Making music. Building an audience.
My role: Founder, songwriter, guitarist and vocalist; album artwork, brand identity and marketing.
I created Blueburst with Marty Willson-Piper of The Church, writing, producing and releasing our debut album, Significance. After more than 20 years away from music, making the record was a very personal return. Getting people to hear it was a creative challenge of its own.
I created the album artwork, built the project's brand and led its marketing through Meta advertising and social media. The work brought together the music, its visual identity and a direct relationship with listeners.
The project sold approximately 1,000 physical albums, mostly directly to fans. Those sales came through digital promotion, without live promotion. Blueburst has also generated approximately 520,000 combined streams on Spotify and Apple Music, with additional listening on other platforms.
Being on the artist's side of the business has changed how I think about music marketing. Fans want to support the artists they love, but often don't realize how little streaming contributes to the cost of making music. Giving them a reason and a way to connect more directly matters.
Album Reviews
“An artist that has had a powerful impact on my life over the last few months. This is my album of the year.”
Banger of the Day
"A masterpiece rock album, with delectable genre fusions."
Sinusoidal Music
"Blueburst delivers a lush, guitar-based sound deeply rooted in the legacy of ’80s alternative and post-punk…Miller tackles the zeitgeist, reflecting the angst and turmoil of recent years through his rejuvenated spirit."
The Pentatonic
"Blueburst doesn’t just try their hand at the modern alternative rock model; they try to redefine the parameters of a classic genre."
NeuFutur Magazine
“The lyrics that insert passion into 'Amplify Me,' 'Come Alive,' and 'Kick My Tires' are riddled with an earnestness that isn’t as common in modern pop music."
Indie Band Guru
"With Marty Willson-Piper’s distinctive and creative guitar work enhancing Miller’s songs, 'Significance' is a dynamic and intelligent musical journey."
York Calling
Social Media Promo Vids
Craig Talks to People
Being in Blueburst means that other musicians who I love are willing to talk to me on camera. So I thought it’d be enlightening to interview some of them.