Guitarist and singer Miles Harris is a virtuoso who works at the intersection of blues, rock, funk and soul. There may be a few others in the area who could be part of the discussion for the hard-to-define title of “best guitarist in Bellingham,” but he combines that technical skill with an unmatched level of showmanship.
After some time in Seattle and out on tour, Harris recently moved back to town and is focused on working with his crew of local collaborators. His plan is to work on an album and to try to play “every Northwest festival” next summer. So you’re going to be seeing a lot of him.
Harris first came to the attention of many folks in the local music community for his work with Baby Cakes. That band plays a wide range of pop, R&B and funk classics, and his presence on guitar and vocals has been a big part of what has made them so popular on local dance floors and festival stages.
While still working with Baby Cakes, he now has two other projects that put the spotlight on his own songwriting. He performs with his sister, Ebony, a fantastic singer, in the duo The Harris Twins, frequently joined by Jeremiah Austin on trumpet.
Recently, his focus has been on a group called Miles Harris and the Deep Cuts, featuring Julian MacDonough on drums and Aaron Guest on bass, along with Ebony and Austin. That group goes deep into epic blues-infused rock jams.
They’ve been playing every Wednesday at the Wild Buffalo after Downtown Sounds. That makes Wednesday, Aug. 9, the last show of that run, so get down there and check it out for yourself. Neither of those groups has any official recordings out yet, but I’ll keep you posted here whenever they do, which shouldn’t be too long.
From there, the list of Harris’ talents somehow goes on. He plays jazz well enough to sit in with the all-star crew at Aslan on Tuesdays. He was a semifinalist for the Bellingham Idol singing competition. A lot of musicians just use social media for crass self-promotion, but his Instagram (@miles_of_miles) is actually a great look into his creative process, featuring him doing everything from crooning jazz standards to teaching tasty country licks.
The common thread that brings all these many styles and talents together is the feeling of joy he tries to bring to audiences. Or, as he calls it, making “the most jubilant noise we can.” If you need some more of that in your life, make your way to a Miles Harris gig.
There is lots going on the weekend of Aug. 11–12, most notably the Subdued Stringband Jamboree and the Skagit County Fair. The Northwest Washington Fair also gets started with classic rock from .38 Special on Aug. 12. Check out everything happening at those events online.
Just a few notable local releases to tell you about this week. Folk/rock duo Kissing Thieves released their third single, “Play Me Louder.” This one finds them in anthemic mode, piling big echoing guitars over a steady drum thump, while the powerful vocals describe the quest for a bigger life.
Tad Kroening has a beautiful new album of his gentle singer-songwriter material, “Baby Birch.” His delicately fingerpicked guitar and melancholy vocals are lightly augmented by strings and harmony vocals.
Finally, producer fantompower is one of those artists who is huge on the internet but maybe not as well known locally. He just released his latest album of lo-fi hip-hop instrumentals, “Pure Flaws.” Perfect for walking around town with headphones on, making everything feel just a little more cinematic.
JESSE’S PICKS
Blue Mondays
6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 7, Boundary Bay Brewery
There’s a new series taking over Boundary Bay Brewery on Monday evenings. Two acoustic blues acts, Delta Promenade and The Dusty Mugs, will alternate Mondays in August, showcasing early blues sounds. The series kicks off with The Dusty Mugs on Monday, Aug. 7.
Beats on the Bay
6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, Community Boating Center
The Community Boating Center is bringing back its unique Beats on the Bay event. On Tuesday, Aug. 8, the band Cardova will perform aboard the Schooner Zodiac floating in Bellingham Bay. Music lovers and boating enthusiasts alike are invited to either buy tickets for the cruise or to bring their own boats out to listen to their funk/R&B jams.
Apollo Suns
8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 10, The Blue Room
The stellar Winnipeg-based nine-piece Apollo Suns are back with their instrumental jazz/rock/psychedelic melange at The Blue Room Thursday, Aug. 10. Analog Brass opens up the show, so expect lots of horns throughout the evening.
Treepeople
8 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 13, Wild Buffalo
Boise, Idaho, alternative rock legends Treepeople are performing at the Wild Buffalo on Sunday, Aug. 13. This group was a major force in the development of the region’s indie rock scene and has recently started doing occasional reunions. (Lead guitarist Doug Martsch went on to form Built to Spill but is back in the band for these shows.)
