10 Ladies - 10 Questions - Shaela Miller
Welcome to the BRD Original Series - 10 Ladies - 10 Questions!
Hey everyone! Do you like music? Of course you do! Perhaps you remember our last series entitled "10 Punks, 10 Questions." It was a great time and highlighted many of the great punk rock musicians in our province. The only problem was, much like the parties I hosted as a 20 year old, it was a total bro fest. Not that there's anything wrong with that but anyone who's been out to a show in Alberta can confirm that is only a small sliver of what this great scene has to offer. This new series will focus on 10 rad ladies in the Alberta music scene and I hope you find your new favourite artist over the next 2 weeks! So once again, I implore you to hop into your coziest of PJ pants, grab a Radler, and prepare to be entertained!
Let's wander down South. No, not to Calgary. Even further! No, not Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. We are talking about Lethbridge folks. Here you will find Shaela Miller - an unbelievably talented lady with a heart of gold! When she's not belting out tunes in her unique style of hardcore honky-tonk, she's politely answering questions from the yahoos at Brutal Reality Digest. Check out her words below!
BRUTAL REALITY DIGEST: Identify yourself, your band, and your weapon of choice.
SHAELA MILLER: My name is Shaela Miller. My music can be described as hardcore honky-tonk and country noir. My weapon of choice is a 1962 Harmony Stratotone (guitar).
BRD: What is your favourite part about the city you live in?
SM: Lethbridge has an incredibly supportive music and arts scene. I love living here and feel very fortunate to be a part of this community.
BRD: What’s the least favourite part about the city you live in?
SM: The wind. Lethbridge can be horrendously windy. Makes my brain hurt.
BRD: What is a movie quote you find yourself quoting the most?
SM: "Tell me about it, stud" - Grease
BRD: What was the first song you learned how to play?
SM: "Jamaica Farewell"- Harry Belafonte. My dad taught that to me. He wanted me to learn the finger-picking playing style. It was really hard and I was 11. First song I chose to play and also learned to sing at the same time as playing guitar (a very difficult feat for beginner guitar players) was "Wish you were here"- Pink Floyd.
BRD: If you could perform a duet with any musician in history, who would you choose?
SM: George Jones.
BRD: What was the funnest show you ever played? (Good English, Josh)
SM: Hmm.. The funnest show, that's a tough one. There's been so many great moments. One of my favourite career highlights was opening up for Prairie Oyster. I was on such an elevated high from adrenalin that every note that came out of my throat felt like a rush of endorphins to my brain.
BRD: What was your most embarrassing moment on stage?
SM: My mom asked me to perform a Kathy Mattea song at her wedding in England. I didn't take the time to learn it and I messed it up so bad on stage that I had to stop in the middle of the song and apologize to everyone. Darkest, most embarrassing moment on stage in my life.
BRD: What is one cover song that you absolutely refuse to play?
SM: So many, but the first one that comes to mind is "Wagon Wheel".
BRD: What are you most excited for as we finish off 2020?
SM: My upcoming album Big Hair Small City is out late January/early Feb. I'm excited for the release of that. And I love Christmas. I have the most beautiful pink Christmas tree. I'm excited to enjoy it shimmering in all its pink glory.