“The Hours Are Long But The Pay is Low: A Curious Life In Independent Music” by Rob Miller

We don’t tend to do book reviews but when we learnt that Rob Miller, the co-founder of legendary label Bloodshot Records had released a biography we knew we had to give it a review and share the news. Although, as to be expected from someone who as well as starting a record label was also a stage, production and tour manager; DJ; Fanzine writer; and even drummer, this is more than a story about forming a label. It’s an epic commentary on the whole music scene. As Rob sates, this is “a book about beliefs, ethics, and motivations”.

But let’s start with the label first. The book gives some real insight into how the label was formed, ran and its purpose. It was one of those labels which developed a reputation where you just knew that the artist and the release would be one of quality and authenticity. It effectively created its own genre, which became known as ‘insurgent country’. That was a sound that combined country and rock and punk. Something that an interviewer nicely described as sounding “something a bit Woody Gutherie and a bit Sex Pistols”. We also get to learn about the thinking behind the name, “it sounded cowboy, but not hick, more renegade black hat Magnificent Seven, Yul Brynner than hagiographic white hat John Wayne….it could be many things. It could be its own thing”.

Fans of the label and its bands will absolutely love this book. It gives a detailed account of some of the highs (and occasional lows) of running a label. There’s loads of insights and tales about industry people, bands and musicians. But, as with everything Rob Miller has done, it’s all presented with an admirable amount of integrity and respect. This isn’t a place to come and find dirty secrets or tacky stories of indiscretion. We’re sure he has many tales that would have sensationalised the book and helped to make some book selling headlines. But that’s not what Rob or the label was ever about. The aspirations of the label are described as getting “to a scale that was manageable and flexible, to build a loyal fanbase and weather these spasms of mercenary interest that routinely ended in disappointment, or worse, and never put ourselves in a position that we needed a “hit” to survive”.

Amongst all the stories there is also plenty of commentary on the pitfalls of the music ‘industry’ and tales of caution about where it is heading. Without ever being ‘preachy’ there are observations and warnings. For example, he comments on how there has been recent trends for appreciating craftsmanship with things like local breweries, bakeries , butchers, ethnically sourced clothes etc. and yet “for whatever reason, this appreciation has not necessarily carried over to music….many self-proclaimed independent music fans blithely chose to purchase (or access) music for facially microscopic amounts and spur the massive growth of faithless corporate behemoths that have never created a note of music”. That’s something that all of us should consider before we next buy any music. Don’t give your money to that global online site which couldn’t give a stuff about music. Instead make the effort and visit the local record store where you will get a personal service, maybe even a friendly chat and some recommendations, and support someone who does love music (or IF you have to buy online then use an independent person who might run a real record shop eg our own local store https://www.seismicrecords.co.uk/).

This book was a timely reminder to us at www.thesoulofaclown about how important music is to us and so many people. Whilst we are nowhere near making any kind of impact like Rob and Bloodshot, at least we know we are doing what we can to support bands and artists, especially those who have remained true to the independent ethos. We share Rob’s view of how grateful people should be to have any part in bringing music to others “I was a lifelong music fan who was lucky enough to put out one album – a record geek’s wet dream – and went on to create an entire collection. It was an amazing job, that wasn’t even a job in many ways, it was a cause”.

If you love music, whether that’s the kind of stuff Bloodshot put out or not, this is an essential purchase, one that will restore your faith in the importance of music and the joy it can bring.