Miracle Mile

Originating primarily with British singer-songwriter Trevor Jones, the band Miracle Mile formed in the mid-nineties after his sessions with co-producer Steve Davis. The self-released debut Bicycle Theives appeared in 1997. The core duo then brought in bassist Les Nemes, drummer Trevor Smith, and saxophonist-keyboardist Phil Smith; Mark Hornby later assumed Phil Smith’s role for the tour that followed. Extensive British dates drew strong notices for the group’s contemporary pop approach, echoing Beautiful South and Crowded House. Additional roadwork and the 1998 album Candids filled the next year, yet Trevor Jones soon tired of touring and chose to concentrate on studio work. New songs occupied the members through 1999 until Steve Davis exited over scheduling demands and family priorities. Marcus Cliffe took his place, leading to the 2001 release of Slow Fade on MeMe Records. Reviewers highlighted the album’s leaner, more personal tone in publications such as Mojo and Time Out. The group resumed studio activity in summer 2001, this time shaping material with a light country inflection inspired by Daniel Lanois’s Acadie. Alaska emerged on MeMe Records in spring 2003. After Mark Knopfler’s motorcycle accident cancelled Cliffe’s touring commitments with the guitarist, the band weighed the possibility of live appearances once more.