Smilo & the Ghost is an Americana-grit folk band born from the rustbelt and rooted in redemption. Front-ed by singer-songwriter Tyler Smilo, the band blends raw lyricism with vintage tones, cinematic storytell-ing, and a touch of cosmic twang. Their sound drifts somewhere between dusty desert highways and dimly lit city bars — a fusion of folk, alt-country, and soul with deep emotional bite.

Formed in Erie, PA in 2016, Smilo & the Ghost have shared stages with Grammy winners, national acts, and underground legends alike. Their discography includes Ghost Writers, Fingers Crossed & Godspeed, and the live album Live from PACA, with their newest record Twang & Fire capturing both fire and fragili-ty in a post-pandemic world. Smilo’s lyrics are deeply personal, often exploring recovery, survival, and the ghosts we carry — because he's lived it.