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Photo by Dan Landstander

Johnny Miles is a new American folk hero. Well, maybe not new exactly “” he’s been making music his entire life “” but new to the greater listening public who only recently discovered his talent.

Born and raised in South Jersey, 25-year-old Miles grew up listening to classic folk rock and Americana (the Beatles, Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash), and has been writing songs “for as long as I can remember.”

In 2004, he started his own label, TREE Records (not to be confused with Chicago’s Tree Records) and released his debut album, Awakening. The album was well-received, and shortly after, Miles became a regular on the Philly circuit. In 2007, he released his second album, Sign of the Times, which helped cement his reputation as one of the city’s most promising young folk stars.

Known for his jangly folk melodies and inspired lyrics, Miles is a master at joining together word and sound to form something greater. From the tinkering piano and mandolin on “Faces of the Wind” (in which Miles croons about “throwing away the world for the chance to build it back up”) to the defiant rock guitar on “Gasoline” (“the whole thing is a lottery you won’t hear on the radio”), each song resonates with passion and power.

So where does this young Dylan draw his inspiration from? Writes Miles on his Myspace: “I believe in community”¦[I] think there is more culture to be found in our own neighborhoods than on any TV channel any day of the week.”

We’re feeling the love for miles.

Catch Miles live this Friday at Tritone, alongside Quelle Source, Agent Moosehead, and the North Lawrence Midnight Singers.

Johnny Miles at Tritone, Friday, August 1
1508 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 545″”0475
www.tritonebar.com