Hello. You’ve reached Time & Temperature.
Howdy, y'all. My name is Rhett Miller. I sing in the Old 97’s and have for OVER 30 YEARS. That’s crazy. I also make solo albums out of the songs that my fellow 97’s don’t want—they're ornery sometimes. You may recognize me from my Guardians of the Galaxy character Bzermikitokolok. And you may have read one of my kids’ books, or seen my byline in The Atlantic, McSweeney’s, or some other fancy publication. Let’s just say, I get around.
When I was young I felt torn between two career paths, music and writing. After a semester at college studying writing, I decided that making music appealed to me more. I imagined that I’d garner life experience by traveling the world as a troubadour before segueing into my writerly life. And I have spent the ensuing decades traveling and garnering. But once you’ve committed to a thing, it’s hard to extricate yourself - especially when that thing is rock and roll.
Over the years I’ve published short-form pieces, essays and stories. And filled file cabinets with unfinished longer-form pieces. I can’t shake the bug. The dream won’t die. With Time & Temperature I intend to bring you my best. New, archival, off-the-cuff and painstakingly composed. I will also give you some music and video, but Time & Temperature will be the main place I share my writing. I’m thrilled to have this community for inspiration.
This will be more than just a place for me to post—it will be a proper gathering place. I welcome your questions, and I’ll even answer many of them. Of course I’ll have stories for you, but I want to hear your stories as well. Discussion threads will offer an opportunity for y’all to set the agenda. Eventually the comments and discussion threads will only be available to paid subscribers, but for now I’m hoping to hear what you’d like to see me focus on in Time & Temperature.
I’ve been frustrated with the current avenues for artist/audience connection. I’ve never been able to stomach Facebook for some reason, and I’m sure that has cost me dearly in terms of reaching folks. Twitter was fun for a while when it was just goofball stuff peppered with promo. Instagram has been my go-to for a while, but I don’t like the way it insinuates itself into my/our brain. The hours spent scrolling freak me out and eventually the interaction feels hollow, even fraudulent. Plus, it’s image-based, rather than text-based, and I’ve never had the knack for creating compelling images. Just ask my daughter. She’s forever roasting me for terrible photos. I’ve been wishing for a direct connection like the one we will be able to forge here.
So… I’m here to bring you the Time & Temperature a newsletter that will offer something for everyone.
Fans of the Old 97’s and my solo work will appreciate frequent updates and analysis. The new 97’s album will be the focus for the foreseeable future as it drops at the beginning of April. Learn all about the new music, the stories behind the songs, as well as tales from the studio and the road.
Aspiring songwriters will benefit from my ongoing shift into professorial mode. I’ve been focusing on sharing and teaching the craft of songwriting lately and that will come through here on Time & Temperature where you’ll find how-to videos, and songwriting tips, tricks and prompts. I love songwriting and I want to do my part to bring more songwriters into this world that desperately needs us.
Seekers and searchers will find a community here. Music has always been a reason for people to come together and Time & Temperature is going to continue in that tradition. Let’s grapple with the thorny, tricky human stuff. Together.
Readers are going to get my words, the best I can muster. And lots of them! I Can’t promise a specific publication schedule, as sometimes life in a rock band can get gnarly, but my plan is to share at least one or two substantial items with the Time & Temperature community every week.
Writers who, like me, have dreamed of writing more, better, deeper stuff, will find a place of encouragement and sharing. I’ll bring you old and new pieces, finished and unfinished. I’ll ask for your thoughts and I’ll share mine. It takes a village, and I hope for Time & Temperature to be just that.
And there will be FUN. As much of a blast as music is to make and play, how could a community devoted to listening, learning and discussing music not be a hell of a lot of fun? I intend to be as open and transparent as possible, and I look forward to y’all keeping it real as well. Let’s get weird!
Finally, I intend to treat Time & Temperature as one of my jobs, and like with everything I do, I will put a lot of work into it. I believe in an ethos of paying people for their work (especially in the fields of music and writing, where work is undervalued and, therefore, resources are limited). Some of what I’ll be posting here will be viewable to anyone who subscribes, paid or not. But the bulk of the craft talk, behind-the-scenes stories, and the music/video will be available only to paid subscribers, as will the ability to fully participate in the conversation. If you want to be a part of Time & Temperature, and believe in paying people for their time and talent, consider a paid subscription. This is a way for you, should you be so inclined, to directly support my work.