LIVE MUSIC LISTINGS
Friday, Aug. 4
- Anacortes Arts Festival: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., ft. Geoffrey Castle, Desolation Sound, Karl Blau Band, John Van Deusen Band and many more
- Aslan: 8 p.m., BJ Block Trio (jazz/funk)
- Beach at Birch Bay: 6 p.m., Lost At Last
- Bellewood Farms: 6 p.m., Michael Dayvid
- Birdsview: 6 p.m., Birds of Play
- Bistro at Shuksan: 5 p.m., Julian MacDonough Jazz Quartet
- Blue Room: 9 p.m., The Groovy Nobody, Bennycamps & The Bastards, Dead Energy (psych rock)
- Boundary: 6 p.m., Days Between (psychedelic rock)
- Burlington Summer Nights: 6 p.m., Desolation Sound
- Eagle Haven: 7 p.m., Pacific Twang (country)
- Fireside: 7 p.m., Ron Hardt
- Greene’s Corner: 6 p.m., North Country Highway
- Honey Moon: 8 p.m., The Problem (jazz)
- Pioneer Park (Ferndale): 6 p.m., The Fabulous Murphtones (classic rock and pop)
- Shakedown: 8:30 p.m., Afterlife Giftshop, Schmutz, Old Town Scouts
- Skagit Cellars: 6 p.m., India Glover (singer-songwriter)
- Skylark’s: 5 p.m., Whitewing (blues/funk/soul)
- Stones Throw: 6 p.m., High Mountain String Band (bluegrass)
- Structures Old Town: 6:30 p.m., Jessie Thoreson & The Crown Fire
- That’s What I Like: 7 p.m., Guitars & Gratitude
- Thirsty Badger: 8 p.m., County Rose (country)
- Vault: 7 p.m., Sam Halbert and Friends
- Wild Buffalo: 9 p.m., Souls of Mischief, guests (hip-hop)
- WinkWink: 7 p.m., Eso, Fog Bodies (rock)
Saturday, Aug. 5
- Anacortes Arts Festival: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., ft. Mama Dirty Skirt, Cambalache, Fanny Alger, many more
- Beach at Birch Bay: in the field, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tribute to the Mount Baker Rhythm and Blues Festival ft. Hamilton Loomis, Chris Eger Band, Bobby Patterson Band, Midlife Crisis and the Alimony Horns, Cory Vincent and the Electric Band; in the bar, 3 p.m. All-Star Jam
- Beach Store Cafe: 5 p.m., Yogoman Burning Band (reggae/R&B)
- Bellewood Farms: 6 p.m., Michael Dayvid (acoustic covers)
- Birdsview: noon to 8 p.m., Birdstock ft. The Dimes, Turn Key Runner, Pretty Much Nothing, Bare Feet, The Toadmortons, Pure Halcyon, Last Resort
- Blue Room: 9 p.m., Magenta Wave, Justin Harden, Mia Day
- Conway Muse: 8 p.m., Joel Astley Band (blues)
- Corner Pub (Bow): 6 p.m., Delta Promenade (acoustic blues)
- Ferndale Library: 7 p.m., Jerry Steinhilber Trio (jazz)
- Fireside 4 p.m., Singers’ Saturday
- Fringe Brewing (Ferndale): Block Party ft. The Stillvettas, The Shannanagins, Arcade Cowboys, JP Falcon Grady and more
- Greene’s Corner: 6 p.m., Blue Collar Bluegrass Band
- Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Lonesome Town Painters (bluegrass)
- Kulshan Trackside: 7 p.m., Cape Flattery; 8:30 p.m., Jessie Thoreson & The Crown Fire (folk/rock)
- Moore Street (between Carolina and Texas streets in Bellingham): 4 p.m., block party ft. LipStitch, The Hobby, Slowfall, The Collectors
- Old Edison: 1 p.m., Donnie Hafercamp
- Paws for A Beer: 5 p.m., Nobody’s Peach (country/rock)
- Rockfish: 7:30 p.m., Randy Weeks & The Silent Treatment
- Shakedown: 8:30 p.m., Vance Latta, Screen Frogs, Basement Tuesdays
- Skylark’s: 5 p.m., Ryan Sandholm (acoustic covers)
