Having a conversation with Akron/Family's Seth Olinsky is a lot like listening to one of their albums unfold in its entirety. It swells and builds from one vaguely connected thought to another, all the while working on a seemingly higher level of consciou
Miles Cooper Seaton, a founding member of the experimental rock band Akron/Family, has died. Dead Oceans, the label that released Akron/Familyâs final albums, confirmed the news. His cause of death is currently unknown. He was 41.
Seaton was born in California and relocated with his family to Seattle when he was young. In the early 2000s, he met Seth Olinsky, Ryan Vanderhoof, and Dana Janssen in New York City; theyâd all moved there within months of each other and ended up living together in the same apartment. Seaton moved to the city from Seattle hoping to do something as a musician.
Miles Seaton on stage at the height of Akron/Family s career. Credit: Getty/Anna Webber
Miles Seaton, a founding member of the experimental group Akron/Family, has passed away at age 41.
The band’s label, Dead Oceans, broke the news via social media earlier this week. Seaton’s cause of death is yet to be disclosed.
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
Andrew Benge/Redferns/Getty Images
UPDATE (3/2): The members of Akron/Family and Miles Seaton’s widow, Leanne Pedante, have shared a new remembrance page honoring the musician, who died last month. The page also revealed that Seaton’s cause of death was a single-car crash on I-5 near Fresno, California on February 17th; it’s still unclear what exactly was wrong with the truck Seaton was driving when the crash occurred.
In a statement, Pedante wrote, “In the days since his death, his family and friends have constantly shared the lessons that Miles left us with: to be present in the process rather than obsess over the product; to break your heart open and connect deeply with everyone you can; to see that it is never ‘either/or’ but always ‘both/and.’ The nightmarish reality that someone who so generously taught us all how to really live is now dead can’t be put into words. His family and I deeply appreciate all of the memories, reflections and kind words bein