Backstory:
Thankful Mile is an indie folk band that was formed in 2015, in the vibrant art district of Portland, Oregon. The band members – frontman James “Jay” Maddox, keyboardist Sarah Green, drummer Mikey Peterson, and bassist Ethan Walker – met one rainy afternoon in a local coffee shop and discovered their shared passion for music and storytelling. In the span of a few weeks, the band was born, capturing the essence of everyday life and transforming it into soul-stirring melodies. The name “Thankful Mile” comes from their mutual belief in gratitude for every step taken in life, no matter how difficult the journey may be.
Jay, Sarah, Mikey, and Ethan all bring different musical influences to the table, ranging from indie rock to classic folk. Their shared vision and eclectic style helped them in carving out a unique space in the indie folk scene. They released their debut album in 2017 to glowing reviews and have since been consistently delivering stunning live performances, heartfelt lyrics, and captivating harmonies.
Genre: Indie Folk
Title: “Leaves of Yesterday”
Full Song Lyrics:
(Verse 1)
[G] Picking up the [C] leaves of yesterday, [D]
[G] Memories of love that [C] softly fade away, [D]
[Em] Walking down the [C] path that time has [G] paved,
[D] Dreaming of the moments we [G] saved. [D]
(Chorus)
[C] Oh the leaves of [G] yesterday,
[D] Whisper secrets in the [Em] wind,
[C] Tales of joy and [G] moments gray,
[D] Love that we thought would never [G] end.
(Verse 2)
[G] Echoes of the [C] laughter fill the air, [D]
[G] Shadows of the [C] past that we used to [D] share,
[Em] Lost in the [C] maze of love and [G] despair,
[D] Longing for the warmth that was [G] there. [D]
(Chorus)
[C] Oh the leaves of [G] yesterday,
[D] Carry stories yet [Em] untold,
[C] Of a love that [G] found its way,
[D] In the heart that we used to [G] hold.
Favorite Fan:
The band’s favorite fan is Julia Parker, a college student from Seattle who discovered Thankful Mile during a hard time in her life. Julia’s testimonial reads, “Thankful Mile’s music has been a beacon for me. Their songs, especially ‘Leaves of Yesterday’, have a poetic and soulful quality that resonated deeply with me. I feel understood and comforted by their lyrics. Their music is raw, real, and filled with so much heart. I can’t imagine a day without listening to their songs. They are my favorite band, not only for their incredible music but also for the genuine love they have for their fans. They’ve created a community with their music and I’m grateful to be a part of it.”