We were lucky to catch up with Miles Jena recently and have shared our conversation below.

Miles, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

This project started 10 years ago with my best friend. A decade ago, a strange kid threw a beach ball at my face as I entered youth group one night. Never had I met this kid in my life. Soon to find out, his name was Adam. As I continued to come to youth group each week, this kid and I started to find things in common. We would play basketball, wiffle ball, and laser tag together in our free time during youth group. He soon became my friend. A few months later our youth group decided to start a band to play Sunday mornings. We had a handful of us join, and sure enough Adam did too. He played bass and I was a singer. We played songs written by groups like Switchfoot, Needtobreathe, Tenth Avenue North, and Mumford and Sons. As the relationship built, he became my best friend during these times. We soaked in the musical influences of these artist we would play within the youth band. Fast forward a few years later and we decided to take a try at music. We decided to start as a folk acoustic duo. We recorded a three song EP, played for youth groups, bars, and other venues. A few years into that scene we realized we needed to take things seriously if we were going to make it anywhere within music. And if we were going to play music, we wanted it to be meaningful. We wanted it to make an impact on someones life. And to let them know they’re not alone in life’s questions. I called up my high-school friend, Jill and asked her to play keys and sing within this group I was forming. She then called Derek, which led to getting Patrick in the band. Fast forward two years to the current day. Adam and I’s goal has never wavered since day one, to make meaningful music for meaningful people. We always try to express true meaning within our songs and lyrics. This project is the most meaningful project I have ever worked on.

Miles, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Adam and I got into this industry through our youth group. I attended Ball State University and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Audio Engineering. The industry that we are in is music. The five of us within the group are a pop/alternative band based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. At the end of the day, we are most proud of the music we release to the world.

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The particular goal or mission driving our creative journey is to make long lasting, meaningful music. Music that does not fade over time. Write music and lyrics from the heart, that will resonate with another human being. And finally to make the world a better place.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Non-creatives may struggle with an understanding why we choose music rather than a comfy, reliable desk job. It is because everyone has a gift, and the world needs it. Someone may need the words they are hearing that day. People need hope, a voice, and at the end of the day love.

Contact Info:

• Website: thewonderlandsband.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewonderlandsband/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewonderlandsband/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/wonderlandsband?lang=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3-SvEibExdVkymCpg7MGmA

Image Credits
Kaila Cassidy, Mark Chenoweth, Andy McGinnis