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Tow'rs

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Tow'rs is an American folk band based out of Flagstaff, Arizona.[1] The band includes Gretta and Kyle Miller, drummer Dan Bagle, guitarist Kyle Keller, and cellist Emma Riebe.[2][3][4] Kyle Miller's brother, Kory, also previously performed with the band as a drummer.[3][5]

History

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Kyle and Gretta Miller met in 2008 while they were students at Northern Arizona University.[2][6][7] They began writing music and performing at a local nondenominational Christian church.[2] The couple married in 2012 and formed Tow'rs in 2014.[2][3][5] Keller and Riebe were recruited through mutual friends from NAU.[5]

In 2021 the band contributed a single, "Love Who You Love", to Serenade, an album they co-produced with other LGBTQ-affirming artists and Beloved Arise, an organization which aims to support religious LGBTQ youth.[8][9][10][11] The single was inspired both by a drag show the Millers attended and a poem by Hafez about God being in drag.[8][9]

Views

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The band's music initially used explicit references to Christianity in their lyrics, but they slowly moved away from explicit references in more recent works.[2] Some of the band's members are agnostic or atheist.[3] Gretta and Kyle have expressed discomfort with Christian nationalism, and have expressed support of LGBTQ rights.[2][8]

Discography

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Albums

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  • Tow'rs (2014)[12]
  • The Great Minimum (2015)[12]
  • Grey Fidelity (2017)[12]
  • New Nostalgia (2019)[2][12]
  • The Holly and the Ivy (2020)[12]
  • Joy Alchemy (2023)[12]

Awards

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  • 2015 Viola Awards, Emerging Artist[13][14]
  • 2016 Viola Awards Nominee, Excellence in the Performing Arts for The Great Minimum[15]
  • 2021 Viola Awards, Excellence in Music for The Holly and the Ivy[16]
  • 2022 Viola Awards, Excellence in Collaboration for Serenade[11][17]

References

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  1. ^ Thompson, Stephen (5 March 2019). "The Austin 100: Tow'rs". NPR. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Wallace, Anthony (4 December 2019). "Tow'rs Are at Peace". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  3. ^ a b c d Hoover, Carl (14 January 2020). "Tow'rs band explores the gray of life in music". Waco Tribune-Herald. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  4. ^ "Emma Riebe". My Site. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  5. ^ a b c "Meet Tow'rs, Kyle Miller". VoyagePhoenix. 30 October 2018. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  6. ^ "Tow'rs". The Vogue. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  7. ^ Sommerfeld, Seth. "Tow'rs use their creative couple chemistry to craft floating folk-rock songs". Inlander. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  8. ^ a b c "Queer Christian Artists Keep The Faith: How LGBTQ+ Musicians Are Redefining Praise Music". www.grammy.com. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  9. ^ a b "4-Tow'rs-locked". Beloved Arise. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  10. ^ Miller, Emily McFarlan (2021-06-08). "'Serenade' album celebrates LGBTQ youth ahead of Queer Youth of Faith Day". Religion News Service. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  11. ^ a b "2022 Viola Awards". Creative Flagstaff. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  12. ^ a b c d e f "Tow'rs on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  13. ^ Markgraf, Diandra (12 April 2015). "Tow'rs a rising new local band". Arizona Daily Sun. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  14. ^ Markgraf, Diandra (8 March 2015). "Viola Awards: Flagstaff standing ovation for the arts". Arizona Daily Sun. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  15. ^ Wilcox, Steve (2016-01-06). "Flagstaff Arts Council Announces Viola Award Nominees". Arizona Commission on the Arts. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  16. ^ "Announcing the winners of the 13th Annual Viola Awards". Creative Flagstaff. 14 July 2021. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  17. ^ Mackenzie, Chase (6 May 2022). "The lasting power of creativity: Viola Awards celebrates best in arts and sciences". Arizona Daily Sun. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
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Scholia has a profile for Tow'rs (Q116687261).
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