By Kate Bartlett
Founded in 2016, Erie PA based band Smilo and the Ghost has been playing festivals and venues in the area for over 9 years. They deliver hard-driving, old-time influenced folk-rock to crowds around the Northeast, and have opened for national acts including Dan + Shea and 10,000 Maniacs. The band will be playing at Griffis Sculpture Park Summer Music Festival on August 17.
Tyler Smilo started playing guitar when he was 17 years old. “I had a knack for playing around the campfire,” recalls Tyler. “I started out just casually playing, but eventually it became more serious.” He began song-writing in his mid-20’s seeking to further his creative outlet. “Nowadays, I’m fanatically writing songs,” says Tyler.
Tyler gained experience playing with various bands in and around Erie, some touring nationally. In 2016, he met current fellow band members at what he describes as a ‘legendary open mic night.’ Tyler met Adam McKillip (mandolin, vocals), Jassen Wilber (bass guitar) and Dominck DeCecco (banjo, vocals) at The Crooked Eye in Erie, PA. “It was somewhat serendipitous,” says Tyler. “We four really hit it off, and decided to get together for a second open mic night. Everything just evolved organically from there.”
Tyler describes Adam, Jassen and Dominick as music theorists with incredible talent, and accolades that attest to this. Jassen has toured the world with American blues guitarist Bernard Allison, while Adam and Dominick have gained vast expertise in various bands and teaching lessons. “The timing was right, and we’re a great fit,” says Tyler. “I write the songs, and these guys help arrange them. I’ve learned a lot from them and we’ve grown together as a band throughout the years.”
Over the past 9 years, Smilo and the Ghost has played at various venues in and around the Erie area, along with several festivals and events. “If you can name it, we’ve probably played there,” laughs Tyler. “We enjoy the small venues, the back corner bars, just as much as the large festivals. It’s a different vibe, but we appreciate both in their own respect.” They’ve played in festivals around Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan.
Their debut album, Ghost Writers, was voted one of the Top Three Albums of 2018. The band will be playing at Griffis Sculpture Park Summer Festival on August 17.
The name “Smilo and the Ghost” is derived from Tyler’s last name and the way he creates songs. “I’ve always said that I’m not quite sure where my ideas for songs come from, or how they get written,” explains Tyler. “Sometimes, it just seems like they appear or that something comes over me, like a spirit or ghost of sorts.”
he creates songs. “I’ve always said that I’m not quite sure where my ideas for
songs come from, or how they get written,” explains Tyler. “Sometimes, it just
seems like they appear or that something comes over me, like a spirit or ghost
of sorts.”
Smilo and the Ghost plays an Americana country/rock sound with a blend of bluegrass inspired notes, but maintains a sound all their own. Tyler appreciates various styles of music, but resonates mostly with the styles of John Prime and Bob Dylan.
Tyler is inspired by the struggle of life, finding the beauty in it, and hoping to help others who may be experiencing similar things. “I’ve been clean from drugs and alcohol for almost 7 years,” explains Tyler. “At times, I felt as though I felt life too deeply, and sought to escape these intense feelings through alcohol and drugs. I learned to harness these feelings and channel them into my songwriting. From my experiences, I have a massive well of deep feelings to write from, and I hope to help others through song. Music has been incredibly therapeutic for me, and I hope it can be helpful to others.”
This spring and summer, the band is looking forward to continuing to play various festivals and venues in the area, along with launching their own annual music festival in Grove City, PA: Ghost Town on August 9 at Big Rail Brewing. “We are so excited to launch this festival,” says Tyler. “We are thrilled to have an incredible lineup of regional and nationally renowned songwriters including Tommy Prime, Madison Hughes, Nicholas Jamerson, John Miller and more. It’s all about great songs, good people and the kind of day you won’t forget.”
For more information visit smiloandtheghost.com, follow on social media. For tickets to see Smilo and the Ghost at Griffis Sculpture Park Summer Music Festival visit griffissculpturepark.org and for Ghost Town Music Festival visit simpletix.com.