Rob Miller

Come for the insightful answers to probing questions about my tastes in obscure music, running a label, and my new book (link in bio). Stay for my heretical opinions on Chicago style pizza.
#booksky📚 #insurgentcountry #musicbooks @illinoispress.bsky.social #indielabels #chicagomusichistory

Book Review: Jonathan Bernstein “What Do You Do When You’re Lonesome” The Authorised Biography of Justin Townes Earle There is no happy ending to this book. There is scarcely a happy beginning; however, along the journey, Justin Townes Earle’s personality shines through. The effect he had on the people he met and worked with is sometimes profound, at other times magical. Nicknamed “The Prince of Darkness” by one of Steve Earle’s touring crew, and labelled a genius by others.

Book Review: Jonathan Bernstein “What Do You Do When You’re Lonesome” The Authorised Biography of Justin Townes Earle
@justintownesearle
@steveearle

Something I preached for years to our fans when I owned an indie label.
Don't be party to killing something you love merely for the convenience.
Do not take artists or their art for granted. Without meaningful support, they will disappear.

Qobuz - Unlimited high quality streaming (United States) More than 100 million tracks available for unlimited streaming in high sound quality. Qobuz is also the worldwide leader in 24-Bit Hi-Res downloads.

I took @bcmerchant.bsky.social's advice and have been trying Qobuz, which pays artists the most and feels like a streaming service for adults. Tasteful presentation, good editorial features, a focus on audio quality, transparent AI policies, & a free trial of Soundiiz to transfer your Spotify stuff.

Spotify starves artists to pay this fuckin clown millions. It can feel daunting to leave if you've lived in it for years, but streaming music is a utility now, it's easier than you think to swap providers (and bring your playlists/library with you). Here's a good guide from @bcmerchant.bsky.social:

The folks in the design (and publicity) department at @illinoispress.bsky.social have been busy.
Order from them and get a nice little discount using the promo code below. Or, as always, support indie stores!

#robmillerwriting #booksky📚 #author #musicbooks #altcountry #chicagomusichistory

This is a very very very obvious point to make but shops and movie rental places and record stores are all more fun than buying things online

Just got done with a radio interview on a station in N. Carolina for my book "The Hours Are Long But The Pay Is Low" @illinoispress.bsky.social & the host said my writer's voice reminded him of a cross between Holden Caulfield & Charles Bukowski. I am humbled & horrified.
#booksky📚

Would have been a cool space, got to tour it a few years ago, but I have no idea how it would have worked out these days with how hard venues are being hit.

My decision to cancel my subscription after the hiring of David Brooks keeps feeling better and better.

What, and I ask this in all seriousness, are the other 70% looking at and deeming "not erratic?"

Tough to argue with HL on many matters.

When archeologists unseal this room 3000 years from now, they will be able to precisely date it using only the evidence of the macrame plant hanger.

A picture of an All Area Access Backstage Pass for The Cramps, alongside text pertaining to my encounter with them, from my book "The Hours Are Long But The Pay Is Low"

A bright orange flyer from my Rockabilly radio show on WCBN-FM Radio Free Ann Arbor where I hype a Cramps-themed show. Very cut and paste, displaying no design skills on my part whatsoever

A brown flyer with black text for a Cramps show at Clutch Cargo's in Detroit.

Happy Belated Birthday to the #cramps Poison Ivy.
I was laid up all weekend with a bad case of Olympic Fever (biathlon and short track, if you must know)
One of THE bands that informed so much of my music outlook and what I looked for when running my label.
#punkflyers #psychobilly #booksky📚

It blows my mind how unhappy simple joy makes them.
What a grim existence. I mean, a life where joy is scorned is...what's the word?...oh, right, JOYLESS.
I'm genuinely curious how so many got that way, and what's the way out?

I've done a few already (City Lit, Book Cellar, Oak Park, Evanston) and have 1 coming up in April at the Old Town School (tho that is a ticketed event and with another author).
More will come...!

Brilliant.

In total agreement.
The Spaceman cameo was pure joy and art..

Got to see their last game together at Tiger Stadium.

I first heard it via the MC5.
It's a pretty straight forward version, and didn't have more than a hint of the anarchic "MC5-ness" to come.

I love flipping over something I didn't even know existed, or COULD exist. I thought this was an un-coverable song---when Reeves' hits that "to go" in the lower register, it's like a rumble in the earth...something elemental to it.
But this...is awesome. A totally different take.
Thanks.

No, it is not.
What are you going to do about it?
Another letter? Or just tell us what we already know.

Am I the only one who is put off by the term "hand pie"?

I like my hands, and I am a fiend for pie, but putting those 2 words together gives me---and pardon the technical term---the willies.

Is there a limit on how many times I can ❤️ this?
Go Tigers.

I assume Lou Whitaker is coming up shortly...

Pig-Pen conspicuously absent from this product line.

Put me down for a sawbuck.

"AC/DC for Ukulele"

"Still punk as fuck" he whispered, reaching for his four string

Cover of my 3 Fields Book "The Hours Are Long But The Pay Is Low."

Publicist at @illinoispress.bsky.social passed along this comment from a regional sales rep, and, well, the Chicago sleet doesn't feel as cold today: “Makes me sad how much I wasn't paying attention when I lived in Chicago. There's a nugget to make me laugh and cry on almost every page!”
#booksky📚

Cancelling my Atlantic subscription after the hiring of David Brooks is feeling better and better.