Evan Miller - Beeswax Ephemera

The Preservation label presents Beeswax Ephemera from Iowa City guitarist Evan Miller. With one eye on the
future and one on the past, his playing has considerable technical and abstract expanse, though retains a
wonderful melodic sensibility upfront. Evan’s experimental leanings give Beeswax Ephemera an idiosyncratic
quality that mark an inventive new talent in the world of artists taking guitar music into exciting new directions.
These nominally earthy compositions take flight with the undeniable spirit of country-blues and early Takoma folk
recordings from the likes of John Fahey but also journey into more surreal ruminations for a rapturous work sitting
somewhere between downhome, mysterious and timeless. After taking piano and clarinet lessons as a child, Evan
acquired his first six-string at 14, though it stayed propped against a wall for a time until the age-old spur of
competitive teenage boys made him pick it up and start playing. It was a quick transition from aping FM radio rock
staples to fingerpicking folk, via a copy of Stephan Grossman’s instruction classic “Country-Blues Guitar” book
passed on by his father. It’s influence still looms large: The closing track on Beeswax Ephemera is a dynamic take
on Furry Lewis blues classic “I Will Turn Your Money Green” that also finds room for a blistering snatch of electric
guitar, rolling clarinet lines and sleigh bells by its end. Beeswax Ephemera was originally self-released by Evan in a
handmade edition of 150, primarily sold on tour through the United Kingdom. This new Preservation edition has
been mastered by former Yellow Swans member Pete Swanson and also

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