- Station 49: 5 p.m., Jack Benson Band (classic rock)
- Stones Throw: 6 p.m., JP Falcon Grady
Sunday, Aug. 6
- Anacortes Arts Festival: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., ft. Ebb, Slack & Flood, Savage Blues Band, Pearl Django and many more
- Beach at Birch Bay: 3 p.m., Chill DeVille (classic rock)
- Bellingham Cider Company: 6:30 p.m., Ken Bronstein Quartet
- Deming Library: 4 p.m., BandZandt
- Gilkey Square (La Conner): 1 p.m., Lost At Last (country)
- Greene’s Corner: 5:30 p.m., Simon Evans (singer-songwriter)
- Kulshan: 5 p.m., Cardova
- Kulshan Trackside: 3 p.m., Gallowglass (Celtic)
- Main Street: 6 p.m., Open Mic
- Old Edison: 5:30 p.m., The Orville Johnson Band
- Paws For A Beer: 2 p.m., Michael Dayvid
- Shakedown: 8 p.m., Wine Lips, Spirit Award, Checker Bloom (rock)
- Station 49: 3 p.m., Zach Michaud
- Wild Buffalo: 9 p.m., CupcakKe, guests (hip-hop)
Monday, Aug. 7
- Boundary: 6 p.m., The Dusty Mugs (acoustic blues)
- Blue Room: 7 p.m., Tenderpile’s Smile Aisle (jazz)
- Kulshan: 6 p.m., Alex Dunn
- Wild Buffalo: 8 p.m., Nick Shoulders and the Okay Crawdad, Mama’s Broke
Tuesday, Aug. 8
- Aslan: 8 p.m., Jazz Night
- Barkley Village: 6 p.m., Bilongo (Latin jazz)
- Beach Cat: 6 p.m., Michael Dayvid
- Blue Room: 8 p.m., Jam:30 (open jam night)
- Boundary: 3 p.m., Out of the Ashes; 6 p.m., Paul Klein on piano
- Culture Cafe: 7 p.m., Open Mic
- Menace: 7 p.m., Invitational Blues Jam
- Schooner Zodiac, in Bellingham Bay: 6 p.m., Cardova (funk/R&B)
- Wild Buffalo: 8:30 p.m., The Paper Kites, Georgia Harmer
Wednesday, Aug. 9
- Admiralty Lounge: 8:30 p.m., Emily Freudenberger
- Bar Cicotti: 6 p.m., Kevin Woods & Roger Yamashita (jazz)
- Beach at Birch Bay: 6 p.m., Open Mic/Jam
- Boundary: 6 p.m., Aaron Guest on piano; 9 p.m., After Sounds ft. Heist & OK, BlkSknn, Mike Nardone (hip-hop)
- Downtown Sounds: 6 p.m., GrooveBot, 7:30 p.m., Polyrhythmics
- Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Open Mic
- Rockfish: 6 p.m., The Barn Swallows
- Stones Throw: 6 p.m. Jaime Reynolds (acoustic alternative rock)
- Welcome Road: 4 p.m., Tenderpile’s Smile Aisle (jazz)
- Wild Buffalo: 9 p.m., Miles Harris and the Deep Cuts (funk/soul)
Thursday, Aug. 10
- Barkley Village Green: 11 a.m., JP Falcon Grady
- Bistro at Shuksan: 5 p.m., High Peak Trio (funk/jazz)
- Blue Room: 8 p.m., Apollo Suns, Analog Brass
- Boundary: 5 p.m., Eugenia Riot
- Brown Lantern: 8:30 p.m., Open Mic
- Deming Log Show Grounds: 4 p.m., Subdued Stringband Jamboree ft. Alpha YaYa Diallo, Caitlin Jemma & The Goodness, Artful Dodgers and much more
- Elizabeth Park: 6 p.m., Pacific Twang (country)
- Farmstrong: 6 p.m., Jack Mattingly
- Hotel Bellwether: 6 p.m., The Naughty Blokes
- Kulshan Trackside: 6 p.m., TBA
- Mount Vernon Riverwalk: 6 p.m., Eden (folk/rock)
- Structures Old Town: 6:30 p.m., Hopnotic (jazz/funk)
- Thirsty Badger: 7 p.m., Open Mic
- That’s What I Like: 6 p.m., JP Falcon and Friends (folk/rock)
- Wild Buffalo: 6:30 p.m., Joey Jewell and the Swingin’ 60s Orchestra (all-star tribute to Sinatra and classic Las Vegas shows)
- Zeeks: 8 p.m., Mighty Bayou Opossums
Friday, Aug. 11
- Aslan: 8 p.m.
