IAN MILLER

Ian was brought up on old New York money. His family owned (and still own) a number of lucrative real estate properties within the city of Manhattan. To say his parents are both money and power hungry, is undoubtedly an understatement. Together they ruled the family with an iron fist, but if anything, their cruelty and capitalist greed drove them away - far away.

Soon after graduating high school, Ian's older sister Elizabeth moved to Morningside Heights, nor far from her family in the upper east side, but far enough to distance herself from their incessant reign of terror and power. There she attended Columbia University on a full ride scholarship, majoring in womens studies. It was apparent neither one of their children wanted to be part of their family's domineering lifestyle, and the smothering business that followed. That being said, Ian is strongly defiant and inherently stubborn. He doesn't allow the wealth and opulence of his childhood define him. After his sister moved out to start a life of her own, ian felt encouraged to do the same.

When he turned 18, and his sister was a junior in college, she decided to let ian room with her in an apartment near the university. They became even closer than before, best friends even, and during rough times they always managed to support each other. they simply relied on one another to get through every obstacle. for elizabeth, it was school; and for ian, it was his adament pursuit to become a musician. he worked a number of odd jobs trying to save enough money to buy a guitar, without the help of his family. around twenty, he started up a band that played around manhattan and brooklyn. eventually, he was recognized by his music and managed to pique the interest of a respected manager. but the opportunity came at the worst time when his sister devastatingly met her untimely demise in a fatal car accident. ian had been the passanger, and witnessed the tragedy of elizabeth's gruesome death.

It was two years ago, but the night is still a vivid and painful memory. Liz had just picked Ian up from a gig and on the way back, the driver's side was hit by a drunk driver. She died on impact, while Ian, in the passenger's seat only suffered from minor cuts and bruises, but the image of his sister left Ian permanently scarred. He had to undergo emotional therapy, but it didn't help. Especially after the attempt to salvage the relationship with his parents. Instead, they blamed him for her poor decisions, and he was once again left abandoned and rejected by his own family. Ian quickly spiraled into a dark depression and became disconnected with the world and himself.

After a year and a half, his sister's death still controls his life. But since then, Ian has tried to pull himself out from the darkness and once again concentrate on the things that bring him solace. everyday spent in new york reminded him of that day, and the guilt ate at him. though he found outlets and each day became slightly easier, he knew he needed to leave. whether he was running away from himself, or because he just needed a break, he didn't care. he moved all the way across the nation to california, where he roomed with a childhood friend who moved out there years ago. Currently, he lives by himself and manages a vinyl record shop, Factory Records, along the coast, while singing and playing guitar for his band, The Great Divide. He occupies his time playing at local bars and pubs for extra cash, but he mostly does it because without music, he would lose himself completely.