of the Day.
Myles is an instrumentalist of deft virtuosity and for Early Dark he mixes his acoustic guitar playing – recalling icons such as Davey Graham and Bert Jansch – with the expansive atmospherics found in the work of artists such as legendary guitarist Daniel Lanois in his collaboration with Brian Eno for Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks. Other musical touchstones include the cinematic scores of Ry Cooder, the pulsing minimalism of Steve Reich and the subtle chamber arrangements of Lamb.
With further single releases planned in the run-up to the launch of his album UNSUNG, Myles will begin to make his name as one of the premier instrumentalists and music makers in the UK.