Miles Garber Has Always Wanted To Be A Swimsuit Model...and Musician

The Swimsuit Issue frontman contemplates his unlikely transition from the fashion to the music industry, and remembers all the people he’s met along the way.

Photography: Christelle De Castro

Fashion: Julian Antetomaso

Garber has a clever wit. One he uses occasionally on Instagram captions and in his band’s latest music video featuring supermodel and actress Andie MacDowell. But that just proves his originality—a air for the unconventional. The 28-year-old first made his mark in fashion, modeling for brands like Givenchy, Band of Outsiders, and DKNY. While fashion may serve as a foot-in-the-door in the business, his eyes were always set on music. “I got my first guitar when I was 12. It’s all I have ever wanted to do.” Now, he spends his days on tour as the lead vocalist of the seven-member rock band, Swimsuit Issue.

Garber’s path took a turn he never really thought was possible, until he signed Swimsuit Issue’s first publishing deal. A transition the L.A.-native describes as “if Adam and Eve didn’t eat the apple because it had worms, but they were starving.” It then seemed destined when Indie-rock singer Cat Power invited Swimsuit Issue to play at her show, after a friend sent her a demo.

Teaming up with former Trash Talk (a hardcore punk band) guitarist David Gagliardi, the two are leading Swimsuit Issue toward its first EP, set to release early next year. We can expect Garber’s smoky vocals on slow rock jams with tracks like “Look Now” and “EP3,” along with others they have been playing on tour. “It’s going to definitely have guitars,” says Garber of the band’s upcoming EP. The model-turned-musician also makes an unusual metaphor in explaining Swimsuit Issue’s sound: “If Deepak Chopra fought with Bono.”

Credits

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Miles wears suit: Zadig & Voltaire, t-shirt: his own, sneakers: Converse