The Miners

The Miners are an original alt country band based in Philadelphia, PA (yes, there are alt country bands in Philly). Originally formed in 2007, The Miners are known for their country-infused, alt country originals influenced by the likes of Uncle Tupelo, Whiskeytown, Gram Parsons, and Merle Haggard. Co-founded by Keith Marlowe (lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitar), the current line-up also includes Gregg Hiestand (bass), Vaughn Shinkus (drums, backing vocals) and Brian Herder (pedal steel guitar) who leads a rotating cast of local pedal steel, lap steel and electric guitar players.

The Miners are releasing their new full-length album, Megunticook, on October 22, 2021. The album will feature 10 Marlowe-penned never released originals and will be available on 180 gram vinyl (including limited edition color vinyl) as well as most digital formats (Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, etc.).

In September 2019, The Miners released their cover of Miller’s Cave, the Cowboy Jack Clement Classic previously recorded by Gram Parsons, Bobby Bare, Hank Snow, Charlie Pride and Doug Sahm among others. The single received airplay in the U.S. and the U.K. and has been reviewed by Americana focused blogs such as Adobe & Teardrops.

In late 2012, The Miners released their debut six-song EP, Miner’s Rebellion to critical acclaim and notable airplay. The Miners received a featured write-up on No Depression, were featured twice on Bill Frater’s legendary podcast, Freight Train Boogie, and drew praise from alt country/Americana blogs both in the U.S. and overseas where it was named a Top-10 release for 2013 by Adobe & Teardrops, was chosen as the #1 Debut Release of 2013 by the blog Popa’s Tunes, and a Best of 2013 by UK radio show Standing in the Shadows of Lev. Miners’ Rebellion received airplay on alt country/Americana radio programs and podcasts in the U.S. and overseas including Wrecking Ball Radio (Chapel Hill, NC; #1 on weekly playlist in March 2013), Radio Free Americana (Verona, VA; #11 on their weekly top-200 artists in February 2013), Redbud Radio Show (Indianapolis, IN), The Miller Tells Hers Tale (UK), Standing in the Shadows of Lev (UK), and the Songriver Show (Netherlands). Miners’ Rebellion also received Philadelphia airplay on WXPN on Helen Leicht’s XPN Local Show.


The Miners purposely limit their live shows to a half dozen or so per year at a variety of Philadelphia’s top venues including World Café Live (Downstairs and Upstairs), MilkBoy Philly, 118 North, Dawson Street Pub, and Jamey’s House of Music. The Miners have opened for national touring acts including John Wesley Harding/Wesley Stace, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, Don Dixon and Scott H. Biram. For the past 5 years, The Miners have hosted a sold-out benefit at World Café Live (upstairs) raising money for Breast Cancer charities such as Living Beyond Breast Cancer. The Miners have also played a variety of local festivals including the Jenkintown Arts Festival (main stage), Philadelphia Country Music Festival and Awbury Arboretum Harvest Festival.