The Hours Are Long, But the Pay Is Low
A Curious Life in Independent Music
by Rob Miller
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Pub Date Nov 25 2025 | Archive Date Nov 25 2025
University of Illinois Press | 3 Fields Books
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Description
Rob Miller arrived in Chicago wanting to escape the music industry. In short order, he co-founded a trailblazing record label revered for its artist-first approach and punk take on country, roots, and so much else. Miller’s gonzo memoir follows a music fan’s odyssey through a singular account of Bloodshot Records, the Chicago scene, and thirty years as part of a community sustaining independent artists and businesses.
Hilarious and hundred-proof, The Hours Are Long, But the Pay Is Low delivers a warm-hearted yet clear-eyed account of loving and living music on the edge, in the trenches, and without apologies.
Advance Praise
“Rob Miller’s book The Hours Are Long, But the Pay Is Low delivers a gripping insider’s account of a truly special moment in music and culture. Thanks, Rob, for living to tell the tale.”—Rhett Miller, Old 97’s
“Wow, what a great read/ride. I found Rob Miller’s journey through the music industry fascinating and fun, and when not giggling I was laughing out loud. While obvious in hindsight, the marriage of punk and country was anything but. Yet Miller and his cohorts identified with the punk attitude coursing through many of their favorite bands in Chicago’s underground country scene and thought they could help introduce their music to a wider audience. With instinctual grassroots marketing and a commitment to treat their bands fairly, they outmaneuvered the corporate vultures circling overhead. The musical husbandry of Bloodshot Records produced many musical masterpieces over the next twenty-five years. Bloodshot made the world a better place, and Miller was at the center of it all.”—Jeff Nelson, Minor Threat, cofounder of Dischord Records
“A vibrant, informative, and often hilarious look at a crucial—if undervalued—slice of the music industry. Rob Miller’s book also serves as a moving coming of age story and a richly detailed description of life in Chicago during the 1990s, a time of upstart artistic explosions and the last vestiges of venerable institutions. The Hours Are Long, But the Pay Is Low stands above the slew of books by bigger-name record company founders. While those entrepreneurs seem driven by egos and cash flows, Miller sharply focuses on what the music is all about.”—Aaron Cohen, author of Move on Up: Chicago Soul Music and Black Cultural Power
“Rob Miller’s pseudo-bio of his years with Bloodshot Records covers much musical ground that no foot has yet set upon. He does it with both wisdom and positive enthusiasm for the real and authentic music he played a guiding role in launching. A real treat to read!”—Peter Greenberg, Barrence Whitfield and the Savages
“A gritty, authentic stroll through Chicago’s indie music scene told through the eyes of a fan who loved the music so much he built his life on it. For anyone who wants a glimpse into the scene, the time, the music, or Chicago itself, this book is written for you.”—Kenn Goodman, CEO and cofounder, Pravda Records
“I very much enjoyed reading this book. The tone was entertaining, and I loved the storyline. The writing is emphatic, authentic, and brainy. Miller’s story is one of an outsider—someone who was really struggling, and then slowly becomes enlightened to a whole world that was already there to accept them.”—Rose Marshack, author of Play Like a Man: My Life in Poster Children
“Back in the day, I used to own a hot dog stand. More importantly, I used to trade hot dogs for Bloodshot CDs. I easily won those deals. Being introduced to Bloodshot’s stable of artists was an incredible gift - it was like having the coolest record store delivering its stock direct to my hands every month.”—Doug Sohn, former owner of Hot Doug’s
“I’ve always been so proud to be involved with the Bloodshot Records movement and to witness the impact that Rob Miller has had on the arts community in Chicago and ultimately the world. Everyone who shares his love for the moment and his heart first perspective will delight in this musical journey!”—Mike Miller, owner of Delilah’s
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780252088964 |
| PRICE | $24.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 304 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Sarah J, Reviewer
Book Review: The Hours Are Long, But the Pay Is Low: A Curious Life in Independent Music by Rob Miller
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Overview
Rob Miller’s The Hours Are Long, But the Pay Is Low is a candid, wryly humorous, and deeply personal memoir that chronicles his decades-long journey through the trenches of independent music. As the founder of the influential punk and experimental label Bloodshot Records, Miller offers an insider’s perspective on the DIY ethos, the struggles of sustaining an indie label, and the ever-shifting landscape of the music industry. Blending autobiography with cultural commentary, this book is both a love letter to underground music and a sobering account of its challenges.
Themes and Content
Miller’s narrative is structured around pivotal moments in his career—from the label’s scrappy beginnings in 1990s Chicago to its survival amid industry upheavals. Key themes include:
DIY Ethos vs. Commercial Realities: The tension between artistic integrity and financial sustainability.
Cultural Shifts in Music: The impact of digitalization, corporate consolidation, and changing listener habits.
Community and Collaboration: The importance of grassroots networks in sustaining independent art.
The book excels in its vivid anecdotes—whether recounting chaotic tours, label drama, or encounters with legendary musicians—but it also delves into deeper reflections on labor, passion, and burnout. Miller’s voice is self-deprecating yet insightful, balancing nostalgia with clear-eyed critique.
Writing Style and Structure
Miller’s prose is conversational and engaging, with a sharp wit that keeps the narrative lively. The structure is loosely chronological but frequently digresses into thematic asides, which may frustrate readers seeking a linear history. However, these tangents often yield the book’s most compelling insights. The lack of pretension is refreshing, though some passages could benefit from tighter editing.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
Authenticity: Miller’s unfiltered perspective is both entertaining and enlightening.
Cultural Relevance: Offers valuable context for debates about art, commerce, and independence.
Emotional Resonance: Captures the highs and lows of a life devoted to music.
Weaknesses:
Structural Meandering: Some chapters feel disjointed, jumping between eras and topics.
Limited Critical Distance: While personal, the memoir occasionally misses opportunities for broader analysis.
Section Scoring Breakdown (0–5)
Narrative Voice: 4.5/5 – Witty, relatable, and full of character.
Historical Insight: 4/5 – Rich with firsthand details but occasionally anecdotal.
Thematic Depth: 4/5 – Explores passion and precarity well, though some themes are underdeveloped.
Structural Cohesion: 3/5 – Engaging but uneven in pacing and focus.
Cultural Impact: 4.5/5 – A vital document for indie music enthusiasts and scholars.
Final Verdict
The Hours Are Long, But the Pay Is Low is a must-read for anyone interested in the realities of independent music. Miller’s blend of humor, humility, and hard-won wisdom makes this more than just a label memoir—it’s a meditation on why art matters, even when the system stacks the odds against it. While not a flawless work, its honesty and heart more than compensate.
★★★★☆ (4/5) – A raucous, heartfelt ode to the indie music grind.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author, Rob Miller, for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
