Milian
Origin: None
Milian is an American music producer and songwriter. Raised in Los Angeles, Milian had grown up being surrounded by all different types of music. He became very interested in the different ways music can bring out feelings in people. With a wide spread love for different genres, he became involved in production and has been creating and evolving his own music ever since.
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When I was five my mom gave me a Billy Idol cassette tape and from that point on I knew music would have a large impact on my life-one way or another. I make music that I like and for how I feel when I’m making it. Although EDM is primarily what I produce, if I feel like making an indie rock song or a hip-hop record I will. All music has a place in my heart, and making the music for how you’re feeling makes the track come out so much better every time. Music is awe-inspiring for me. Taking everything that happens in life into account, music and the creation of it is such an all-encompassing process for the things people feel. I don’t know of anything other than music that can non-invasively make you instantly feel a different way than you did a moment ago.
Interview
Home Town: Agoura Hills, CA
Currently Living: North Hollywood, CA
Origin Of Name: My full first name is Maximilian so I just used the last part of it.
Weapon of Choice: A large cup of coffee and Ableton Live
Source of Power: My influences range from a lot of areas. Silversun Pickups, Oliver Sykes, Diplo, Jay Z, Skrillex, The Neighbourhood, Dillon Francis, Knife Party, Tyler The Creator, Sleeping with Sirens. It changes all the time, the list could go on and on for my influences.
Was there one particular moment in the recording or mixing process for your Discovery Project entry that made you feel like you were creating something pretty damn special?
When I was making the song that won me the Discovery Project spot, which was also my debut—the first song I had ever released. The track “Motion” just felt effortless in the process of making it initially. Effortless because I wasn’t killing myself over what to do with it, it just came natural. I already had the track and idea in my head and I just knew what to do. I think when you go into the studio with the idea already in you, the track comes out reflecting your feelings—and hearing that come back out of the monitors will always feel pretty damn special.
What do your parents think of what you are doing?
My parents are actually incredibly supportive about what I am doing. I couldn’t ask for a better support system than my mom and dad. My mom said she wants to come watch me perform when it comes time to play another Insomniac event. They even bought my plane ticket to go perform at EDC Orlando. They’re nothing short of amazing, those two.
Tell me about your most memorable night out as an artist or as a fan.
My most memorable night out as an artist and as a fan would definitely be the night I played EDC for the Discovery Project. Sitting side stage before my set thinking my first time ever playing a show was going to be one of the largest music festivals in the world. I was so nervous I think I peed like seven times in a row before getting up on stage. Once I was up there, I calmed down. I remember feeling the sound system on those stages for the first time and being blown away, almost literally, by how powerful those speakers are. That was the most fun hour I’ve had and the feeling of playing that first set and my first ever released track will remain with me forever. It will always be something to look back on and remember how great it felt to be doing what all the people I look up to do.
What is your ultimate career dream?
My ultimate career dream is to travel the world touring, playing shows for thousands of screaming fans who want to hear me play my music for them. I don’t think it really gets better than that, knowing what I made on my little laptop by myself one night is making that many people so ecstatic. Having such a positive effect on that many people and watching that effect happen in front of you…that is fucking amazing.
How important is it for you to experiment and take on the risk of failure?
Very. I think if you stick to the norm all the time with your music, it will always just be average. And not that that is bad, it’s just not the route I prefer. I like hearing songs that are weird and things I haven’t heard before that makes me take the time to find out who made it and go look them up and become a fan. And that is the type of music I want to make for others and myself.
Do you have a list of people you’d like to collaborate with in the future?
I would love to work with Skrillex, his music has always resonated with me. He was the artist that actually inspired me to start producing. His music is always exciting and experimental, his production quality is very impressive to me. And even more inspiring is the fact that most of his tracks were made on headphones while traveling and not in some million dollar recording studio.
What sound or noise do you love?
I love a good strong sub bass, it’s that perfect mix when you’re no longer listening with just your ears but also now feeling it physically hit you. When you’re at a show or in the studio and you hear/feel the subs fire, it’s a really enthralling feeling to me.
Do you have a secret passion?
I don’t know about how secret it is but motocross has been a gigantic passion of mine all my life. I’ve been riding since I was a little kid and I don’t think I will ever stop.
What advice would you offer someone thinking about entering the Discovery Project competition?
I would tell them to definitely go for it. From my experiences, everyone at Insomniac is incredible; they’re very helpful and care about you and love what they do. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by entering. You get to stand on stage at an Insomniac event and play your music, which is what a lot of us who produce electronic music dream of doing. The Discovery Project gives you that opportunity. It was the most fun, exciting, nerve racking time I’ve ever had.
Winning Track:
Winning Mix:
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