The Miners, Jenkintown, PA
The Miners are an original alt country band based in Philadelphia, PA. Originally formed in 2007, The Miners are known for their country-infused, alt country originals influenced by the likes of Uncle Tupelo, Whiskeytown, Gram Parsons, and Merle Haggard. Co-founded by Keith Marlowe (lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitar), the current line-up also includes Gregg Hiestand (bass), Vaughn Shinkus (drums, backing vocals) and Brian Herder (pedal steel guitar), who heads a rotating cast of local pedal steel guitar players.
The Miners released their first full-length album, Megunticook, in late 2021. The album features 10 Marlowe-penned originals and is available on 180-gram vinyl, CD and streams on digital music services. The album's first single, “Without You” premiered on Americana Highways with the accompanying video premiering on Americana UK and the follow up single, “Leaving for Ohio”, premiered on American Blues Scene. The album was named one of the top albums of 2021 by American Roots UK, was named a Best of 2022 by AltCountryNL in the Netherlands and received national and international airplay including on WXPN's Americana Music Hour. Critics from around the world loved Megunticook:
“Leaning towards the country end of the country-rock spectrum, these timeless songs consistently strike a cord. …. Marlowe's deceptively simple songs are deeply personal and emotionally powerful.” Rock N Reel Magazine (UK)
“For fans of authentic country and timeless Americana sounds, The Miners' debut is a joy, check it out.” Americana UK
“When I think of what gives a band like Son Volt their purposeful presence, I think of hallmarks such as unpretentious immediacy, steel hooks, wistful vocal refrains — all of which are revealed here in [Leaving for Ohio].” American Blues Scene
“This album approaches the sound that started it all in altcountry as a genre. Because this has the energy of Uncle Tupelo and Whiskeytown. Four men in jeans and cotton shirts from Philadelphia. Without star airs.” AltCountryNL (Netherlands)
In 2012, The Miners released their debut six-song EP, Miners' Rebellion, to critical acclaim and notable airplay including a featured write-up in No Depression, inclusion on the Freight Train Boogie podcast, and praise from alt country/Americana blogs both in the U.S. and overseas (UK & Netherlands) where it was named a Top-10 release for 2013 by Adobe & Teardrops, was chosen as the #1 Debut Release of 2013 by Popa's Tunes blog, and a Best of 2013 by UK radio show Standing in the Shadows of Lev. In 2019, The Miners released a digital-only single, their cover of Miller's Cave, the Cowboy Jack Clement Classic, which received airplay in the U.S. and the U.K. and was reviewed by Americana-focused blogs such as Adobe & Teardrops.
The Miners purposely limit their live shows to a half dozen or so per year at a variety of the Philadelphia-area's top venues including Ardmore Music Hall, World Café Live, MilkBoy Philly, 118 North, and Jamey's House of Music. The Miners have opened for national touring acts including the Outlaws, John Wesley Harding/Wesley Stace, the Waco Brothers and Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers. From 2015-2022, The Miners hosted an annual benefit concert at World Café Live, which raised thousands of dollars for Breast Cancer charities.
