Miller, We are the Willows to perform at Root Note Feb. 23

Call him Mr. Pete.  Call him Peter.  Either way you swing it Peter Michael Miller is the one man band We Are The Willows.  He's on his winter tour and will be making a stop at the Root Note in downtown La Crosse on Wednesday, Feb. 23 starting at 8 p.m.  Enjoy the cozy, comfortable, sophisticated setting of the Root Note for what the proprietors call "the return of a favorite."

Miller, a Minneapolis native, has been actively recording and performing in numerous bands since college.  We Are The Willows began as a side project, but has gradually transformed into the principal concentration for this singer/songwriter. In 2007 he released his first EP, "Bravery," and has since released the album "A Collection of Sounds and Something Like the Plague."

 "Well, some folks call it, "Sad Bastard Folk Music", which may be closer to the truth than I want it to be," Miller said describing his sound.  "I write simple songs about people in an attempt to make some sense of my own life." 

Miller said the best way to describe my music is this; if a family photo album grew up to be a sensitive dude that never had a voice change during puberty and started writing songs, it would sound like We Are The Willows.  

"There are a lot of great things about the Root Note; it's a cozy joint, the staff is extremely nice, there always seems to be folks there, and they give me one million dollars every time I play," Miller said.  "That last one isn't true.  I wish it was though."

This would be a great show to catch, but if you can't make it downtown that night, Miller is playing in Menomonie Feb. 24 and in Eau Claire on Feb. 25 wrapping up his winter tour.

"College students might dig my jams because they probably sound similar to some other folks that college students might like Bon Iver, Death Vessel, Sufjan Stevens, Iron and Wine, etc.," Miller said. Not to mention, he gives away free pizza at all of his shows.

As an added bonus Miller is looking for anyone interested in playing with him to join him at his performance.  If this sounds like a great opportunity to jam out with a labeled artist, shoot him an e-mail at petermichaelmiller@gmail.com. If you are looking for more information on his music or tour dates visit the We Are The Willows artist page at www.ambledown.com and download his "A Family.  A Tree." EP for free.