GOLD HILL/JAMESTOWN — Gus Miller and Rachel Cole’s new unit is a fairly new endeavor.
First trying out a series of performances as a duo in 2025, the two have decided to tour the Southwest again this year, giving a name to their act: Down River.
“Now we’ve got a little bit more of an identity, so it’s fun to come back with a little more oomph this time,” says Cole, as the duo intends to cement a stronger performing image.
“We’ll be hitting some of the same spots as last year,” says Miller of the duo tour, “so it’ll be good to see some of the same folks.”
Along with coining their unit’s name, the Austin, Texas-based performers have started building their own catalog of Americana and grassroots music, influenced by artists such as Gillian Welch, The Brothers Comatose, and Old Crow Medicine Show.
Cole says their current balance of music is 60% covers and 40% originals, and the duo prides themselves on their ability to jump into essentially any venue.
“The kind of gigs we’ve been playing, we’ve basically done everything but a funeral at this point,” says Miller.
Right now, Cole and Miller are focusing on building their performing dynamic, throwing ideas out and seeing what sticks. Experimenting with their songs, sets, and live shows, they’re excited to see how they can build themselves up as a duo.
“To me, it’s fun to see how you can create dynamics with just two people, just two bodies,” says Cole. “Both of us also play in full bands, so to come together as a duo and be able to fill sound with just ourselves is a super special thing that’s really intimate to a lot of people.”
Cole and Miller hope that the audiences that come to support them recognize and respect the homage the two pay to the music of their roots. They want their lyrics and musicality to feel as authentic as possible, believing that honesty leaves a stronger impact than perfection.
On the impact the duo hopes to leave, Cole cites a line from the song “I Wrote Mr. Tambourine Man” by John Craigie: “You gotta give yourself the shivers before you can give ‘em to someone else.”
Gus Miller and Rachel Cole will be performing at the Gold Hill Inn, located at 401 Main Street in Gold Hill, on Saturday, June 20, 2026, starting at 6 p.m. There is a $10 cash cover charge.
They will also be performing at the Jamestown Mercantile, located at 108 Main Street in Jamestown, on Thursday, June 25, 2026, starting at 7 p.m.
