Diggin Into the Dirty Earth to Expose the Roots of Nathan Miller

I wandered into Glueck’s, in Minneapolis, at the dark cold end of last year where I was refreshed to find Nathan Miller kicking out some fine music. A musical wind from yesterday sitting right and proper in today’s world. The ‘roots’ music that he plays has a real groove that will get your boots stomping as well as a slower simple verse that leaves no room for misunderstanding.

Desda
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Why are you drawn to playing the ‘roots’ style music?

There is a certain organic dirty essence to roots music that I am drawn to it’s a sort of primal scream that comes from the roots of music. I don’t feel that personal connection in electronic music or techno music. Nothing against people that get into that, and I know people who are really into it, however that electronic thump thump never ever shook me in the same way as Son House’s foot pounding on the floor does, did, or ever will. That is electric. And like that boot there is something real to it. That is roots music. I also find an ingenuity to roots music. Many of the old cats, who would later become the greatest blues guitar players, started out with a piece of broom wire (the part that ties the straw to the stick) nailed to the floor and strung up to the door and made music by using a bottle to produce the notes. Are you kidding me? Its that type of soulfulness and raw genius that draws me to the roots of music. “I cannot afford a guitar… well I’ll make something that’s the closest thing to it.” They couldn’t afford sheet music, nor could most of them read it…so they made their own music. And its roots because at the base of their music was an unwavering belief that what they were doing sounded right to them. Bam! Folk music, americana, blues, soul, jazz, hip hop, came as an answer to not being able to be elite, to making due with what they had, not what they could afford. I root for the underdog because in a lot of ways I feel like the underdog myself. And most the time in my experience its that hungry dog that has the most heart. Roots music has always had that heart to it, that vibrant defiant muscle that knows nothing but to beat. Since I cannot not be drawn to that feeling is why I play the music that I do.

Lightning and Love
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I thought the live show had more energy than the CD would you agree?

I hope so. Its always nice to hear that. But in a sense it takes away from the CD. I guess that isn’t a bad thing though. Its a very tough balancing act…to put out a great CD and put on a good show, because I want you to be impressed by both. There is an immediacy to performing live that isn’t like anything in life. It takes me to the heart of my emotion faster than any other substance. If you’ve ever been in love its kinda like it, just this part of you that constantly wants to express how real that other person makes you feel. That’s what music does to me and playing live is my chance to show an audience and to make them involved in my emotion. If they feel it…if one person feels it…I think I’ve done a pretty good job. And if you don’t feel it, oh well, it just means we were never meant to connect on that level. I’m just glad I can play in front of people on a constant basis, its super cathartic for me. I also have begun applying that live feeling to the next record, and in recording nowadays in general. I’ll only let myself take 2 to 4 takes of a song. If I’m not happy with it, its saved for another time. I’ve heard stories about guys in the studio where the producer or engineer take off for days leaving the artist in the studio to come back days -DAYS- later to find the artist working on the same piece of song. By that time, I feel, the emotional connection that’s trying to be conveyed is gone…that’s not me at all. I guess it gets back to that roots philosophy where its the moment that means the most, not the perfection. I used to get into a great argument with my buddy Dan about this. There’s something very cold and sterile about perfection to me, its the inaccuracies that really make someone who they are…the flaws. Listen to Otis Redding sing those beautiful drawn out notes, pure heartstring tugging, then realize he starts that note off flat and slides into key…it melts me all the time. Those mistakes are beautiful. Every artist who has an original voice has those ticks that make them who they are. Many of the generations greatest musical entities have those flaws. I could start the list but you already know whose on the list and their flaws because they are defined by them so I wont even bother. Getting back on point I try to make the best music I can in the studio and try to perform the best I can live. If you feel more of a connection with the live show that’s awesome, because it always sucks to be excited to see someone whose CD you love and then realize within a song or two they are horrible live. I want you excited to have my music, more excited than that to see me live, and then leave the concert unable to wait to see the show again. There is no greater feeling in the world than leaving a great show and looking at the world in a different way when you step back into it. Great live music makes you forget everything that is bad. Its one of the strongest tools I know of.

You had different musicians sit in with you and play some songs at your live show, are you sort of auditioning musicians?

No not really auditioning anybody. I have a very talented and diverse group of friends and fans. If I know my buddy is good at bass, drums, harmonica, tap dancing, singing, whatever, I like to celebrate their talents as well. I’m super proud of who i surround myself with and blessed they want me in their presence as well. Get up on stage with me, share your wealth of talent, give it to the audience with me. That stuff always puts a smile on my face. If an idea is sparked where I use their talents on a CD it happens, but I’m not looking for it. I’m just happy to be playing music and even more happy that I have friends willing to share the stage, and their talents and to bring something special to the mix.

What is ‘roots’ music to you?

Roots music is pure heart and soul. Plain and simple. Real recognizes real…if you find it you’ve found roots music. The root of something is the base, whats stronger than that? Roots music is intimate and yours. It’s fresh pain letting you know its real and making you feel alive.

Nathan Miller plays every tuesday at Glueck’s in Minneapolis.

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