There’s no easy way to process loss, but Colin Miller has channeled his emotions into his music, using the creative process as a way to cope and honor the memory of loved ones. “Cadillac” is about this process. It is a deeply personal and biographical song for Miller, who recently experienced the passing of his landlord and father figure, Gary. He had known Gary for nearly 13 years, spanning his teenage and young adult life. Their friendship and mentorship eventually evolved, with Miller taking on more property and personal caretaker duties as Gary aged. This grief and reflection profoundly affected Miller and inspired much of his sophomore album, Losin’, which meditates on the pain of loss and the celebration of a life well-lived.
The title “Cadillac” is indicative of the imagery Colin Miller witnessed as he watched Gary’s funeral procession drive by. As a lifelong car enthusiast, Gary had historically been a truck driver, the owner of an automotive shop, and a member of a car collector’s club. The “wreck-yard” mentioned by Miller at the end of the song refers to his landlord’s car collection kept on the property, which gradually receded into the woods, being overtaken by nature due to non-use. Lyrically, Miller is very descriptive and finds beautiful ways to relay details about Gary – his lazy eye, his fake teeth, and perhaps his reckless tendencies like running red lights and smoking Pall Malls near his oxygen tank (“if you blow up this time, the blame will be all on me.”). Though the song is about a specific individual, Miller constructs it in a way that resonates with listeners, making it relatable and observable rather than abstract.
Colin Miller’s cast of bandmates on this project includes some of his best friends and support systems: Jake Lenderman (MJ Lenderman / Wednesday) on drums and lead lines, Xandy Chelmis (MJ Lenderman / Wednesday) on the pedal steel, and Ethan Baechtold (MJ Lenderman / Wednesday) on the bass and keys. The upcoming album Losin’ is as much an appreciation for life as it is a tale of loss, and playing with this group of friends further allows Miller to create an authentic and heartfelt piece of work, drawing on shared history and deep connections.
“Cadillac” is released ahead of Colin Miller’s sophomore album titled Losin’, out April 25th on Mtn Laurel Recording Co. Pre-order via Bandcamp is available here.
Check out the accompanying music video for “Cadillac” below, which features “just a couple of dudes on a hunting trip.” Their weapon of choice? The needler from Halo.
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