Akron/Family’s Miles Seaton has died at the age of 41

Miles Cooper Seaton, a founding member of experimental rock band Akron/Family, has died at the age of 41. The news was confirmed by the band’s label Dead Oceans.

The band formed in 2002, and between then and 2013 released six studio albums, alongside numerous self-released EPs and collaborative records. They had a close association with Michael Gira’s projects Angels Of Light and Swans, appearing on albums by both. They were also first signed to Gira’s label Young God Records.

Music and memories are so intertwined for me. Being part of Dead Oceans means so many great artists have enriched me, not just through their music, but through getting to know them as people. As family. Today we found out that we lost Miles Seaton, one-third of Akron/Family. pic.twitter.com/kPwQmJzogV

— Dead Oceans (@DeadOceans) February 19, 2021

Co-founder of Dead Oceans Phil Waldorf wrote on Twitter: “Akron/Family are the type of band that underscore the whole reason Dead Oceans exists. I feel lucky that I knew Miles, and sad that I have to say goodbye. We hope you’ll share some memories. There are too many for me to count right now.”

Following the 2013 release of Sub Verses, the band embarked on an indefinite hiatus. Seaton, along with all of the other members of Akron/Family, had a multi-instrumental role in the band, defining their eclectic and experimental sound, which overall made use of improvisation, field-recordings and electronic elements.

Following the hiatus, Seaton embarked on several solo projects, including Notes From The Interior in 2013, Functional Music Vols. 1 & 2 in 2015 and Phases In Exile in 2017.

A cause of death has not been confirmed.

For more music news, click here.