Rob Miller's memoir "The Hours Are Long But the Pay is Low" offers a behind-the-scenes look at running Bloodshot Records, an independent label that has released music by artists such as Lydia Loveless, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, and Alejandro Escovedo. The book covers Miller's journey from starting the label in 2000 to its eventual sale in 2021.
The memoir begins with Side A, which explores the early years of Bloodshot Records and the challenges of maintaining independence in an industry dominated by major labels. Miller shares stories about how he kept the label going during economic downturns and overcame struggles such as unpaid royalties and allegations of sexual harassment.
Side B offers a more pragmatic look at the record business, with Miller discussing the decisions made by him and his team to stay independent despite growing success. He also touches on the difficulties of navigating the changing music landscape, including the rise of streaming services and Napster.
Throughout the book, Miller emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's values and passions. Despite facing significant challenges, he remained committed to his vision for Bloodshot Records, which has become a model for independent labels.
The memoir concludes with Miller reflecting on the lessons learned from running an independent label. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to be cautious but not deterred, saying "If you hear that and think that guy's full of s—-, I can do it, then exactly, you should do it." However, he also cautions against ignoring red flags and emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's values.
"The Hours Are Long But the Pay is Low" offers a unique perspective on the music industry and the challenges faced by independent labels. Miller's memoir serves as a reminder of the power of passion and perseverance in achieving success, even in the face of adversity.
The memoir begins with Side A, which explores the early years of Bloodshot Records and the challenges of maintaining independence in an industry dominated by major labels. Miller shares stories about how he kept the label going during economic downturns and overcame struggles such as unpaid royalties and allegations of sexual harassment.
Side B offers a more pragmatic look at the record business, with Miller discussing the decisions made by him and his team to stay independent despite growing success. He also touches on the difficulties of navigating the changing music landscape, including the rise of streaming services and Napster.
Throughout the book, Miller emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's values and passions. Despite facing significant challenges, he remained committed to his vision for Bloodshot Records, which has become a model for independent labels.
The memoir concludes with Miller reflecting on the lessons learned from running an independent label. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to be cautious but not deterred, saying "If you hear that and think that guy's full of s—-, I can do it, then exactly, you should do it." However, he also cautions against ignoring red flags and emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's values.
"The Hours Are Long But the Pay is Low" offers a unique perspective on the music industry and the challenges faced by independent labels. Miller's memoir serves as a reminder of the power of passion and perseverance in achieving success, even in the face of adversity.
. I love how he kept it real about the struggles of staying independent and not getting paid on time... yeah, sounds like a total dream come true for many artists out there 
. And can we just say his advice at the end is straight fire? "If you're all in, then go for it"... or as I'd put it, "don't be a wimp" 
. All joking aside, though, it's dope to see someone who stuck it out and made their mark on the music industry 
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it's so inspiring to see how he stuck to his vision for bloodshot records despite all the struggles 
i mean, the industry can be super tough and competitive, but it's clear that rob stayed true to himself and what he believed in 
and i love that he's sharing his story with us, because let's face it, we could all learn from his experiences 
i mean who doesn't want to know how they did it with all that crap going on? but honestly, i'm a little salty that some ppl r sayin he didnt get paid enough lol "the pay is low" 
! Running an indie label for 21 years is no joke. I mean, can you imagine having to deal with all those ups and downs while still keeping your vision alive? 
Of course, it's not all rainbows and unicorns - he had to navigate some pretty tough challenges like unpaid royalties and sexual harassment allegations 
. But his advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is so spot on: be cautious but don't give up if you're passionate about something! 
. I gotta respect how he stuck to his guns, even when things got tough 
. His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? "Don't be reckless, just cautious" 
... sounds like sound advice to me 
. One thing's for sure, if you're passionate about what you do, it doesn't have to break the bank 
anyway i think its awesome that rob miller stayed true to his values despite all the challenges he faced its kinda inspiring actually we should take a page from his book and stay committed to our passions even when things get tough 
. I get it, Rob Miller's memoir is about his experiences running an independent label, but can't they come up with a more catchy title? The one they chose just doesn't do justice to the book itself.
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... except when it does and then everyone's all 'I knew it!' 
" 
But seriously, who needs that much drama? 
. And that part about staying true to your values is SO important 
. Anyway, Rob Miller's story is like, totally inspiring, you know? It's proof that with hard work and dedication, you can make your passion a reality 
It's crazy how far he's come, from starting that label in 2000 to selling it in 2021 
. But despite all those challenges, he stayed committed to his vision for the label and it actually ended up being a model for other independent labels 
. I think what I love most about this memoir is how honest Rob is about the struggles, but also about the rewards of pursuing something you're passionate about 
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. Like, can't we just get to the juicy gossip already? Instead it's all "oh look at me being passionate about my label" and "I overcame all these struggles"... zzz... 
. Can't we have a more nuanced discussion about the music industry? Like, what about the financials behind Bloodshot Records? How did they actually make money? 
. His passion and commitment to staying true to his values are truly admirable 
. What really struck me was how he balanced being pragmatic with staying authentic – it's not always easy to make decisions that align with your passions, but he did just that 
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for sticking to his vision despite all the struggles he must've had 
and I love that he emphasizes being true to your values, doesn't sound like a corporate book at all