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John
Mills was born in Melbourne in 1953 and grew up in a musical
household. When his cousin gave him an electric guitar at
age ten, his love for the instrument was born. Like most
young people of that time John followed the meteoric rise
to fame of the Beatles, learning to play just about everything
they wrote, by ear. Throughout his school years he formed
several bands, developed an interest in blues as well as
a passion for Jimi Hendrix, then at nineteen, decided to
undertake a formal study of the classical guitar.
 John
developed a career as both a teacher and performer and spent
many hours writing and composing. As John says, "I
find the process of writing/composing quite mysterious;
I don't set out to write anything in particular, but more
through improvisation and meditation a piece will begin;
lines and themes rattle around inside, quite often for months
on end, and then something complete emerges. There are some
pieces that I have been working on for years and have yet
to find any completion, while others may be finished in
a few nights. The feedback I get about my writing can range
from that piece is so tranquil, to your music seems to dabble
on the edges of darkness or that is such a sad piece…...I
like that my music can be all those things; I like the idea
of being able to shake someone a little into feeling a response."
When
asked about what motivates him to compose, John said this:
"I
can't begin to imagine my life without music: it has been
a glorious constant, bringing comfort and joy, echoing sorrow
and hinting at wondrous paths to explore along the way.
Like nearly everyone I know, at least those I want to know,
I wish for a world where we can be kinder, more generous
and merciful towards each other. I write my music with no
political intentions; just the hope of sharing something
with you that might shine a little light into some dark
corner. Keep dreaming, keep hoping and keep gazing at the
moon....."
John
has completed four CD's and
has written and recorded pieces for "High
Country Life". His work has been highly acclaimed
in America and his CD's are released independently here
in Australia.
John's
music is independently recorded and available on the Newmarket
label.
www.newmarketmusic.com
John
expresses his gratitude:
"I
am enormously grateful for the continuing support and assistance
from Adrian and Barb Hannan at The
Songstore, who have always understood what my music
has been about, and given life to my ideas. Thank you guys."
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