This year, Miller and Beatport have set out to champion up-and-coming music talent through Miller Mix – a new industry-led initiative and event series. As an increasing amount of DJs and producers struggle to break through in the industry, it aims to give local talent the tools and platform needed to make their mark on the scene.
A multi-stop world tour brings the initiative to the heart of various music communities that have long gone under the radar of the mainstream industry. Having touched base in Turkey last July, the most recent leg in Hungary and Kazakhstan saw up and coming talent gifted new equipment and specialist workshops. Later, the individuals were also given a headline spot at each event alongside some of the top local talent and international headliners such as Lilly Palmer, Argy, Gioli & Assia, Shimza, and Armand Van Helden.
As well as sharing opportunities with the talent, Miller and Beatport have been using the journey to spotlight the featuring cities in a new docu-series. From radio stations and club nights to resident DJs and music labels, each short film uncovers the communities spearheading underground music in the six locations, hoping to showcase their unique cultural landscapes long after the initiative has taken place.
The second episode of the docu-series compiles stories and sounds from the Hungarian capital. “It’s a mixture of the eastern and central European music scenes,” explains Kata, the co-founder of Kommenzi. Through her club night, which roughly translates to “come and enjoy,” Kata uses this unique genre to connect people in a city that “isn’t huge but has amazing artists.”
Another feature with local artist Peter Makto shows how Hungarian artists are starting to turn their attention to nurturing next-gen talent. Not only has he established a new studio complex with fellow artist and teacher Hiboo, but Makto heads up his own music school where he teaches teens how to produce music. On an inspiring note, the episode ends with rising talent and Miller Mix competition winner Enicroa sharing how she prepared for the crowds at her first-ever headline gig.
In the third episode of the documentary-series, Miller closely follows the stop in Almaty, Kazakhstan, which again, chronicles the initiative, event, and local sounds. Though almost unheard of in the global scene, the six-minute film captures the hub’s DJs, artists, and producers, who equally champion heritage music and global sounds to create a unique music identity that techno DJ and host on Radio Cómeme Nazira says is “non-conforming and rebellious.” In a wide-lensed look at the Kazakhstan city, Nazira tours the city’s hotspots while the Miller Mix talent Anndi explains how she intends to take Almaty sounds to the world stage.
Meanwhile, Miller and Beatport gear up to take Johannesburg in December where they have announced a new event at the iconic Old Park Station with a line-up featuring Scorpion Kings, DBN Gogo, MÖRDA, Sun El Musician, Shimza, Oscar Mbo, Shamiso as well as Miller Mix’s chosen talent. New events and follow-up Miller Mix documentaries are also scheduled for Australia as well as Georgia in 2025.
Stay up to date on the latest from the Miller Mix initiative by heading to the dedicated webpage or Miller’s Instagram page. You can now follow the docu-series on Beatport’s YouTube channel.
