Interview with Mike Miller [imperfectmike] on Whohub

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What do you do? What is your musical specialty?

Composer/singer/guitarist/producer

Do you work alone or in a group? If in a group, who are the others you work with?

Mostly, unless I need something that's beyond me

Is there a web address where one can listen, see, or read some of your work?

What is your specialty in multimedia?

Composer Audio/Visual, Producer, Performer

Do you have a website or blog where we can see something of your work?

http://www.imperfectlive.com
http://uk.youtube.com/user/IMperfectlive
http://www.tourdates.co.uk/IMperfect
http://www.last.fm/music/imperfectlive
http://www.macjams.com/artist/imperfectkahel

What has been your career path? How have you arrived to the point where you are? What did you do before?

I first started in music, age 11, through my music teacher and father, who is a big music fan, played in my first band age 15 (covers), then left, age 19, to pursue a solo career. I tried forming a few bands, but always came up short. Took over running the Windmill theatre, putting on unsigned acts showcasing them to the record labels, in the hope of building the venue to a point where I could do my own thing. Alas, my biz sense was not what it should have been.
I took the next 7 years off to learn to play tennis like a pro, lucky for me I got a job with Fred Stolle in Miami, found myself in NY, circ.92', and IMperfect was born on the streets of that great city. I retired from tennis (after a great 10 years of teaching and playing) and took up where I left off. During this time I restarted my composing and was amazed that I still had a burning desire to play.
5 years later I moved to San Francisco and went back to school at San Francisco State University Multimedia Dept., bold move for an old guy, but it had been a bold move to pick tennis up at 30 years old. I took a lot of stick for that from the younger pro's, but what other people thought never bothered me in my career life, so I pressed on and sucked up as much info as I could, always knowing that the big picture for IMperfect would include moving pictures.
I acquired computer skills, video editing, production, to boost the audio skills I already had. In 2001 I returned to the UK, the scene of my first battle, to make my last stand, bringing 40 years of experience to bear on IMperfect, which I believe is my most impressive work to date. I have been in the arts for 40 years and still remain fresh, because I love it ALL.

How did your interest in multimedia technology begin?

with the word Multi, doing many things always appealed to me.

Please provide a brief description of the hardware and software you currently use most.

Various musical instruments, mac 17 inch intel, mic's, camcorder, logic, final cut pro, web design package,

What parts of your work are the ones you enjoy most and least?

try to do it all with joy

Technology and art - a collison of the left and right brain?

maybe so, but I love the feel of it

Do you usually keep an eye on the work of your competition and analyze how they have done things?

not really, like isolation myself, better creative environment for me

How do you learn new techniques? Manuals? Tutorials? Trial and error?

whatever I can lay my hands on, and plenty of trial and error

You spend many hours in front of screens and in dark rooms. How do you compensate for that on a personal level?

hang with my friends and family, soak up some nature

If you have to hire an assistant, what qualifications and qualities do you look for when making your choice?

someone who is ready to serve the project, the way I do, no ego, just do what's best, and the sense to know what that is.

What types of professionals are you used to collaborating with, sharing experiences with, or forming a team with?

all sorts, that perfect fit for me can come from many directions, but hey, you can't beat a pro.

What advice would you give those who want to break into this profession?

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