Rich Conversations: 012. Ethan Miller

Show notes from episode 012 of Rich Conversations with Ethan Miller. Answers are cut down to fit into writing format.

How long have you lived in Chicago?

About six and a half. Almost seven years. I’d almost have citizenship by this point.

What’s your neighborhood like?

We’re in Lincoln Square. Right on the edge of Albany Park. It’s an odd combination because if you go a little west it’s a Hispanic neighborhood and this is an old German neighborhood.

If you have an open Saturday, how would you choose to spend it?

Generally I’m working weekends at the bar. Being in the stand-up scene, I have a lot of comic friends. I’d probably pop in and see some of those shows. I’d spend time with my girlfriend. We’ll go out for a nice dinner and spend a lot of money on some nice food. Whenever I can I’ll go to a Blackhawk game. Sometimes I’ll do nothing at the apartment, and I’ll watch stand-up or work on my own. I’m a tattoo apprentice right now, so draw a lot of my time.

When you think of Chicago, what colors do you imagine first?

I was thinking about the color red. A lot of the places I spend in my “free time” have red. At restaurants and comedy scenes. You’re bathed in red light.

What’s your proudest moment as a Chicagoan?

My friend Alex runs—for lack of a better term—warehouse parties. It’s primarily funk musicians. I half-jokingly volunteered to host a night. I’d do a short comedy set before and introduce the bands. There’s an energy dynamic that’s different between loud brass music and stand-up, but there’s a rule with stand-up though: you always do your time. So I went up there and started talking, but I couldn’t hear myself out of the monitors. It went terrible. It was SO loud. Despite knowing I could just pull the plug and no one would know, I stayed up there and did my time.

If someone were to visit you from out of town, what restaurant would you take them to?

People like getting pizza, so I’d take them to Pequod’s. There’s a spot close to here called Gather—a farm to table spot. They have this large ravioli that’s phenomenal. That’s one of my go-to spots. Au Cheval is on that list. Burgers and fries done up—no one’s going to complain.

What’s your hidden gem in the city?

It’s actually a bar you turned me on to. A place called Victor Bar. This nice cocktail spot near you. After you told me about it, coincidentally, the owner came into our bar and I met him. Also Cho Sun Ok near there as well. Korean BBQ.

What sound do you most affiliate with Chicago?

There’s such a haven of horn-driven music in the city. That roaring trumpet/trombone. Even if you go into blues clubs, there’s always a saxophone player. There hasn’t been a recent show I’ve gone to where there’s not a horn player. Outside of New Orleans, there’s no city like that.

What music influenced you the most during your time in the city?

A lot of my favorite music right now is from the New-age hip-hop scene. My favorite artists right now are chill-wave rappers. Low key transient beats like Saba. It’s good music to create things too. If you listen to what they’re saying, it’s important things, but it’s great for background too. Kind of like J Dilla.

What’s a common scene you see in your daily interaction with the city?

Working at a bar, I see a lot of connection. Friendships forming. There’s something positive about that in general.

If you were given secret information that Chicago were to be destroyed in one week, what’s one quality you would keep to rebuild the city?

There’s a popular saying in the comedy scene: “You go to New York to get paid. You go to LA to get famous. And you go to Chicago to get good.” There’s something about that mentality. Even this showcase coming up this weekend, we have some bigger names. The fact that these guys would even consider it just to have more stage time.

What’s one thing would you do to improve your neighborhood or the city as a whole?

I feel like there’s such a specific demographic for each neighborhood. I wish our neighborhoods were more integrated. Sometimes it bothers me. Like why is it when you cross the river it’s a Hispanic neighborhood?

When people learn you’re from Chicago, how do they respond and what’s your reaction?

I was in New York recently for my sister’s graduation and someone heard I was from Chicago. “Gun violence and you love Kanye West.” I have friends in St. Louis who visit here and prepare like they’re entering a war zone—and St. Louis has a higher per capita murder rate.

When you feel overwhelmed or need a mental escape but can’t leave the city, where do you go to clear your mind?

Over the winter time, I do tend to go into Laugh Factory. Just sit and hang out in the back and laugh. Over the summer time—I have a motorcycle—and I’ll ride from the bottom of Lakeshore to the top. You get some wind in your face.

What’s something you’re curious about recently?

Tattoo trends. Minimal artwork. Right now, geometric shapes are popular. Henna-like designs. That’s really popular.

Within the past five years, what personal realization has improved your outlook on life the most?

I feel like I’m a lot more confident in myself and my abilities. Knowing when I’m outside of my depth. If you’re new in something you’re doing, no one is going to get mad at you. Being able to use that to learn and ask for help. You don’t have to have all the answers all the time. You can always be learning.

What’s something you’re excited or dream about in the future?

I want to play a theatre show. I don’t care if I’m hosting or performing. A big room—like what you see on a Netflix special. I’d like to be on one of those stages. Whatever that may look like.