Karl Miller — 25 October 2023 on Rocket Shop Radio Hour
Monochrome photo by Ross Mickel
Karl Miller joined host Tom Proctor on ‘Rocket Shop,’ Big Heavy World’s weekly local Vermont music radio hour on 105.9 FM The Radiator. Catch up with them at https://www.instagram.com/karlsternsmiller/.
Text by Keagan Lafferty
Weekend mornings in downtown Burlington are prime for exploring relaxing instrumental music played at cafes, and nothing creates a better atmosphere than tunes by Karl Miller, with the company of his dog and best buddy whom he calls the “gigging pup.”
Karl Miller is from Rutland, Vermont, playing original instrumental guitar medleys that flow together to design a sound that authentically displays Miller’s calm energy. His unique style entails a legato, glissando fingerstyle technique of guitar with no breaks and no lyrics; the lack of lyrics allows the meanings of his songs to be up for interpretation. He adds subtle motifs between songs to signify transitions, but likes to keep the flow constant and moving as he plays. This is inspired by Miles Davis, who employed a similar technique.
Miller’s first tune, “Song For My Mother,” was calm with melancholy and emotional dynamics. With no lyrics, it was an experimental guitar song that Miller wrote about his mother; she was ill for many years and passed away when Miller was fifteen years old. He was the youngest of four boys, and her passing took a toll on his mental health, causing severe anxiety attacks in high school. He started keeping a journal after her loss, and has done so ever since to help him process emotions. “It stays with you forever and ever and ever,” said Miller. “And, you know, unfortunately, our minds will go back to the dark moments.”
Miller doesn’t read music and only plays by ear; “the nice thing about improv,” said Miller, “the magic is you will discover things that work.” While his writing is limited because he doesn’t read music, he loves the idea of freedom in music. “It's the freedom of not having any real restraint,” said Miller. “It ties into me and my personality and the way I am right now at this stage in my life.”
Most of the music he played at Rocket Shop was what he called “COVID music.” During the pandemic, Miller went to Oakledge Park in Burlington to practice acoustic guitar, and he wrote a medley which he plays often in his live shows. “Like everyone else, we were all holding onto something hoping for the best,” said Miller. “And that's what I did. And it was wonderful.”
Miller began his musical journey relatively late as an adult; “I did start late and I kick myself all the time,” said Miller. He began on tenor saxophone and jazz drums before dedicating himself to guitar in his 30s. His saxophone experience influences his guitar style; he plays guitar vertically rather than across the fretboard, with single notes and no chords. He likes to focus on the tone of the notes, similar to the way a saxophone player does.
Miller never took music lessons, but he spent lots of time teaching kids at high schools and middle schools in Montpelier. There, he oversaw student jam bands and taught through experimentation. He brought in all his own instruments for the kids to use, and had no rules besides respect.
Though Miller has played in several bands, he loves the freedom that comes with solo work; “I went back to playing solo guitar playing what I want, when I want, where I want, and I do enjoy it immensely. But I do miss being in a band. I do miss the people. We had some great times.”
Miller began playing solo at a church service gig on Sunday mornings, bringing him to many performance opportunities throughout Rutland. He prefers to play during mornings and daytime because he doesn’t like the nightlife culture.
Miller currently plays six gigs a week at cafes and nursing homes. He likes playing for older people because they often struggle with memory diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia, so when he plays songs familiar to them it increases their morale and gives them comfort. “It’s absolutely phenomenal because of the fact that the people in the nursing home have to try to remember the tunes,” said Miller. He had also played at nursing homes when he played drums in a jazz band in Montpelier, giving a similar effect. “I did jogging of the memory,” said Miller, “and people would be crying because it's so emotional.”
Miller also plays at various cafes where students study, so he has to be aware of his volume at these gigs; “I don't want to be obnoxious,” said Miller. “I want to be in the background, and helping them”
Miller also plays for free; “what brings me the most pleasure is when people enjoy it,” said Miller. “I don't put out a tip jar. Because I just want to play and have people enjoy it. That's all.”
He is also known for having no setlist, playing songs based on his mood of the moment. This was inspired by Carlos Santana; “with him in his band, he will call a tune and you better know it.” Miller said that playing with no setlist can be wonderful or a disaster, and while sometimes he wishes he used setlists, “it would take away some of the so-called magic of the moment.”
Miller’s next song, an untitled one referred to on this show at “Song #2,” has a slow and captivating intro, building up into complex dynamics. It’s an ever-changing song that takes the listener on a sonic journey through time and space. Miller admits that he is not great at titling or promoting songs, leaving many of them with no names.
His third song, cleverly titled “Song #3,” was played on a twelve string electric guitar. It begins with a mysterious and wonderfully chaotic intro before evolving into a captivating tempo. It emphasizes harmonies and catchy melodies that are extremely soothing.
Miller has an extensive collection of instruments at home, including an incredible variety of guitars. He likes twelve strings because it fits his style well, and when he chooses which guitars to play for gigs, it turns into an extensive experimental process based on thickness, shape, width, and other factors of the guitar. “This is one of my little philosophies,” said Miller. “I should pick up any guitar of my collection at any time. Being able to play it well, anywhere. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way.” He used to have a different guitar for every gig, and now chooses a new one each week. He brings multiple guitars to longer sets “for variety and for stimulating my own imagination,” said Miller.
He doesn’t use pedals besides one for reverb; “I don't like pedals,” said Miller. “I like simplicity. I like a small footprint.” He used to be into experimental amps and pedals, playing with distortion in rock music, but his style has shifted over the years to a more soothing, melodic, and simple setup.
Miller’s last song on the show, appropriately called “Song #4,” begins with a lower tonic to create an ambience, before bringing in higher notes to create a calm shift in energy. The upper tonics make for a pleasing melody over the low notes, producing a full and comprehensive sound.
Miller prefers not to record his music, but has a few older home recordings on cassette tape. As his show on Rocket Shop came to an end, he emphasized that he believes in playing music for the moment. “I really enjoy just playing,” said Miller, “and having the music go out into the atmosphere and float away to keep company with all the other millions, trillions of musical notes that are floating around in the atmosphere.”
Karl Miller on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karl_s_miller