We Are The Willows

We Are The Willows is an orchestral indie rock band based out of South Minneapolis. The 5-piece ensemble features songwriter/frontman Peter Miller’s unique countertenor voice and guitar, supported by Jeremiah Satterthwaite (guitar), Hilary James (cello/voice/keys), Travis Collins (bass), and Josh McKay (drums). We Are The Willows craft dynamic, intimate songs with instruments and voices combining to create energetic rhythms and intricate melodies. Their heartfelt arrangements evoke shared nostalgic feelings of love and loss.


Between 2014 and 2016 the band released Picture (Portrait) Parts 1 & 2, based off of 350 letters written by Peter’s grandfather to his grandmother while he was stationed in the Southwest Pacific during World War II. Their correspondence inspired Peter to explore themes of family, separation, life, death, and identity in a time of national and personal crisis. The songs communicate complex ideas delivered with pop-sensible charm.


In the time since the release of Picture (Portrait) Pts. 1 & 2, We Are The Willows have toured across North America, playing dates with the likes of Blitzen Trapper, PHOX, S. Carey and Matt Pond PA. The band has appeared at music festivals including Treefort and SXSW 2015 where they performed on multiple showcases. Picture (Portrait) pts. 1 & 2 have received praise from NPR, the BBC, Buzzfeed, PASTE Magazine, NOISEY, Brooklyn Vegan, Magnet Magazine, and 89.3 The Current.