Jason Charles Miller – In the Wasteland

By starrymag | July 3, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) It’s difficult to describe it myself so I’ll give you two recent examples: A drunk concert goer said I was like a cross between Zakk Wylde and Chris Stapleton (although I have neither of their chops) and a friend described my new album as the child of Queensryche and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I’m kind of all over the map. My two favorite bands are probably Fleetwood Mac and the Cure, if that gives you any idea. I love the classic 70s sounds of Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers and ZZ Top; bands who took that sound to another level later like the Black Crowes were fantastic. Paul Rogers of Free/Bad Company has the best voice in rock and roll.  I’m also obsessed with the “Mark 3” version of Deep Purple (check out the albums Burn and Stormbringer).  The songwriting of Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson still hit me to the core.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Hundred Pound Hammer.”

 

A) It’s a song about betrayal and the different choices we make to react to that betrayal. We can take the path of least resistance and go to a really dark place or try and rise above.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) I think at some point, even if we’ve never been cheated on, we’ve ALL faced betrayal at one point or another and that’s a feeling deep down in the pit of your stomach that is like nothing else.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) I think it has some literal and abstract visions of that, although we’re still working on it at the moment.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) Usually they come at the same time, but I tend to let the music guide me. If I come up with a riff or a progression, it will often set the mood of where the song goes and that tends to inspire me. Other times, I may have a song title, a line or a phrase and I’ll try to write the music to that.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) Quite a bit. I’m credited as co-producer on this album and I like to have a hand at least of shaping the sound.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Jason Charles Miller performance?

 

A) You’re always going to get your all from me!

 

Q) What songs off your In the Wasteland album are you looking forward to performing live?

 

A) Pretty much ALL of them! I’ve played quite a few of them already live before we recorded them…workshopping them so to speak. So, chances are if it’s on the album, I’ve already played it in front of a live audience.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new album as a whole?

 

A) I hope that the album kicks them in the ass! I’ve tried to be as honest as possible with the different musical styles and lyrical subjects on this album and I hope that translates into a new and exciting experience for long time fans of my music as well as brand new listeners.

 

Q) How did you celebrate when the album came out on June 15?

 

A) Well I was in New York playing at the offices of the record label and then appearing at a convention in Brooklyn called BoroughCon, but on June 19^th I had a big ‘ol party at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood!

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) Any place with a history is always fascinating to me. The Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood where the Doors were discovered and where Motely Crue used to live above. The 930 Club in Washington, D.C. because it was always considered the pinnacle of success to play there and I grew up near it in Virginia. The Fox Theatre in Atlanta.  My great grandfather designed it and I’ve never played it, so that’s a goal for sure!

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) Jamey Johnson. I love his writing style and voice.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) Blackberry Smoke is my favorite “current” band and I had the good fortune of getting Charlie [Starr] to sing on my new album, which is really exciting to me! Their new album Find a Light is fantastic. Also, the new Jonny Lang record Signs as well as Ashley McBryde’s album Girl Going Nowhere.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) It’s instant, it’s personal. I think it’s great. It enables us to interact and get a barometer of what people are thinking.  I can throw up a clip of me playing and get instant feedback or talk about any variety of subjects with people.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Thanks for being patient and sticking with me! While this album took a while to come out, I hope it’s worth the wait!