This set-up for fame and fortune is a familiar one: a band dissolves, leaving the lead singer hungry for more. He steps away from the music scene and contemplates life amidst travels, only to return reenergized and with a new-found sense of determination.
The tale of Justin Miner sounds similar to a few recent success stories whose dreams were temporarily derailed before finding inspiration in new places. In Miner’s case, old faces seemed to have aided the transition. After his tenure as front man for Fight From Above and his Central American wanderings came to a close, Justin turned to those closest to him to press forward with his musical career. The band is relevantly titled, as it is comprised of Justin’s wife, brother, and close friends. The warm and fuzzy sentiments don’t stop there as their debut EP was recorded in an L.A. studio built by Justin inside his own home. The EP’s title, Hey Love, appears to be an appropriate choice for the new group and the foundations it was built on. The title track certainly emits a family feeling upon just one listen.
“Hey Love” opens with a comforting guitar riff, followed closely by Justin’s spirited voice. The banjo then grabs the focus and sparks the entertaining, good-natured feel of the track. The release of a foot-stomping, folk-rock/pop song could not have been better timed. Riding on the heels of the numerous folk groups to recently surface throughout the U.S., Miner’s positive message and delightful banjo should fit in nicely — perhaps in a playlist sandwiched between The Avett Brothers and The Lumineers. While the mini-genre expands and the twangs of a banjo become more common, Justin Miner’s voice and songwriting should lead Miner safely through the “folkplosion.”