SOUND OF THE WEEK PT. 55: MILA V

This week´s star is the Dutch singer Mila V based between Amsterdam and London. She charms us with her deep, mysterious voice, supported by enticing, edgy rythms.

Could you tell me how you came to music as a tool of creative expression? 
I was singing from a young age and writing poetry, I always had the desire to make my own music but it seemed like such a big mountain to climb I did not know where to begin. When I was studying at Saint Martins, I started to move more toward film and using myself in it as a form of performance art. That’s when I started to learn how to produce and I was creating these more abstract soundscapes to go with my films. Once I started combining it with my own vocals, I really started to express my inner turmoil through music and used it as a tool to express everything I feel. It’s almost now I have to make music to process things. 

Are there any subcultures or historical events that inspire you? 
I feel like the subculture that probably inspired me the most is Emo as I was a part of it. It’s kind of funny to see it is making a comeback now and how things always find their way back in their own way. When I was 15 I had the full black side fringe, baggy extremely tight skinny jeans with oversized boxers, brass knuckle belt, madonna piercing going on and was taking the train everywhere to go to these deathcore concerts. I feel like the intensity and heaviness of the music is something that sticked I just express it in a different way. 

Browsing through the lyrics of your song, the line “They keep talking and I keep walking closer to my grave” really caught me. May I ask you how you view death? Is that something that scares you? 
I think it’s used metaphorically here for balancing on an edge of not knowing what’s right for you. But it’s also a way of being able to express the heaviness I feel inside at times. 

Could you tell me more about the creation and inspiration of S.N.C.L? 
S.N.C.L. did not have a particular inspiration, but I was jamming on my Elektron analogue rhythm drum computer and than at some point I had this beat that somehow reminded me of early 2000 pop songs I used to listen to at the time and thought it would be interesting to mix it with my sounds. So I started adding more acid sounds and strings from my synths and that’s how S.N.C.L came to life. I usually make the instrumental before the lyrics/vocals.

Is `Smile Now Cry Later´ a call for a more hedonist approach to life? 
Not necessarily, I think it’s more of an honest reflection of a moment in time where you don’t really know what is good or bad for you. Accepting that you might have to spiral for a bit to get out of a hopeless situation that took a lot of energy from you.

Besides all religious images of heaven and hell, do you have your own concept for these places? 
Heaven or hell are two very extreme opposites. I think my own concept of these places if more finding a balance in life where there is space for all sorts of feelings and learning how to manage them, which I guess I a lifelong process.

Your voice is truly hypnotic! Do you think, having a deep and full voice as a woman has any significance? Knowing your own voice and finding strength in learning how to use it instead of thinking you have to sing like someone else, gives significance, regardless of gender. 

Is there a musical instrument/ sound you cherish a special relationship with?
Yes, my first analog synth. It’s a 90s Yamaha I got on Dutch eBay. The man that sold it to me said he used to be a big raver and would make loads of music with it but he couldn’t anymore because of heart problems. I almost felt like it was my duty to continue to cherish his instrument and I have (partially) made most of my songs with it, so it’s become very dear to me.

Could you tell me more about the creative process of S.N.C.L?
I collabed with creative director Indiana Roma Voss once again, but this time we teamed up with Creative 3D Studio Post Neon, I actually met them at an illegal rave and we liked each other’s work and wanted to collaborate. When we were brainstorming we thought of creating this kind of, still recognizable, demon version of myself, to kind of portray battling your own demons. That is the cover image, but the video will come soon, and it’s a ride, so stay tuned!

 Is there something, any field, genre, or activity you would like to try in your creative journey any time soon?
There are new things I want to try every day, I think right now I would love to collab with more instrumentalists of different sorts, as up till now it has just been me making my own music. I’m excited to see what would come out of that. 

Here is her personally created playlist for Fräulein:

Interview Yuliya Maltseva

Picture courtesy of Zahra Reijs,