Deer Scout signs to Carpark Records, shares new single from forthcoming debut LP

Fans of soft indie-rock rejoice: new music from Philly-adjacent Deer Scout is due out via Carpark Records on April 8th. Songwriter Dena Miller, a New York native with ties to the Philadelphia rock community, is releasing her debut LP Woodpecker six years after sharing her first singles on Bandcamp and cassette. In the time elapsed, Miller has crafted and owned her delicate sound with sweet vocals and jumping finger-picked guitar. 

Woodpecker’s first single “Cowboy” premieres today with an endearing video of a sea-side carnival. The video’s narrative follows an older gentleman enjoying the attractions with child-like wonderment. “If everyone is playing, you gotta play the game” Deer Scout resigns in the lyrics for “Cowboy.” But in the end, “the player is bound to get played.” The song is groundingly bitter-sweet, with shining moments of poetic optimism. 

Watch below for the whole video. And see Deer Scout live at PhilaMOCA for their album release show on April 10th. Tickets and information are available at the XPN Concert Calendar. For more, read Jane Lai’s 2021 interview with Miller about Deer Scout’s time in Philly and beyond here.