We recently connected with Allen Miller and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Allen, thanks for joining us today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?
The first time I made money for my music was my first live performance, this past March at Madame Siam in Hollywood. I was a surreal feeling because it was a payoff that was years in the making. I was feeling the love the whole time during the performance. I felt, and continue to feel, so lucky to have a community of friends who support my art and make me feel safe to sing vulnerable songs for them. I have another show coming up on Sunday, June 25th at Adults Only in Hollywood, and I’m optimistic that the show will be even better than the last!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’ve been a self-proclaimed writer for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been enchanted with storytelling, in many forms. But songwriting is the one way I was able to combine my love for music with my need to write. I’ve been quietly working at my craft since I was 16 years old, and at this point, I know myself as a writer and as an artist. I know my strengths, my weaknesses, my instincts, and my inspirations. Everyone who finds success in music has a special sauce that sets them apart from the pack. For me, it’s lyrical storytelling. I am gifted at weaving intricate stories and pairing them with catchy melodies. Every word is intentional. I haven’t had my breakthrough moment on social media yet, so I’m in the phase of building my audience. If you’d like to check out my music, I’m on all streaming services as Allen Miller. You can also follow me on Instagram @allenmillermusic.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
I believe there would be a lot more gifted artists and creatives who would pursue their dreams all out if the issue of healthcare was eliminated. I know it’s the main reason that I need to have a full time job with benefits. In music specifically, I’d love it if there were more accessible grants given to artists with an album or EP concept who are struggling to make it work financially. Most people don’t realize how much of you are expected to financially invest if you want to make good music, work with talented producers, and ensure that people hear what you put out.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to release expectations of a clean timeline for my success markers. I’m 27, and while I’m not paying the bills doing what I love yet, I am writing and releasing really great work, and performing it live. The process has been slow because for me, everything is self-funded, but the past few years of me discovering who I am as a musician and as a songwriter have proven to be incredibly rewarding. I’m done letting people tell me I’m getting too old to be successful. This is the journey I’m supposed to be on, and there’s a lot of freedom in believing that.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @allenmillermusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100058825304418
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allen-r-miller-iv/
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2OyWOTUGwNFu5Ad8kKP2Pj?si=P5OiIoFeRlqHYbgcA00ZSA Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/allen-miller/1541314548