Harland Miller - writer, artist, Rachel Weisz's interviewer for AnOther 21, and, over the next fortnight, AnOther’s Guest Lover. Born in Yorkshire, his work speaks of a vast range of inspirations and influences as befits his early peripatetic
Harland Miller – writer, artist, Rachel Weisz's interviewer for AnOther Magazine Issue 21, and, over the next fortnight, AnOther’s Guest Lover. Born in Yorkshire, his work speaks of a vast range of inspirations and influences as befits his early peripatetic lifestyle and the accompanying array of oddities that he has seen and experienced. His first novel starred a kid travelling round the North of England with a David Bowie impersonator, while later paintings recreate scuffed Penguin Classics, tweaked with sardonic humour, woven with an intangible melancholy. Represented by White Cube, his work has featured in shows at the Royal Academy, Kunsthalle, Mannheim and the ICA in London.
Over the next two weeks, Miller shall be showcasing his favourite things, starting with the soon-to-be-released Jarvis Cocker’s Mother, Brother, Lover; a compendium of lyrics from the frontman of Pulp, one of the UK’s most beloved musical figures. Intertwining poetry, revelations and essays on artistic preoccupations, the book is an unconventional take on autobiography, as befits one of pop music’s true mavericks. Here Miller discusses his choice of the book, and talks more about lyrical inspiration past and present…
Why is Jarvis Cocker's book your favourite thing?
I always loved Pulp – especially the lyrics which were actually all about me.
Which is your favourite song by Jarvis?
The Fear.
What happened at your first meeting with Jarvis?
Our first meeting was at a karaoke bar neither of us did any singing but we chatted and got on and yeah, I've seen a fair bit of him since then.
What is your favourite lyric of any song?
"Finished with my woman ‘cos she couldnt help me with my mind" – Paranoid by Black Sabbath.
Any other favourite autobiographies?
The Moon’s a Balloon by David Niven.
What's your favourite bookshop?
I used to like the Anarchists book shop down Walmgate in York - they had books on 'How to ... ' - like How to do India on a pound a day; How to get out of it on a pound a day; How to make a movie on a pound a day…that was a while ago mind, and it's sadly closed down. Now I guess I like Daunt Books on Marylebone High Street.
Which is the book that you wish you'd written?
Dracula.
Mother, Brother, Lover by Jarvis Cocker is published by Faber & Faber, and is released on 20 October.
See Harland Miller's Love Stream here for daily updates of his favourite things.
Text by Tish Wrigley
