What is your Full name?
Benjamin Joseph Edwards
How old are you?
19
What is your genre of music?
A blend of Alternative R&B, Electronica, Hip Hop and Soul
Give us a little bio about yourself.
I am a self taught songwriter and producer originally from Shropshire and my music takes influence from a range of genres including artists such as Nas, The Fugees, James Blake, Chet Faker, Erykah Badu and Frank Ocean. I Produced my first EP in my bedroom studio at home. I spent a few years developing my craft until I finally felt comfortable with my sound. I am currently at university studying a science degree in Music Technology.
How long have you been doing music?
I began playing my first instrument (the guitar) when I was 16 years old and found my love for production around a year later. In terms of singing, I had no vocal training and was inexperienced but I believe my voice has developed as I’ve matured.
What made you go in to music?
Initially it was more of a hobby but I soon realised my passion for writing and creating music so I made a decision to dedicate myself to it. I decided to study music technology at college to help better my understanding of the music industry itself.
Are you a signed?
Not as of yet.
Your DEBUT EP is out ‘Persistence’ what is the meaning behind the name?
I had a lot of times where I doubted myself when I initially started coming up with the idea of even making an EP, so from day one I promised myself to remain consistent and work hard to achieve what I wanted; therefore, I thought ‘persistence’ was an accurate name to display the time and effort gone into the EP as I’d written and produced every song on the EP as well as painting the artwork myself. On top of this I knew that the music industry would be tough and the only way to strive in the current industry would be by working hard and being persistent.
Tell us more about the tracks individually.
Marigold –
I got lead on by a girl I really liked once and she lead me in to a false sense of emotions. The song is basically me reflecting back on it realising that she wasn’t right for me and she was too immature at the time. As I do with other personal songs I tried hiding the true emotion of it by using metaphors. I tried to create a fairly happy vibed out song using bad connotations.
Vibe –
when writing this I was just finishing college, I’d found out that I had been accepted in to university and wanted to write a feel good song to reflect and talk about how life as it going. I also touched on how although I’m not rich, I still felt wealthy as I had everything I needed to be happy. Summing the song up I’d say simply that it’s a feel good track about me being excited for the future.
Overdue –
I wrote it trying to put across the argument on how the mainstream media and big corporations have tried to condition people in to consumerism and the idea that happiness comes from material items. As well as this i wanted to touch on the idea of how this has sprouted from human ego being out of control within particular people, creating an unfair hierarchy that cleverly hides oppression within lower class people. I basically say how i can see past this and that I’m fed up of it.
Cold Hands –
I’d been through a break up a few years before writing this track but I still hadn’t fully gotten over it. I’d had a period where I was going through a low point and needed to overcome some issues and figured writing this track would help to reflect on everything that had happened and from this, move past it. Saying this, I didn’t want everyone knowing specifically what had happened so I wrote it metaphorically to ensure that I could still filter what I needed to say without others knowing the true meaning behind the song. I feel I still managed to get across the emotion and meaning of the song.
How long did it take to complete?
From when I first started writing the first song, which was actually Marigold I’d say it took around 6 months to complete. This was mainly because I had gaps where I was more focused on college work so didn’t manage to spend much time writing and producing but during the last 6 to 8 weeks of this period I spent pretty much all of my time working on the tracks and getting them all polished. I actually lost the original file for Marigold so had to start from scratch… I’d never been so annoyed in my life as I’d spent a lot of time on it but admittedly it came out sounding way better the second time round so in a way I’m kind of happy it happened.
You Produce and Write you own tracks, is it difficult doing both or easier would you say?
I’d say it can be Easier on the basis that you can get all of your creative ideas across more easily without having to confer it with other people as it’s all coming from you. This means you get a good representation of what you want and how you envisioned in your mind. However, it’s a lot more time consuming and can create some self doubt without having someone else to confer with about how it’s sounding. Saying this, I do believe that when working with other people, especially with writing, it can be beneficial as you can bounce off each others ideas and encourage each other. It can also help if you’re experiencing writers block as they could come up with something that causes a spark that you necessarily wouldn’t have been able to create on your own.
How long have you been Producing for?
I’d say it’s been around 3 years now since I got my first DAW but I’ve only taken producing more seriously during last 18 months.
Will we see an album?
I haven’t really put too much thought in to it as of yet. I’m just taking things one step at a time. I’m currently working on a second EP and this will be my next project so yeah, for now it’s not on the cards. But yeah, I definitely want to produce a full album when the time is right.
What instruments do you play?
I play guitar and some keys and am self taught in both.
Who are your influences?
Chet Faker, The Fugees, J Dilla, Ed Sheeran, James Blake, Jack Garratt, Frank Ocean, Kaytranada, J Louis, Erykah Badu.
Will you be doing any gigs or a Tour?
It’s very early days to mention anything about a tour, but it would be a dream of mine to achieve being able to say that I’d be traveling around the country touring and playing my own music for people. However, I do have some low-key small gigs planned out for early summer just to familiarise myself with performing and building on my stage presence and performance style etc.
If you are, where are will you be heading?
Locations aren’t confirmed yet but they will most probably be scattered around the UK.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
It always depends, but it can be from a personal experience that I use to portray my emotions in to music. It can start from a view or belief I have about something in the world that I want others to hear. Or it can even just something that randomly comes in to my head at the time, a thought or just an emotion.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
I think its too early to say and I don’t like to get too ahead of myself but I think if I just stick to making music and stick to what I know and love then it will hopefully take me on the path that I’m supposed to be going on. My long term goal however is definitely to be able to have a career in music, be respected for it and able to support my family and along the way hopefully be able to help others to get through certain obstacles they have through listening to and relating to my music.
What Music do you listen to when you’re out?
Tech House, Dub, Reggae, Jazz, R&B
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I’m currently studying music tech at university and it is very theory based so a lot of my time is focused on achieving my degree. But other than this I go to a lot of gigs with my girlfriend, play some basketball if I get the time and just generally socialise with friends I guess.
What’s the best gig you’ve played so far and why?
As I’ve just started with my music career and its extremely early days, currently my only official live performance I’ve done as Miller Blue was a live session for BBC Introducing Shropshire. Although it was quite daunting knowing my first performance was live on air, I loved every every second of it and can’t wait for more performances in the future.
If you could collaborate with one UK Artist who would it be?
James Blake
If you could collaborate with one USA Artist who would it be?
Childish Gambino
Where is your dream venue or festival to perform in UK?
Parklife / Wireless
Where is your dream venue or festival to perform in USA?
Maddison Square Gardens
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
I can’t say a particular song however, Ed Sheerans’ first ever album ‘+’ inspired me so a lot and drove me to wanting to write and perform music myself.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Someone once told me that no matter how frustrating and agitated I become when pursuing my music, always persevere with it because in the end what you love doing and are most passionate about is what will make you the happiest.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
Have long and short term goals you want to achieve, remain focused and channelled in what you’re doing and make sure the music comes first and for anyone who doubts you, prove them wrong because everyone has to start somewhere.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“Where there is love there is life” – Mahatma Gandhi
When you care at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Gig ticket, Carmex, Chewing Gum, Phone, Money
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Facebook – Facebook.com/MillerBlueMusic
Twitter – @MillerBlueMusic
Soundcloud – soundcloud.com/millerblue
Instagram – @MillerBlueMusic
