Sean Miller DJ Eye Magazine

Like so many of the DJ's that wield and perform our cherished sounds, Sean Miller was introduced to rhythms and music at an early age. It can be said that his musical career began at 6-years of age, when he started playing drums. Somewhere in the neighborhood of ten to fifteen years later, his interests took a shift into the world of electronic sound, largely attributed to an encounter with international DJ/Producer Sasha [www.sasha.co.uk] in the mid-nineteen-nineties. Sasha was the first to ignite this spark in him, reflective now in Miller's varied and diverse taste in musical genres.The flawless mixing and programming skills Miller is now widely known for, were firmly planted when he was asked to open For Deep Dish [www.DeepDish.com] in November of '02 and Sasha in May,  2003, at the renowned "Big DJ, Small Club" events here in Toronto. Over the last few years, performances such as these have greatly assisted in solidifying Miller's recognition as one of Toronto's inspirational and talented up-and-coming artists.Recently the recipient of EYE Magazine's "Up and Coming DJ of the Year Award" for 2004, Miller's most recent ventures include his Saturday Night Residency at Toronto's premier after-hours club, BOA. Widely recognized as a dance club with one of the world's best sound systems, BOA currently plays host to some of the world's hottest DJ/Producers, including Danny Tenaglia, Sander Kleinenberg, Sandy Rivera, Tim Deluxe and Jacob London [www.Boa-Redux.com]. 

Perhaps more impressive and exciting for some, is the signing of Miller to Chus and Ceballos' Stereo Productions imprint in Spain (www.stereo-productions.com), and Steve Lawler's Harlem Records in England (www.harlemrecords.co.uk). Sean has taken his passion and continually evolving sound across Canada, into the United States, Mexico and Europe. These days however, it is rare for Sean to spend much time away from his studio. Often asked how to interpret his creative resonance, he describes it as "sexy and intelligent house music". Constantly thriving to propel his music in new directions with a progressive mind and a passion to succeed, Sean Miller is bound to excel in the industry for which he's seemed, since childhood, to be destined.We wanted to probe further, so we asked Sean Miller a series of music-related, and unrelated questions.

KL: Can you recall a defining moment when you knew you'd like to be a career musician?

SM: I guess that decision was made by my parents when I was around 2 or 3 years old. My father was a bass player in a band, and once I was born he started playing around with the drums. On the weekends he would usually rent a drum kit and play to George Benson and I remember it like it was yesterday. I would sit down beside him with my mom's best set of pots and pans and bang away along side of him. Once they saw I had some rhythm they enrolled me in the royal conservatory of music and the rest is history.  

KL: Are there musicians in your family? 

SM: My father and his oldest brother, but my father no longer plays. He has always been super supportive and he understands the music bug.

KL: How long have you been able to focus on making music as a sole occupation? 

SM: The last 9 years have been full on with the DJ'ing, but in the last three I've branched off into production.

KL: What are your most recent releases? 

SM:I have three new releases coming soon……Chus & Ceballos vs. Ted Patterson "in stereo" (Sean Miller remix) Stereo Productions. Sean Miller "Swells" Stereo productions. Julio Torres "biruta" (Sean Miller remix) Harlem records. 

KL: Emotionally, what lies at the core of your newest material? 

SM: I get my inspiration from various places, and from the people around me.  My new stuff is aimed at making people move, with sounds and rhythms I consider sexy and intelligent.   

KL: In performance is there an attempt to educate the audience? 

SM: Absolutely. I always try to mix it up but keep it me. I push new sounds in a subtle way to keep things fresh and smart. BOA is a playground for experimenting and I take advantage of that.   

KL: What are you doing to an audience when you perform? 

SM: My aim is to create a vibe first by making people come together on the dance floor. I want people to dance, and feel sexy at the same time. I want them to enjoy the whole experience. This allows me to experiment as I try to create a feeling through a journey of sound.

KL: In which city do you get the most love when performing? 

SM: Toronto, my hometown, is definitely where I get the most love. Where are my butterflies right now? 

KL: How supportive are those in your home city?

SM: My family and friends have been the most amazing, always supporting me through my ups and downs and encouraging me to stick with my dream. They also put up with all my shit…Ha, ha!

KL: How have you learned your most important musical lessons?  

SM: There are always lessons to be learned, I keep my mind open to new ideas and possibilities.  Most importantly: practice and experimentation.

KL:What's the most dangerous problem facing humanity? 

SM: Mass Media Manipulation. People get sucked into the perpetual notion of what they think they should be, or believe.  These images and ideals are the catalyst to so many of the problems facing people today.

KL: What are your thoughts on downloading music through the world wide web, using sites such as Kaza, Napster or Beatport for example?

SM: I buy all of my music, aside from the stuff that's given to me. As for downloading, it's a tricky question. On one hand, people shouldn't steal music, but if done legitimately through a company such as ITunes, where the consumer is paying a small fee, that's okay I guess. Nothing beats the real deal though: Album covers, lyrics and photographs to tell the full story.

KL: Of the songs you've created, which is your favorite release?

SM: I would have to say "SWELLS" coming soon on Stereo Productions.  It really reflects the last six months of my life, and the sound I push at BOA.

KL: Which are you favorite albums and singles of all time? 

SM: Favorite single of all time would have to be "All Night Long," by Lionel Ritchie. 

KL: Who are your most inspirational artistic influences? 

SM: Quicksound from Montreal. Their productions are super intelligent and multifaceted.  They even do some of the productions for the infamous Cirque de Soleil. 

KL: What's the meaning of life?

SM: To never sell yourself short of what it is you believe in.     

KL: What's the strangest food you've ever eaten? 

SM: Oriza….It's a Jewish/Moroccan dish my mother always makes and it's cooked in the oven for 16 hours! 

KL: What's humanity's greatest achievement? 

SM: Communication, and it's various forms…wink, wink. 

KL: Do you believe that there's life on other planets? 

SM: There must be!! …it would be crazy to believe that we are the only form of life in the universe.  Think of all those unexplained mysteries?

KL: Do you believe that the Universe is endless? Yes of course, the universe is infinite!

KL: Do you have any pets? 

SM: Until just recently I had a Golden Retriever…miss u buddy… 

KL: What would you being doing, if not in the music industry?

SM: Oooh… I can't imagine doing anything else but this… maybe acting… Ha!

KL: Beer, wine, booze, or other - do you have a vice, or cocktail of choice? 

SM: I'm actually really big on a healthy lifestyle, working out and all that jazz. However, I will indulge here and there in good company, I'm not too picky. Some wine, vodka, beer, whatever!

KL: Who's your favorite DJ? 

SM: Danny Tenaglia would have to be up there.

KL: What are you up to at the moment (other than this Q&A) - musically? 

SM: Staying on top of my residency at Boa three times a month on Saturdays, a new mix CD in the works, and some monster projects in the studio.

TOP 5: Sean Miller - Swells - CDR - Stereo Productions Julio Torres - Biruta - Sean Miller remix - CDR - Harlem records Quicksound - Africa - CDROwusu and Green - Nevermore - DJ T dub - Naked MusicHaris Custovic - Madness - Laus

For more info visit: www.DJSeanMiller.com or www.Boa-Redux.com