While many know of Tor Miller from 2015 tracks Midnight and Carter & Cash, with the release of his debut album ‘American English’ today, we have been introduced to a whole different side of his artistry. From upbeat track Chelsea to the stripped back Washington Square Park, Headlights and Stampede tearing at the heartstrings while Tor croons without the large production of ‘Midnight’ to hide behind, it’s great to see how diverse Tor truly is as an artist. The debut is strong and a record which screams to be listened to live (lucky for us he is off on tour and coming to the UK in October). We sat down with the NYC born musician during the leadup to the release of  ‘American English’ to discuss dream gigs, touring and his musical background.

 

Countdown to the album release, are you happy with the final product?

I’m just so relieved. I finished the record a year ago and at this point, I’m just happy for it to be out. I’m so excited for it and I think the fans will be too.

 

Has there been a lot of changes made over the year?

I think the label were waiting for the time to be right and everything being in order. It’s a different way of working for me as I’d have just thrown it all out there and been on to the next one.

 

What can people expect to hear that they haven’t already?

It’s a much larger record and the arrangements are so lush and full. There’s a lot more uptempo number compared to the EP also and a better balance. It’s more of my influences and broad musical tastes coming through.

 

 

You’re about to leave on tour, excited?

Very excited and my band consists of so many close friends that it’s like a friends road trip. It’s great and what I realised is that I’ve been throughout Europe and the rest of the world more than I’ve been around the United States so it’s kind of crazy because it’s such a diverse and beautiful country.

 

Where do you feel most at home the stage or the studio?

At this moment, I’d say the stage but I’ve been in and out of studios my whole life and I’m growing more accustomed to that lifestyle and I’m putting my head into production a lot more so in time it’ll hopefully be more balanced.

 

You’re very classic in your music training, what was it like to get in the studio and learn about producing and all the technical side of music?

It’s nuts, I went to engineering school which covered a broad spectrum but it just wasn’t where my heart sat so I left that to the people who enjoyed it. Picking a producer for this album was such a big deal for me because it had to be someone that I really trusted. It was different and when everything is under a microscope you realise you’re not as brilliant as you thought you were to the naked ear so it pushes you to be better.

 

When you were growing up did you always have a flair for music?

My parents are VERY into music so growing up there was a lot of Frank Sinatra and my mum gave me a lot of records and I was always in piano lessons. It wasn’t until I started playing shows at fourteen years old that I realised that “yes, this is what I want to do”.

 

What’s your favourite thing about going on tour?

So many things but I love getting to meet a whole lot of people who are so diverse and great. Playing the shows and the comradery in going through it all with the band is awesome because you really kill yourself travelling, staying up late, waking up early and then travelling again. We can travel for fifteen hours a day and I used to be doing it all alone so it’s great to have my band with me.

 

When you picture your dream show?

I used to watch a load of festivals from the tv growing up and I’d just love to play the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury festival one day. It’s always been a dream to play Madison Square Garden also, I’ve been so a lot of games and shows there before.

 

What is your FAULT?

Laziness and I doubt myself at times.