Jake Miller's "Based On a True Story" Marks a New Era for the Musician

After teasing fans with a music video featuring a huge snake around his neck and Nikes with a hand-written message on them, Jake Miller’s latest EP is finally here. Premiering on Friday (March 29), BASED ON A TRUE STORY marks a fresh era for the musician. The collection of songs definitely sound like him, but it’s clear that he’s stretching who he is as an artist and experimenting with new things. He’s also got a couple of tricks up his sleeves, which will definitely surprise his legions of fans. That includes a couple of secret messages in the EP’s artwork. So look closely and you might just discover what he’s hidden.

Teen Vogue recently caught up with the musician to talk about creating the EP, being inspired by the ‘80s, working with a giant serpent, and more.

Teen Vogue: How does your new EP BASED ON A TRUE STORY represent who you are as an artist?

Jake Miller: It's definitely a step forward in my music and songwriting. I think you can really tell the difference between this project and the last. I'm experimenting with new sounds and I have a lot of saxophone on some of the songs, I have a choir on some of the songs. I really kind of pushed some boundaries. I'm writing all of my own stuff by myself, I'm making all the beats, I'm doing it all by myself in my bedroom. So, it's just fun to see how far I can take this and grow as an artist, and I'm really, really proud of this EP.

TV: What made you want to incorporate these elements?

JM: I have some friends who are in a choir in New Jersey, and I bring them on stage every time we're in New York and perform “WAIT FOR YOU.” They just did an amazing job on “WHAT IF YOU FELL IN LOVE” on the EP. It's very cool, and it was probably my favorite moment of making the EP, being in the studio and directing this choir. It was another step for me in terms of being a producer.

TV: The “WAIT FOR YOU” music video recently came out and one of the wildest moments was the part with the huge snake around your neck. What was it like filming that?

JM: This guy came with a backpack, it looked like he just had a few books in it. He opens up the backpack, and it's this eight foot long boa constrictor. I wasn't scared of it, but it weighed like 150 pounds, it was really breaking my neck. I'm not the biggest guy, so in between shots, I was like, "You need to take this off me, I'm not gonna be able to walk tomorrow." It was pretty cool. I mean my roommates are my directors, so they shoot all my stuff and I just gave them a hundred percent creative control and I said, "These are the things I kinda want, and I trust you guys." We just wanted to make a really cool, artsy, abstract video.

TV: A lot of the visuals for the EP are very ‘80s-inspired. What’s it been like incorporating that into your work?

JM: I'm a huge fan of ‘80s music. I've just been learning a lot about ‘80s drums, ‘80s baselines, and ‘80s grooves. I've been listening to a lot of that kind of music, and it really just inspires me. It's really easy to move and dance to. I wanted to make sure that “WAIT FOR YOU” had elements of 2019 modern sounds mixed with that ‘80s vibe. So the beginning of the verse and the hook is very 2019 kind of feels like Zedd, then all of a sudden, rhythm change, and it feels like a ‘80s drop. It comes out of nowhere and I was super proud of it when I made it.

TV: I saw on your Instagram that your mom was recently at your show in New York City. What’s it like having your family at your performances?

JM: Pretty much any time I'm in New York playing a show, my parents will fly from Florida because my sister lives here. So it's kind of an excuse to get the whole family together. They'll be out there talking to the fans, taking pictures with the fans. All my fans know my family, so they'll be asking my dad for pictures, and my mom, and my sister.

TV: Are there any secret messages you’ve hidden in your EP?

JM: There's a lot of little eggs that you need to find, on the cover, and discover. But in terms of the music, since it's only six songs, I wanted to make every song different from the previous one. And so there are some really sad ballads, there are some upbeat, funky, Bruno Mars-type songs. And so, I'm just excited for everybody to hear it, and hopefully connect to it as much as I do.

Related: Watch Jake Miller Give His Best Hairspray Impression in His New Music Video

Let us slide into your DMs. Sign up for the Teen Vogue daily email.