Trading Questions With Emile Millar

f you didn’t get a chance to meet Emile Millar the first time around on his album Stay Here, then the next go-around should give you the opp. His music has been featured from movies (Waitress) to television (placement on MTV and NBC) and the last album featured some of L.A.’s best players. But now Millar has moved to Austin and here he tells us why, what to expect on the next album and what he’s keen on lately.s

I’d love to actually start with the move to Austin � was that a career move? Is the scene there good for your music?

Emile Millar: It was a career move in a way but was mostly a ripcord out of LA. That place got the best and worst of me. I figured since the coast was 10 miles away and I never saw the ocean, who the fuck cares how deep you are … Texas style. In reality I miss the ocean, I grew up on the Pacific and surfing was like a spouse.

What’s happening for you now? Are you recording the follow-up to Stay Here?

Millar: I am recording a new record. A long over-due second record (I say with a grin), however the gaggle of producing work, house lounging, lake fishing, and race-car driving I find it hard to focus. Just kidding about the house lounging…

Were you surprised by the critical acclaim to Stay Here?

Millar: I was surprised and happy. It was a 4 star sometimes 5 star sometimes 2 star record that will always exist in fan’s heads. It exists in mine and I’m not even a fan.

The album was totally stunning in so many ways and the reviews I found were equally impressed and yet it seems like it remained under the radar. Is that frustrating at all?

Millar: Under the radar is a good thing. I appreciate tons of fans and media excitement like the next bro but I really dig me and that’s what I deserve. My responsibilities are paying the mortgage and making music, if my music can pay the mortgage � that was a good month.

I guess that brings up the idea of expectations in general � what sort of expectations do you hold out for yourself? Are you able to let that go? Is there a tension?

Millar: It’s impossible to put art and expectations in the same sentence. Art lives on its own private plane and flies from heart to heart, soul to soul. Expectations cause tension indeed, but my positive/cynical outlook usually keeps me in check. In other words, I am the most frustrated-happy-mother-fucker on the planet.

By the way, what made you cover “No One Is To Blame”? And how did the placement on Waitress occur?

Millar: Hmm … To be completely fucking honest, I was really into that Donnie Darko cover of “Mad World” by that hack [Gary Jules] Anyway, I thought I should belittle some fabulous song from the 80’s like that guy and make a mint. Turns out everyone else made a mint but me, but that’s the script.

On the production side of things, how much of that have you been doing lately? Keen on any new acts we should learn about?

Millar: Keen? Well that’s a cool band indeed.

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