Playlist Premiere: This is Milo Greene - Andrew Heringer

Playlist Premiere: This is Milo Greene - Andrew Heringer

It’s a common misconception that Milo Greene is a person. And, well, he probably is a person, but the Milo Greene that hit big with last year’s eponymous debut is actually a four-piece, and none of its members are named Milo. In anticipation of their forthcoming sophomore album Control, we’re taking a minute to get to know each member of the band, complete with a few questions and a curated playlist. We’ve caught up with members Marlana Sheetz and Graham Fink, and now we’re getting to know Andrew Heringer. Listen to his curated playlist above, and read more about his involvement with the band below.

Paste: What kinds of music influenced you growing up?

My parents music collection had a big influence early on. They were into all kinds of music, but I remember really gravitating to songwriters like Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, CSN&Y and James Taylor. We had a stereo with a cassette recorder that I’d use to make myself mix tapes from the radio. I’d keep my hand against the record button waiting for the first sign of recognizable song (inevitably every song started a few seconds late). I’d take my Walkman and those mixtapes around with me everywhere listening to Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Aerosmith, Counting Crows, etc.

Paste: What are you listening to lately? Is anyone in particular inspiring you?

I keep finding myself coming back to the most recent War On Drugs and Ryan Adams albums. I’ve also been enjoying the new Damien Rice album. A few of us Milos got the opportunity to sing on a couple tracks of that record. Damien was a huge influence to me in my early songwriting days, so it was really special to be able to contribute in a small way to his album.

Paste: Can you tell me about how you first got into music—did you always know you wanted to be a musician?

I started playing violin through the music program at my school. I think my family saw I really enjoyed playing, so when I showed interest in playing guitar they were quick to encourage that and got me one. The different performance experiences with both those instruments had a lot to do with my musical influences. I went through phases with folk, rock, blues, jazz and classical. I was the kid locked away in my room practicing or listening to music all the time. I feel lucky to have been aware of what I was passionate about from an early age.

Paste: What do you do in your spare time?

I try to spend time as much time as I can outdoors. I really enjoy hiking and biking around the Hollywood Hills when I’m in LA. I grew up in the foothills of Sierra Nevadas mountains so I find myself gravitating towards that landscape. I miss being closer to Lake Tahoe. I would spend everyday of the winter snow skiing if I could.

Paste: Can you tell me a little bit about your personal part in songwriting and performing in Milo Greene?

The unique thing about Milo Greene is that anyone of us could take control of any part of the process – writing, singing, lyrics, playing the instruments, engineering or mixing. There is never a moment where inspiration or abilities are lacking. With this kind of collective, its important to stay openminded, adaptable and selfless enough to hear whats best for the music and momentum of the group at the present moment.

A lot of people have commented on the genre difference from our first record to our latest. Each of us come into to this collaboration with our own evolving inspirations. I think because of the nature of having four songwriters in one band – Milo Greene may have a tendency to morph and change, to the point where every album could have a different style and sound as we try to find that middle ground amongst ourselves