Jake Miller's 'Based On A True Story' Is His Best Work Yet

Jake Miller is only getting better.

On Friday (March 29), the 26-year-old singer-songwriter dropped his EP BASED ON A TRUE STORY, which is easily his most mature, evolved, and downright best music to date. The six-track project comes just over a year since the release of his album, Silver Lining, and it's clear Jake has spent the past year growing and evolving as an artist.

Jake's growth is apparent on each and every track. From his heartfelt, authentic lyrics to his head-bobbing beats, Jake's progression is almost tangible. While there's no mistaking his usual Jake Miller sound, it's clear the Florida-born artist has stepped into a lane of his own.

The one man show, who both produces and writes his own music, has come a long way from his days of rapping over a beat, which, as he admitted, is something he's happily "grown past." While he acknowledged his growth may be "disappointing" to some fans, he's living in his truth, delivering the most authentic music of his life, which he sincerely hopes his fans connect to.

Scroll on to read our Q&A with Jake!

How do you think this EP compares to your previous work?

Musically it’s on a whole other scale. I’ve tried and I succeeded with multiple different things I’ve never tried before on this EP, [like] a live saxophone player, a choir. I played a lot more electric guitar. And I just think the songwriting is better. I [also] had it mixed and mastered properly this time. I mix and master my own music normally, but I figured this time I’m gonna let the guy who does Beyoncé's mix my stuff.

What's the vibe of Based On A True Story?

Since [the EP] is only six songs I wanted all six to sound very different from one another. There’s one song, in particular, that sounds like it could be a country song. There’s one song that feels like Bruno Mars. "Wait For You" feels a little '80s. "Nikes" is also '80s — the chorus, the drums are very 80s in "Nikes." There’s a song, "What If We Ever Fell in Love," that’s the saddest song I’ve ever written. There’s a choir on [that track].

Tell me more about "What If We Ever Fell in Love." What's the story behind it?

It’s basically about thinking you have somebody in your back pocket, but then realizing what if they fell in love. What if they found somebody and moved on. So it’s like maybe they won’t be in my back pocket forever and maybe I should make a move. It’s pretty emotional.

How do you get to these vulnerable, emotional places to create these raw songs?

I’m drawing from real experiences. I was in a long relationship. I got out of it. I literally wrote a million songs about it. I think I’ve written some of my best music feeling kind of vulnerable and emotional about it. So I like to just write about nostalgic things like growing up when I was 15 and when we didn’t have any cares in the world. Those kind of songs are the best and the most fun for me to write.

Now let’s talk about "Wait for You," the first single you released from Based On A True Story. What was your inspiration for that song.

"Wait for You" is just about waiting for somebody that you love. They might not be in the right timing of their life or they might be fresh out of another relationship, not ready to jump into another one, [but] if they’re worth it, you’re going to wait for them. You’re going to be there waiting for them on the other side when they’re done dealing with whatever they’re going through.

While working on this EP you signed to Sony Red. What's it been like going from being an unsigned to signed artist?

I definitely wanted to deliver the best music yet, knowing that I have Sony Red behind me, knowing that it’s going to be a really big release. For instance, "Wait For You," is the most successful song I’ve put out in years. I’m really glad it’s that song, I know I have to come with my best foot forward now because I have so many people and a label that are working day-in and day-out for me and relying on me to supply them with good music. So I have to meet them halfway with the music, and they can successfully take it and do the rest.

You're gearing up for your next tour, which starts in April. How is it going to be different from your previous tours?

Musically I just think it’s going to be more fun just because I’m growing as an artist. I’m putting out my best music yet and so I’m gonna play the entire EP on tour as well as all the old songs. And I’m bringing my friend Logan Henderson on the road with me — he’s opening. It’s just going to be a killer show.

What do you want people to take away from your music and tour?

I want the fans to listen to this EP and agree with me that it is my best music yet because I really am proud of it and really do love it. So I hope they connect with it as much as I do. I hope every night on tour they’re screaming every word [of my songs]. I know they love the old songs I made in 2013, and that’s understandable because that’s how they found me, but I would love for them to really connect to these new songs the way that I do. I’m so excited to get on the road and play.

This conversation has been edited for clarity and length.

Jake's Upcoming Tour Dates:

April 5 - Washington, D.C. - The Anthem

April 11 - Las Vegas, NV - Vinyl at the Hard Rock*

April 12 - Mesa, AZ - Club Red*

April 13 - Tucson, AZ - The Rock*

April 16 - Dallas, TX - The Prophet Bar*

April 17 - Houston, TX - House of Blues Bronze Peacock Room*

April 19 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room*

April 23 - Nashville, TN - The Cowan*

April 25 - Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore Philadelphia*

April 26 - Asbury Park, NJ- House of Independents*

April 27 - Lancaster, PA - Chameleon Club*

April 28 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza*

April 30 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall*

May 1 - Pittsburgh, PA - The Rex Theater*

May 3 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall*

May 4 - Detroit, MI - The Loving Touch*

May 5 - Chicago, IL - Chop Shop*

May 7 - Minneapolis, MN - The Fine Line Music Café*

May 11 - Tacoma, WA - Alma Mater*

May 12 - Portland, OR - The Hawthorne Theatre*   

May 14 - Oakland, CA - The New Parish*

May 17 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre*

In support of his new EP, Jake has released a bundle that includes a physical and digital download of BASED ON A TRUE STORY. with an exclusive t-shirt and pin set. Fans can purchase the EP bundle via Jake's official Sony Thread Shop web store at shop.jakemiller.com/store. 

Tickets for all shows are available online HERE.

Photos: Derek Freske and Malcolm Joris.