- Beach at Birch Bay: 6 p.m., Jack Benson Band
- Bellewood Farms: 6 p.m., Mark Wagner with John Brazell
- Birdsview: 6 p.m., Ray Neyens (country)
- Bistro at Shuksan: 5 p.m., Julian MacDonough Jazz Quartet
- Blue Room: 8 p.m., Porky & The Menace, Lazy Acres, Dead End Rhythm Section (rock)
- Boundary: 6 p.m., Diego Romero Band (blues/rock)
- Burlington Summer Nights: 6 p.m., Mary Ellen Lykins Band (blues/R&B/rock)
- Deming Log Show Grounds: Subdued Stringband Jamboree starting at 11 a.m., featuring The Sons of Rainier, Kitty & Rooster, Fog Hollow and many more
- Eagle Haven: 7 p.m., Goodtime Hustle
- Fireside: 7 p.m., Young Kidz
- Seafarer’s Memorial Park (Anacortes): 6 p.m., Dusty 45s
- Semiahmoo: 5 p.m., The Problem (jazz)
- Shakedown: 9 p.m., Scott Pemberton O Theory, GLYF
- Skagit Cellars: 6 p.m., Jaden
- Skylark’s: 5 p.m., Lisa Temcov Band (classic country)
- Station 49: 3:30 p.m., Cascade Cody (country)
- That’s What I Like: 7 p.m., Carly Ann Calbero
- Vault: 7 p.m., Song Wranglers (acoustic Americana)
- Wild Buffalo: 9 p.m., Clinton Fearon, Blessed Coast Sound (reggae)
Saturday, Aug. 12
- Beach at Birch Bay: 3 p.m., Blind Fate
- Beach Store Cafe: 5 p.m., Nuages
- Birdsview: 6 p.m., Brittany Collins (singer-songwriter)
- Blue Room: 8 p.m., The Cosmic Neighborhood, Full Color Dream
- Conway Muse: 8 p.m., Christy McWilson & The Picketts
- Deming Log Show Grounds: Subdued Stringband Jamboree starting at 9 a.m., featuring Peter Rowan, Petunia and the Vipers, Shpilkis, Eugenia Riot and many more
- Eagle Haven: 7 p.m., Sweet Emotion (Aerosmith tribute)
- Edgewater Park (Mount Vernon): Brewfest on the Skagit, 2:30 p.m., Aardvarticus Zeus; 4 p.m., David and Ken’s Citizen Hurricane; 5:30 p.m., Yogoman Burning Band
- Fireside 4 p.m., Singers’ Saturday
• Greene’s Corner: 6 p.m., Mighty Bayou Opossums - Guemes Island General Store: 6:30 p.m., Scott Pemberton O Theory
- Heart of Anacortes: 6 p.m., Pension King & The Dependents (classic rock)
- Kulshan Trackside: 7 p.m., Mom Sport, Paperheart
- Northwest Washington Fair: 7 p.m., .38 Special (classic rock)
- Rockfish: 7:30 p.m., Ebb, Slack & Flood (reggae/funk/rock)
- Semiahmoo: 5 p.m., Dial Up (alternative rock covers)
- Shakedown: 9 p.m., Mount Saturn, Dryland, Swamp Lantern (metal)
- Skylark’s: 5 p.m., JP Falcon Grady Band
- Station 49: 4 p.m., The Shannanagins (rock covers)
- Stones Throw: 6 p.m., Song Wranglers (Acoustic Americana)
- Wild Buffalo: 9 p.m., Nite Wave (tribute to Billy Idol, Duran Duran, A Flock of Seagulls)
Sunday, Aug. 13
- Beach at Birch Bay: 3 p.m., Little Big Band
- Bellingham Cider Co: 6:30 p.m., TBA
- Birdsview: 4 p.m., Cascade Cody
- Gilkey Square (La Conner): 1 p.m., Cozmic Sauce (funk/R&B)
- Main Street: 6 p.m., Open Mic
- Northwest Washington Fair: 7 p.m., Los Chicos Del 512 (tribute to Selena)
- Old Edison: 5:30 p.m., The Bow Diddlers
- Wild Buffalo: 8 p.m., Treepeople, Prism Bitch, Itchy Kitty
Before heading out to listen to live music, check with individual venues to make sure the event is still taking place as scheduled.
The Beat Goes On is published online Tuesdays and in print Fridays. Email: jsbhammusic@gmail.com or Twitter: @JSBhamMusic.
