Marcus G. Miller: On Creativity
Marianna
Do you have a routine for entering into a creative headspace?
Marcus
Yes. When I’m sitting down to write music or an essay or do some math. The first thing is to just go. Write or play whatever comes to mind and don’t get distracted by the desire to make it coherent. At most, it will take 45 minutes to get into the swing of things so its important to me that I have ample time and am not distracted.
Marianna
Do you have habits you've built for yourself to foster creativity?
Marcus
This is not so much a habit as it is a mindset: Get to the place where you know you can do better. For me, at that point, an obsession kicks in and I don’t have to worry about motivation so much. My mind will also drift toward the technical problems when I’m away from the work like making the counterpoint better or fixing a frequency or playing with structure, and I’ll be excited to return to the project.
Working on projects sometimes doesn’t play well with other structures so another good mindset is to be generous with your creative spirit. Maybe some other routines get the MVR (minimum viable routine) treatment when working on a big project.
Marianna
Where do you think ideas come from?
Marcus
I wish I knew. I’m loosely of the camp that they come from some other mystical space and the work of an artist is training your mind to receive ideas by making it more sensitive, training your will to work on ideas when they come to you, and ultimately having systems so that you can repeat this process with low friction.
Marianna
What does creativity mean to you?
Marcus
Creativity is access to the so-called divine. I think by playing around in it we have the potential to make ourselves better, more well-adjusted people, and can inspire similar growth in others.
It can also be used for other things but I think this is its best use. Praise music, cathedrals, art. Stuff that gives us transcendence.
Marianna
When do your best ideas hit you?
Marcus
My best ideas hit me about an hour into a session and then during periods of review and revision. All the opportunities to clarify, embed deeper notions, decorate the initial architecture to make the point more clearly. I have to be relaxed and inspired by what I’m doing, even a little bit.
Marianna
How would you describe your creative process?
Marcus
10x, Sprint. When I’m really in it and doing my best work, everything else falls by the wayside. I usually need some time to reward myself after working on something hard and then some MORE time to get my life back together.
It’s also a never-ending process of tweaking. I’m never satisfied with my old work and usually have to rely on the appreciation of others in order to enjoy it.
Marianna
So many artists are pivoting and finding ways to adjust their creative process during COVID. How have you been channeling your creativity during this time?
Marcus
I discovered how much of an inside cat I am. Personally, I have had a magnificent time during the lockdown because I stay inside and play instruments and read and write. I have also found that I need to have balanced sprints in different subject areas to be happy. Math one week, a new song the next, a fugue the following. Trying to smooth that process out takes the fire out of a given project. I also found that I’m not maximally efficient.
At first, I had to get over being mad at myself for not crushing every creative to-do list and having finished a mixtape and 2 symphonies and a jazz project or some crazy tall order. Once I forgave myself for not being as prolific as I dream of, a different kind of playful urgency opened up and efficiency began to improve itself in the form of more focused sprints, greater sensitivity to details, and an unforced desire to tweak processes. I’m still on that journey, but it feels really good.
Marianna
What unexpected turns did your life take to lead you to become who you are today?
Marcus
So many! Turning down conservatory to go to Harvard. Deciding to study math having no background. Working in finance. Leaving Finance. Starting a failed record label. Working at a studio. Tutoring for years. Learning to meditate. Rapping, Producing Pop and Hip Hop. Taking up Kung Fu.
Taking the risk to combine math and music and make that my thing. Jumping in with Daybreaker. Jumping in with the Davos Crew. All of these big movements came from me wanting to do things and deciding internally that I was going to do them my way rather than follow the prescribed path. It meant living with uncertainty and feeling like I was losing for a long time, but it all ended up coming together.
Marianna
What sources of inspiration do you use to foster creativity in your work?
Marcus
I read way too much when I should be working. I love Nietzsche, Dostoevsky, Carl Jung, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison. I love business books with cool anecdotes about how people accomplish things. I love world religions, different sutras, the bible, mystical and esoteric texts. I love reading math and physics textbooks and papers because it pushes my imagination.
I love classical music, New Orleans Jazz, Bebop, Fusion, Hip Hop, Soul, R&B, Gospel and I check in on New Music Fridays just to see what the kids are into. I am mystified by Guaguanco and Afro-Cuban music as well as Brazillian music. There is so much beautiful stuff in the world to learn and grow from.
Marianna
What creative projects are you most proud of?
Marcus
Really proud of Math + Music. This was a series I did with some friends (including Marianna) at the National Museum of Mathematics (and one special edition in Hong Kong) where we got luminaries in math and music to come together and talk about unexpected connections in the topics. Always an honor to hang with Nobel Prize Winners, Fields Medalists, Master Musicians, Award-winning performers. It made me realize that there is something to the connection and that exploring it will do some good for the world.
Marianna
How do you make sense of chaos in your life?
Marcus
Chosen principles help make sense of chaos in life. I know that every day I’m doing some or all of the following: write some new music, listen to or analyze some new music, learn/solve some math, play instruments, meditate. This means that I am a constant in my own life. So that when life gets chaotic I know I can look to myself to create regularity. It’s comforting and empowering and the benefits compound over time.
Marianna
Why do you think people get stuck on problems?
Marcus
Because problems are hard! I think mentorship is key to moving forward. As is a community of people to bounce ideas off of. I’m not great in complete isolation. I like to be by myself with awesome people at arm’s length. That way I can take the time to reflect but I can also get perspective when needed.
Marianna
What advice would you offer those struggling with creative blocks?
Marcus
Just show up every day. Eventually, you’ll get past it. Don’t be afraid to be a little bit crazy and try something new. Different activities and ways of life and information to the system that helps solve problems in unexpected ways. Be humble about your work and your life or ideas might not come.
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About Marcus G Miller:
Marcus Miller wants to spread curiosity, imagination, and beauty through his work in music, mathematics, and other fields of interest.
He began studying saxophone at age nine and, with the help of world-renown saxophonist Bruce Williams (Roy Hargrove, Juilliard, World Saxophone Quartet), developed a passion that put him on stage at 13. With gifts extending beyond music, he graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Mathematics. After a short stint at a major hedge fund, he moved to New York City to pursue music. He soon developed a reputation as a versatile and virtuosic player, while studying music production and engineering under Grammy-Winning Engineer “Bassy” Bob Brockman (Notorious B.I.G, Herbie Hancock, D'Angelo).
Marcus has performed at the Obama White House, Madison Square Garden, The World Economic Forum at Davos, The Montreux Jazz Festival, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert alongside Jon Batiste, Carnegie Hall. In addition, he has worked with musical giants ELEW and Jazzmeia Horn. He works as a teaching artist at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and was noted as an Artist of Distinction by the state of New Jersey.
Marcus maintains his interest in mathematics and physics by giving talks and performances that combine Math and Music. He has spoken at the University of Michigan, Istanbul, University of Georgia, Brown University, Hong Kong, TEDSummit 2019 in Edinburgh, and TEDxOttawa 2019. He has also held a regular series at the National Museum of Mathematics in New York City. He hopes to encourage people to become more aware of the beauty in mathematics and the power of imagination.