Every once in a while I will open up my DMs on Twitter and find myself engaging with someone new. I think we’ve all been annoyed by those DMs that arrive sterile and sales-pitchy, but when I got Jacob’s thanks-for-following message it stuck a chord with me. Actually, I think his message caught me in the right mood (because yes, I have my moods), but it has been his continued engagement and kindness that have really made all the difference . . . not to mention his good music.
Here’s how I happened upon a musical talent and treasure just by giving that DM a chance, and now I want to share it with you too. 🙂
It all started through a Twitter DM on chilly November day . . .
“Hey! Thanks for following me!… No this is not a spam! Gotta little favor to ask of you though! First of all you like good music right?? I’ve got some for you! Really would like to know what you think.:) Literally all you have to do is click on the link. Let me know after you’ve listened to it.”
Attached was this link to a YouTube video. What’s a few minutes of my time to hear something I might really enjoy? What did I do? I said:
I’m a sucker for ‘not spam’ messages. 😀
“Well then you’ve followed the right person!XD”
So I clicked the video and had a quick listen.
I like your sound, Jacob. I will try to check out more of your stuff. Do you do any instrumental-only stuff too? Of course, now it sounds like I don’t like your voice, but that is silly. I like your voice. 🙂 Have a great day!
“So glad you like it!! Thanks for taking the time to listen! I’ve got more too over at http://jacobmillermusic.com and on spotify. Would love to hear if you have a favorite!:) And as of right now, I do not have any just instrumental stuff, but the idea sounds pretty fun for a future project.:)”
I like to support other artists, especially ones who make an effort to be real so I said,
I’ll head over there as soon as I get a chance. Thanks for being a ‘real’ person! I’m looking forward to hearing more and will share everything I like. 🙂
The reason I asked about instrumental is because I like to listen to background music while I write, but sometimes words distract me. haha I start to sing along and then I’m in trouble!
I figured the conversation would end there, that I’d done what he asked, enjoyed his music and would do what I promised by checking out the rest of his stuff at jacobmillermusic.com, but he surprised me by staying engaged, which seems rare in my fleeting Twitter DM conversations.
All great soundtracks.
I have no doubt I will. How long have you been playing, singing, and recording?
Yeah, I rarely let my curiosity stop me from asking questions. How else will I learn something new or find out more about others if I don’t even bother? So, yeah, I started asking questions. But Jacob didn’t blow me off or pretend not to get my DMs after listening to his music, tweeting about it, and sharing his YouTube link. That he didn’t ignore me was pretty dang cool.
“Playing, about 12 years, but I didn’t start pursuing a serious career in music until about 4 years ago”
Did you always want to pursue a music career? (I might be interviewing you without thinking about it. Old habit!)
“No problem!! Not until around that time four years ago. A girlfriend I used to have kind of influenced me into taking it on after I realized I was pretty good at it. She wrote music too.”
Yes! That’s the magic in it!:)
At this point in time, I thought, “What the hey. Might as well see how much of an interview Mr. Jacob Miller the musician will let me do. I’d love to know more about this guy before I really start singing his praises across the internet.” 🙂
Are you able to pursue music full time? What sort of music do you listen to?
“. . . My parents were going through a rough time and I was emotionally distraught over the situation so I felt lead to write the song.:)”
Our smattering of conversation continued for days . . .
“Sure I would! Nothing to be ashamed about. Hard times make us stronger if we allow them to.:)”
Amen to that.
I listened to all the songs from your EP. Actually I just let it play from your website over and over again while I was working on formatting a couple nights ago. Which songs on the EP are yours? Landslide is the only song I recognized. (I’m quite a bit older than you, but I grew up with Fleetwood Mac, too. 🙂 )
I was curious to know where else other than iTunes I could find his songs to buy.
“I’m sure you could find it on Amazon, or you could order a hard copy signed CD from my website!:) And Yes Fleetwood Mac is a classic band. The Landslide song is the only cover. The rest are original written songs.”
That was early December that we spoke, and after that the holidays and new years flurry of activity kept us both pretty busy. We’ve talked off an on a couple times since then, but Jacob Miller is a nice guy with a lot of talent.
Make sure you listen to his single, “Lost My Way” on YouTube, but go a step further and check out all his songs at jacobmillermusic.com and if you have enjoyed it, please consider buying his CD. Either digital or hard copy CD. It’s good to support artists, including those who make great music and share their talent with us so freely.
