Artist Interview #1: Tony Miller
mp3unsigned February 25, 2012
We kick off our first ever mp3u artist interview with one of the regulars who has been with us since the early days - Mr Tony Miller, welcome to our digital office here on the sunny interwebs.
TM: Hi Mister Raver. It’s a pleasure. I have nothing better to do on this sunny day except work for a cruel taskmaster (the wife) in the garden…
MP3U: You are one of the most well-respected and esteemed long-time members of this site. Is it OK to take a brief trip down memory lane and ask what was the first song you ever uploaded to mp3unsigned?
TM: It was a little ballad entitled ‘Ashes’.
MP3U: What kind of response did it get at the time?
TM: Dan Michaelson was the first to comment. He was supportive, as he always is, although the song was quite dreadful. Others were not so supportive. I can’t remember if that Oakwood swine commented, but if he did I’m sure it was constructive … [laughs] I’ve since rejigged it as a hip-hop song. Be afraid…
MP3U: A little bird told us you are currently enrolled in a music school, is that correct?
TM: Yes I’m 3/4 of the way through year 1 of a Commercial Music Technology degree course, in Hartford, Northwich, under the validation of Chester University.
MP3U: Sounds great. What kind of assignments do you get? Songwriting?
TM: So far, I’ve had practical exams in studio recording and sequencing using logic and protools (96% in the recording exam!). Also two track creations. One was a re-recording of my “I Don’t Have You’” and my sequencing submission was a remake of “I Am Pain”. Marks are due on Monday.
MP3U: Good luck with that - we’ll keep our collective fingers crossed! Not that you need a lucky charm - “I am Pain” is a class track. Anyway, please let us know how it goes! is there a wordy aspect to balance out the creative end of the course?
TM: Yes, we had to do a music industry research report on the state of the industry, and a group assignment organising and holding a multi-band gig. That went well, and the local club made £2500 over the bar. The group made £350 profit.
MP3U: So, as time goes on the focus shifts more towards the business end of the music industry?
TM: It’s mainly a practical course, really. The latest assignment involves songwriting but it can be pre-written songs or even other musicians’ original songs. I have chosen ‘Miami’ and ‘I Feel’ but that may change!
MP3U: Cool! Will keep an eye on those tracks. As all of our regulars know, you have been a contributing member of the mp3u community since day one, practically. You also have a songwriting brother named Gilbert Briggs? So, inquiring minds want to know: which one is a pseudonym, or is it both, or neither?
TM: Both names are pseudonyms. Brother Mike’s name comes from the father of the loud-speaker and founder of Wharfedale, Gilbert Briggs. My name is a combination of my second name and my wife’s mum’s maiden name. It was created for live use as it is snappier than my real name. And my real name is … Illge Tme’co’at.
MP3U: Hey, that’s a catchy name: might catch on! So, what music do you listen to on your discman, iThingy, whatever? Are you into any current signed musicians?
TM: Yes very much into John Mayer, The Black Keys, Amy Winehouse (bless her) and Jeff Beck.
MP3U: Do you have any idea who is currently at number 1 in the UK or US chart?
TM: If you’d asked me that a year ago I would have said no. But since starting my course and researching the industry, I’ve kept up with things. I know that last week it was that surprisingly good tune “SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW” by GOTYE. The use of Baa Baa Black sheep in the intro was inspired, and the whole structure of the song is excellent.
MP3U: Any favourite musicians on mp3unsigned? (probably the first question you have to be careful about LOL)
TM: None of em. Useless… Seriously, I’m a great admirer of KtA and GravitySlip. I’ve worked a lot with Dawn Sinclair, a superb lyricist. Good old Oakwood, I suppose I’ll have to begrudgingly admit I admire him (for his perseverance in the face of a cruel world - joking Andy, if you’re reading. If not, no I’m not!). Actually, just too many to mention. I’ve watched Erik Jurado mature into a good songwriter and musician, and hope my little bits of advice helped him along. Deggsy, Dan (not THAT Dan, I mean Texas Dan), DJC, Dysfunctional DJs - as I said - too many to name.
MP3U: What’s your personal favourite song in your own repertoire, and why?
TM: Stock answer: the last one I wrote! But seriously, I suppose Miami - the guitar version has to be up there. (Pimp: http://www.mp3unsigned.com/TonyMiller/76995/#Miami+%28New+Version%29) Why? I like the story, it’s a tight little song and it drives along nicely. Up there with it is a very old one called ‘Blood On The Sand’ mastered by that Oakwood feller, because it was my first success.
MP3U: Finally, an extremely delicate political question: which football team do you support?
TM: I have to say, nay SHOUT: “I HATE AND DETEST FOOTBALL TO THE CORE OF MY BEING”. I love snooker by the way, and I’m quite a good player myself …
MP3U: Hey, we have a table on the Death Star! Only catch is, loser gets decapitated by light saber… Wanna play?
TM: Er… I’ll get me coat…
Comments (9)
I am not mentioned enough in this interview! Also, Jeff Beck should be the first name mentioned, anywhere.
….also MANCHESTER UNITED.
I taught that miller bloke everything he knows about prog rock and this is how he treats me. Bah humbucker
HEY, THIS IS COOL!!!
Tony’s music always sounds so professional and his comments on my tunes always make my tunes sound better. This place just wouldn’t be the same without him. Excellent first interview!
Cool interview guys, very entertaining. Could do with learning a bit more about what’s in Tony’s setup though. You’re a strat man right? What else is in your chain? All digital via PODxt or some such or do you mic up an amp with rack effects and tube poweramp now that you’re studying production etc? Interested to hear what you’re go to set up is and how that’s changing (if at all) from what you have learned (if anything!) at college:-)
Good job lads,
Dave
Erik, your comment made me nervous… am I going somewhere? Nobody told me! Gilbert, arrange the following two words into the correct order … OFF . James, ditto. Dave, my recording submission for college had a recorder, harmonica, tambourine and triangle. Oh, and a USA strat, aria bass, washburn acoustic in DADGAD tuning, and fender deVille amp. My home recording setup has a PODXT and also a Fender Bullet amp for squeaky clean stuff, into a Line6 toneport, iMac and Logic Pro / Protools. College has taught me that the end result is what matters, no matter how obtained. It has also taught me the art of listening. (pardon?)
What a great idea bringing back the interviews. And a great choice in Mr. Miller (or whatever his name is). The guy is a music machine. But it never sounds manufactured. A combo of the floydian/beatolian philosophy of music it seems with a dash of tongue-in-cheekian. Good guy that Tone Man. One of my heroes on the site.
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@ Tony: Being interviewed is the first step in the process of selling out. First the interview, then later on down the road comes the sell-out - I’ve seen it happen to the best of them. Don’t sign on the dotted line… IT’S A COOK BOOK!!!! LMAO!! WHAT????