Chris Milam//The Non-Renewed//Pedro Meyer

“Invites—and earns—the Paul Simon comparisons,” raves American Songwriter about Chris Milam, the acclaimed singer-songwriter from Memphis, Tennessee. Milam’s first two albums—Kids These Days and Meanwhile—earned him widespread critical acclaim. Years of dogged, grassroots touring earned him a dedicated fanbase across the US & UK. Collaborations and co-bills with Stax legend William Bell, Valerie June, Amanda Shires, Cory Branan, Garrison Starr, and more earned Milam’s reputation as an ascendent artist to watch.

Now, Chris Milam is set to release his third album, Orchid South: a kinetic, slyly subversive rock record inspired by the music and events of his teenage years. Set firmly in its time and place (1990's Memphis), Orchid South blends 90's alt-rock, Memphis power pop, and Milam's vivid storytelling into eleven portraits of teenage life. Of its time and ours, OS draws a direct line from the tumult, thrill, depression, and anger of adolescence to the chaos of the present.

Its first single, "Cut Myself Shaving," signals a departure from albums past. Combining garage rock & Memphis horns, this three-minutes-and-a-cloud-of-dust rocker depicts Milam's early experimentation with self-harm. Though a far cry from conventional singer-songwriter fare, "Cut Myself Shaving" is representative of Milam's newest album: loud, fast, bold, and masterfully layered.

"As a duo, they’ve decidedly embraced their individual styles, which makes for an interesting cohesion. A lyrical depth interrupted by the brightness of guitar, and a bittersweetness that comes through in songs like ‘Englewood.’ 

Meghan is a soulful force to reckon — bringing a warm raspiness that she attributes to early pop-rock influences like Sara Bareilles and Avril Lavigne. Meanwhile, there is an ease about Mellik’s vocals, which serves to underscore his ultra-clever songwriting. He draws from folk rock legends Paul McCartney and Paul Simon." ---Die Indie

Songwriter, Guitarist and Lead Singer • Denver, CO.

Host or Publisher Skylark Lounge