Some places to find and buy Jacob Miller’s Music:
- JacobMillerMusic.com (CD $7 or CD + Poster $10, both great deals, and all proceeds raised through his website will be going to make another music video)
- iTunes
- Spotify
A couple places to follow Jacob Miller on Social Media:
- Twitter: @Jacobmillermusic
- Facebook: @JacobMillMusic
You are an amazing woman, Rachael. You encourage and support so many other artists. ❤
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Thanks E. I wish I could and did do more! ❤ I am always so encouraged by you.
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Likewise. ❤
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Bit of LTNS shameful foot shuffling…been too long Rachael…my sincere apologies for absentia. First two months of the year have been somewhat empty headed…. First reason for popping over is to say I gave you a shout out on my blog. It was a blogger award that I used to spotlight my top blogging friends. As awards go they say nominate blah number of people, but as I don’t tend to do these, I figured the interpretation is loose and I should use it to say thank you to great bloggers and friends. Of which I count you as both!
https://fictionisfood.wordpress.com/2017/02/18/versatile-blogger-award/
Hope you don’t mind!
Secondly, I’m up there with direct messages on Twitter. I get so many automated “buy me” ones I don’t look anymore. This post has changed my mind on that one and I will be checking Jacob’s music out imminently!
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THANK YOU and THANK YOU, Gary! You’re awesome. I must admit to also not stopping by your blog, but would you believe me when I say I have thought about it every week at least 3 times without having actually done it. I really need to adjust my blog notifications somehow, because I need to make it SUPER easy to get to my favorites. When it comes to DMs, I’m always thinking, “Do I reply? do I not?”Sometimes people actually respond with things totally not “sales-y” 🙂 Thank you!
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No need to thank Rachael, always keen to shout out about friends I’ve met here! And yes, I do believe that because it’s exactly what I do…although try using lists in the reader. I’ve got you on my “close blogging friends” one. Changing to view that filters all posts except those bloggers sites that have been added. I have different lists for different blog types too…hungry, I go to “Food” lol. Same here with DM’s too, I get so many automated ones I’m probably missing intentional ones. It’s a flipping full time job keeping on top! I want to start blog battling again too, but I’ve overwhelmed in too many projects. I’m about to make a comprehensive list and start chipping away until I’m back on top 😱
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🙂 I’m always thankful in the face of thoughtfulness. AND LISTS! Yes, lists are the lifeblood of productivity. hehehe unless you write lists like me (where did I put that list?). I’ve made some of those distinctions in my lists on WP, but I don’t check it often enough. I do better with the “daily” emails sent to my mailbox that differentiate from the regular “deliver immediately” ones. Only problem: clogs up my inbox a bit. You are always welcome, any time you have time, at blog battle! 🙂
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Oh I just make lists to remind me of lists…trouble is that leads to extreme paper trail hunts 🤔 I hear you on the email clog! Mine gets battered and sometimes (guilty look) I (shhh) mass delete them. I think it must be near 200 a day and that’s just one account 😱 Once I’ve sorted out the pile up of paperwork and writing “must do’s” I’d like to get back into the battles too. And catching up with friends like you 😊
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Sounds good to me. 🙂 Battles and friends are both enjoyable endeavors to have on every list! haha (and between you and me and everyone reading the comments…I have to mass delete sometimes too. I wish I could read everything! I like to think all the reading of articles and blog posts I do adds up to a couple books worth every year. Makes me feel less guilty for my lower have read book count.)
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As long as we remember to look at the lists lol. I think I need a better structure to my blogging too. Balance is required and maybe dedicated times to sit with it to read blogs. It was easy with three followers!!! Love the book analogy too. Not sure how I can add that to my GoodReads reading challenge though 🤔
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That’s exactly the problem with the blog reading. How to make it stick for Goodreads reading challenges?! 😀 You just need to not be popular and then you’ll have no problem with the reading of blogs. haha
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Is it that easy? Just not be popular?? You might be onto something…must close all social media and move into a book shelved cave 😳
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I think that would be unwise….you’d have quite a following and cause the opposite of your intention… hehehe
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Obviously I pay them all…can’t be due to content and popularity surely…although…did you just hint at reverse psychology…would people really hunt down a recluse in a cave 😳
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Depends. Is it a recluse whose got walls full of books and supposed peace and quiet in which to enjoy said books?
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Of course, with one of those wall ladders to reach the top shelves. And a writing desk…and coffee machine…🤔
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I know I’d be there!
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There is a certain romanticism about the idea of such a writing den. Here I’ve not really got a proper place as such and that’s a bit of a bind at times. One day lol
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So cool for you to make a great connection like this, Rachael! I enjoyed reading your conversation with Jacob! Happy creating, writing, reading and listening!
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Thank you! He’s got a lot of talent. I hope he does well, and can’t wait to see where he takes his music career. 🙂
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