Arizona based band, People Who Could Fly, are a modern indie pop band composed of Fletcher Milloy on guitar, James Mills on vocals, Jacob Paige on bass, Josh Paige on drums, and Levi Siwek on guitar. I was able to talk to James about music inspiration, the band’s newest single, and future touring plans. Check it out! When and how did you decide you wanted to be in a band and make music? - When I was 12 I visited a museum in Seattle called the Experience Music Project. They had a cool exhibit there where you can pick up a guitar and learn a song, so I learned Louie Louie by The Kingsmen. That's when I started really playing music. I went home and practiced new songs on my dad's old guitar for about 3 hours every day. Then later that year I saw the movie School of Rock, and that's when I decided I had to be in a band. 13 years and several projects later, here we are with People Who Could Fly! What are some other artists you draw inspiration from for your music? - I've always been inspired by Nirvana. Kurt Cobain had a cool attitude about music, and it really made his style unique. He made up his own version of music theory and would write lyrics off the top of his head on the way to record Nirvana's songs! I try to be spontaneous with lyric and songwriting as well. Usually I'll pick up an instrument, mess around with a few licks, and go from there. Most of my lyrics were spur-of-the-moment improvisations that I later go back and tweak. It feels more personal and true-to-life that way, Other inspiring artists for me (and the band) are The Killers, The Strokes, Kings of Leon... and a lot of British stuff! What’s the meaning behind your band name? - "People Who Could Fly" came from an old African folk tale. There was a witch doctor that could say a spell and give people wings. We like to think our music can do something similar - give people wings to step away from whatever's troubling them and help them live in the moment. Do you think you’ll be able to accomplish what other bands have due to how young you guys are? - Sure! We're super dedicated to the craft, and do everything we can to build opportunities for ourselves. We love networking with other bands here in the southwest. We feel pretty lucky to have come as far as we have! Tell us about your recent single, “Taking Me Over”. - It's a fun one! We recorded it with Robb Vallier, who is a producer that worked with The Gin Blossoms, One Direction. Foo Fighters, and so many others. The song is about a feeling you get late at night when you're trying to keep your mind off of someone from your past - maybe someone you used to be romantic with. Like you keep thinking about them even though you don't want to. "Every night you're taking me over". What can people expect for the future, in terms of new music and touring? - We're setting up some shows around the Southwest US right now! Touring's always on the radar, so we encourage fans to go to PeopleWhoCouldFly.com to see when and where we're playing! We're also working on a new EP right now, which we hope to release within 6 months or so (or sooner!). We're also super excited that in March we're playing with Fitz and the Tantrums, Death Cab for Cutie, and so many other awesome bands at Pot of Gold Music Festival! Check out People Who Could Fly! @peoplewhocouldfly www.PeopleWhoCouldFly.com [email protected] Their recent single, “Taking Me Over”! https://open.spotify.com/track/2a5wCZa6IijTAIywcwqquz Interview: Sabrina Sloan @gxthdog