Interview with Tor Miller from NYC

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[su_quote]We made friends with a guy named ‘Lunchbox’ who proceeded to buy our drinks and show us how people in Pueblo like to party… miss him. [/su_quote]

Interview with Tor Miller

What inspires your songwriting?

Tor: I find inspiration in many places. My relationships with friends and lovers being the most touched upon in my lyrics. I take in a lot of influence from my surroundings in New York City. There are so many dynamics between the places and people, which I find so interesting, and incorporate that in my music.

How did it feel working on your debut album?

Tor: It was a dream come true! I was living in London for the two months we

recorded the record. I would take the bus from Notting Hill to Kensal Rise every

morning to the studio around 9am and we would work until 1 or 2 in the morning. It was incredible to try so many different things while in the studio and to make these piano-vocal Voice Memos and transform them into these lush arrangements, with strings, horns and an entire rhythm section. It was magical really.

Of the tracks in the album, which one currently speaks to you the most?

Tor: Baby Blue. It is a song about someone who is trying to discover themselves in

their new surroundings. It’s something I have felt recently as I navigate my way to making my next record and surviving another obscure year away from the institutions I had known my entire life.

[su_quote cite=”About a memorable experience”]Playing at Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC opening for James Bay was definitely a highlight… [/su_quote]

How was it working with Fern Berresford in your last music video?

Tor: Fern was incredible to work with! She is extremely creative and had a strong vision for what the video should be. She was adaptable to bumps in the process and was a great leader.

Do you get starstruck anytime you get to the meet the fellow members of Glassnote Records? (You are all a very talented bunch of musicians)

Tor: I get a kick out of meeting the other artists! In reality I’m not drooling over them because of who they are. In reality, they are all extremely down to earth and fun to talk to. I feel proud to be looped in with them all.

Most memorable experience in your music career so far?

Tor: Playing at Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC opening for James Bay was definitely a highlight. Being from New York I have played many of its venues, but this was by far the largest I have yet to play. I was playing a solo piano set and walked out on stage alone to be greeted by a crowd of 3000 who cheered for me, thinking it was James. haha, so that was pretty amazing

Any fun tour stories?

Tor: There have been a lot! Some better left unsaid. But the band and I were on our second US tour of the past year and were stopped in a small town in Pueblo, Colorado. Sean McVerry (my guitarist/Opening act) and I were bored and decided to leave the hotel and stop in the nearest Dive we could find. The bar was verrrrryyy run down. The patrons were very intimidating and the two of us stuck out dramatically. We sit down to order, the bartender, equipped with a fresh black n blue eye, served us our “Green and Blue Shit” shots. Turns out there was a karaoke competition going on, which surprised us. So we joined. After we both had performed we became very popular. We made friends with a guy named ‘Lunchbox’ who proceeded to buy our drinks and show us how people in Pueblo like to party… miss him

As a New Yorker, do you think the city is part of your inspiration, motivation and drive?

Tor: Completely! There is an energy that surges through the streets and it’s people. Everyone is rushing to get something done and to stake their claim in this world. Music is a very competitive business and you need to push yourself to distinguish yourself from the rest. What I have learned from growing up in NYC is to never be passive and if you want something, you go out and grab it.