We were lucky to catch up with Charlsey Miller recently and have shared our conversation below.

Charlsey, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

For me, the most meaningful projects have ended up being the ones I get to do with my friends. The people who really speak my language, creatively. No matter how big or small, when you’re working on something with the folks who see the same finish line as you do, it just feels special. I remember the first meaningful project I ever did was over a decade ago I when started my music career as a comedy songwriter, and musical director in Chicago. My best friend, Liz Taylor, and I had scored our own slot for a show at Second City, about the ridiculous power of female friendships. It was full of wacky songs, matching outfits, and bubbles. The whole project really showed me how important it is to keep joy as a priority in the art I make.

Since then, I’ve tried my hardest to make all my projects meaningful ones, by sticking close to the people I find who speak that language. Right now, I’m working with my favorite musicians once again, producer Kazuri Arai and guitarist Martin Carlsson, to create a new EP that we’re releasing next year. Though we connected professionally initially, they’ve become treasured buds of mine, and that makes every project we make together all the more meaningful. We really know how to row the same boat together. And boy am I excited to share this new EP with everybody!

Charlsey, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m the neighborhood songwriter! Of course, I sing them too, and have records you can find on Spotify and whatnot (and another coming out next year! Follow me on Instagram for sneak peaks!). While I love writing for myself, I really enjoy writing songs for stage, screen, and even for people as personalized gifts! Recently, I’ve been writing songs with kids in my Music for Storytelling program (through my company Milestone Music), and it’s been so fun! The next public workshop is 2pm on June 1st at the Central Library in DTLA- come make some music with me!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I think a lot of artists end up having to unlearn the habit of trying to anticipate what your audience wants. As a songwriter, when I was first starting out, I’d listen to the radio and hear the trends and think, “Oh, that’s the kind of stuff I should be writing right now. That’s what people are liking”. Then I’d write kind of a derivative song, and it wouldn’t make me happy. Instead, I honestly drive around with no radio, and think, “what kind of music do I want to hear right here right now?” and I’d write something from my own personal taste, and it’s infinitely more rewarding! Then to top it all of, my audience responds *better* to the music I make from my point of view, because it’s something fresh, and something they haven’t already been listening to for weeks. It’s really a win-win!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Honestly, as just a song lover, I feel like music lets us relate to each other, understand our own feelings, and get us through life. There have been many times when I’ve wanted to say something to somebody, but I didn’t have the words; so I’d play them a song I knew that could say it for me. Or if I was going through a tough time, I could hear a song on the radio late at night and it would have just the right stuff to make me feel a little bit better. If my songs can be a tool for anybody, emotionally, even just for a minute, boy oh boy then I have reached my goal. I process the whole world through music, and if I can help somebody process a piece of it, then I made a worthwhile song.

Contact Info:

• Website: charlseymiller.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/charlseymillermusic
• Facebook: facebook.com/charlseymillermusic
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/charlseymillermusic
• Youtube: youtube.com/charlseysvideos
• Other: milestonemusic.com