PropertyOfZack is pleased to be posting it’s interview with John Miller! John is releasing his first solo album, Shades Of Autumn Everywhere, on Saturday, May 15th. Check out both the interview and the album!
To start things off could you introduce yourself?
Absolutely Zack,
My name is John Miller, Singer/Songwriter from Santa Cruz, CA.
You’re releasing Shades Of Autumn Everywhere on May 15th. When did the process of writing the album start?
The writing process of the album started a little more than a year ago. I had a few songs written already that seemed to be opening a deeper meaning to the audience. After seeing that connection I spent more time away from the stage to focus on a project that would become long awaited for.
Can you explain the accomplishment of putting together your first album? It must feel good approaching the release date.
Words cannot explain how good it feels to be approaching the release date, so much gets put into your first project. Anyone’s first album is often times there one and only chance to really introduce themselves to the audience and to the industry. If you don’t take it seriously you could miss your chance to be taken seriously.
With “Shades of Autumn Everywhere” I had to get a serious point across visually, musically, and emotionally. I believe I have successfully done that, but what excites me most is the reality, the truth that only the audience can be the real judge of what I’ve done.
What time period did the recording process take place over?
After the songs were written I was having a very hard time putting them all together. I decided to take a month off from the whole process to collect my thoughts, then in December of 2009 I was back in action and straight into the studio to start piecing the album together. I remained there for about two months before leaving the studio with the final master copy.
Tell us a little about what we can expect to hear on the record.
The record is simply a series of interpretations, every song representing a social issue or conflict. A humans natural reaction to a threat is to fight, or run. These emotions come up very often in the album. Being acoustic it has a very intimate vibe, which helps get those points across.
What were some of your main influences during the writing for it?
My main influence for the album came from observing the local music scene. I didn’t like watching everything die, it’s always upsetting seeing something wilt away. “Shades of Autumn Everywhere” represents this influence entirely. It’s hard for any band out there right now, the scene just isn’t the way it used to be, but I hope to contribute to the rebuilding of this industry.
What’s your favorite song on the record, what does it mean to you?
My favorite song on the record is “No Name”. Ironically the song itself is about losing one’s identity, thus “No Name” became the obvious title. So often people don’t really know what they are or why. I think it’s perfectly normal to feel this way, but the real problem I guess is that most people will feel depressed because of it. “No Name” tries to present this complication to all bands and individuals. Also I personally just really like the melodies and chord progressions.
Shades Of Autumn Everywhere is a solo album, but did you record all the instruments yourself?
On a couple of tracks I programmed a drum machine to take care of some needed percussion, but other than that all other instruments were recorded by myself.
What do you plan on doing for live shows, instrument wise?
I have a good thing going for me right now with just playing solo on my guitar, but I plan on the occasional full band performance with some help from my friends, just to make for some amazing shows after the release of the album.
You have a few shows scheduled in the month of May, looking forward to them?
I definitely am!! Got a few shows with my dear friends PK, going down to San Luis Obispo for their music video premier show, and they will be joining me for my CD release. Later on this month I will also be playing in San Jose, the first of many shows to come for that area.
How did the show with I The Mighty come together?
The CD release show was a win-win situation for everyone. PK needed a Santa Cruz date, I needed supporting bands for my release. So, I got the venue and they got I The Mighty. Definitely going to be an amazing show, I’m very excited to be playing with them.
Should we expect more shows to be announced soon? Especially with the summer coming up?
Shows will soon be happening on a very regular basis. Every major area of California will be booked once a month to keep the audience growing and the music spreading. I’m not in the position to be touring quite yet, but this will definitely keep me very busy and on the road for a while.
By the end of the summer is there anything is particular that you’d like to accomplish in regards to the release and touring?
My goal by the end of summer is to be able to draw a crowd in nearly any area of California. With that amount of promotion accomplished it’s only a matter of time until surrounding states catch on to the music, making touring even more possible and successful.
Thanks so much for your time, is there anything else you’d like to add?
All I have left to say is for anyone and everyone reading. Check out my songs online, if you like them get them, and share it with your friends. It’s more important to me to get it out there than to turn a profit. The scene in so many areas is falling apart, we need to get out there and make a bold statement with music again. This is our scene, let’s rebuild it.
