Miles & Mafale
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Long Island, NY
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Catherine Miles and Jay Mafale — husband and wife, co-conspirators, storytellers. They are two scoops of modern folk with a sprinkling of pop-catchiness, topped off with the wit and flair that comes of their theater backgrounds.
Catherine’s voice is an expressive powerhouse. Jay’s guitar is distinctive and unconventional. They are known for the plainspoken poetry, clever humor, and unique perspectives of their songs. Miles & Mafale aim to shift points of view through themes of perseverance, hope, and strength of spirit. And yes, sometimes they throw in a villain just for fun.
It can be said that Catherine and Jay have experienced more than the usual share of ups and downs… but this, along with their diverse influences and initial decade of performing cover songs (in their own group and as sidemen) gives them a tremendous “palette” to draw from.
Miles & Mafale blend all of that together into their own candid and playful style.
Audiences first came to know Catherine and Jay as a trio, The YaYas, with piano man Paul Silverman. More recent years found them touring the country with Karyn Oliver and Carolann Solebello as No Fuss and Feathers.
Miles & Mafale’s songwriting has earned them acclaim in venerable listening rooms and festivals nationwide, along with recognition as Most Wanted Emerging Artists at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, three-time Kerrville New Folk finalists, South Florida Folk Festival/Vic Heyman Award Finalists, and Honorable Mentions in Mid-Atlantic and Braver Angels song contests. They have performed as official showcase artists at SWRFA, SERFA, NERFA, and FARM.
The duo’s latest release, Be Brave, is “Beautifully made. An articulate page-turner of an album that feels like a short story collection in 10 songs.” Marilyn Rea Beyer, WFMT Chicago.
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