Miracle Sweepstakes

The origins of Miracle Sweepstakes can be traced to a high school art class, where drummer Ian Miniero and singer/guitarist Craig Heed bonded over Kid A, The Killing Moon, and a portrait Heed did of The Strokes' Albert Hammond Jr. The duo started jamming together in Miniero's basement, and soon after met bassist Doug Bleek via MySpace, with whom they'd play in various bands throughout the rest of high school and college. After forming Miracle Sweepstakes in 2013, the trio played around NYC while recording their debut Turn Heel, a "weirdly wonderful" album (The Village Voice) full of "wild and unexpected" twists and turns (Stereogum). Following its release, the band logged a pair of DIY tours through the south and midwestern United States and landed a gig opening for Television's Richard Lloyd. While recording their second album, guitarist Justin Mayfield responded to the group's Craigslist ad, his interest piqued by The Zombies and Brainiac being among the listed influences. Mayfield joined on, and the now-quartet released their sophomore effort Rorschached, which drew comparisons to Syd Barrett and Brian Wilson, as well as contemporary acts like Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Regrouping post-pandemic, Miniero and Heed returned to the basement where their first jams took place, laying down the basic tracks for their third album, Last Licks-- a record which, to quote PopMatters, is "psychedelic, weird, and good." Photo cred (in order): Sam Blieden (x2), Annie Fell, Tom Gallo