Hello Pain
Self-Released, 2026
9/10
The veteran Minnesota musician Scottie Miller brings his esteemed piano playing to these road tested songs that recruits full orchestration from the unparalleled Budapest Scoring Orchestra.
“Just Checking In” opens with Miller’s heartfelt voice and warm keys alongside Greg Schutte’s crisp drumming, and the title track follows with a poetic mood, where Cierra Alise Hill’s strings add much elegance to the powerful climate.
“The Garden” lands in the middle and blends the heartfelt singing and emotive keys into a cinematic presence, while “Underneath The Black Oaks” is an ebullient album highlight that stirs the soul in its orchestral appeal.
Closer to the end, the frisky “Balance” makes great use of Dan Carpel’s skilled bass amid the layered vocals, and “I’ll Be Damned” exits with mature textures and much sincerity from Miller’s delivery in both soft and firm moments of his timeless songwriting.
Miller’s primary gig is being the keyboardist for Ruthie Foster, and he brings a wealth of talent and experience to very personal songs that make for a raw, hard hitting and introspective effort of lush song craft.
Travels well with: Ruthie Foster- Healing Time; The Jorgensens- Americana Soul