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Meet Myla Ukrainian American DJ and Producer
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Myla is a Ukrainian American DJ and producer of rave music.
In this episode of the Abeceder work life balance podcast Rest and Recreation Myla and host Michael Millward discuss Myla’s career and how she likes to relax.
Myla has an international profile on the dance scene. She has played on specialist rave Caribbean cruises, in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and the Netherlands, as well as the United States of America.
Myla explains how she plans her DJ shows and how she tries out new music with audiences and uses their reaction to improve her music.
You can find out more about Myla on her website and social media profiles:
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Transcript
Introduction to Zencastr
00:00:05
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Made on Zencastr. Because Zencastr is the all-in-one podcasting platform that really does make making podcasts so easy.
Guest Introduction: Myla, DJ and Producer
00:00:15
Speaker
Hello and welcome to Rest and Recreation, the work-life balance podcast from Abbasida, where we don't tell you what to think, but we are hoping to make you think.
00:00:27
Speaker
I am your host, Michael Millward, the Managing Director of Abbasida. Today i am meeting the Ukrainian-American DJ and producer Myla, who specializes in melodic, techno and progressive house music.
00:00:42
Speaker
Myla is based in Los Angeles, a city I have enjoyed visiting and would gladly visit again.
Travel Club Promotion
00:00:48
Speaker
When I do travel, I make all of my travel arrangements with the Ultimate Travel Club, because that is where I can access trade prices on flights, hotels, trains, holidays and all sorts of other travel-related purchases.
00:01:02
Speaker
You can also access those trade prices on travel by joining the Ultimate Travel Club, which is why I have put a link in the description which has a built-in discount on membership fees.
Myla's Music Journey Begins
00:01:15
Speaker
Now that I have paid some bills, it is time to make an episode of Rest and Recreation that will be well worth listening to, liking, downloading and subscribing to.
00:01:27
Speaker
You'll probably also want to tell your friends, family and work colleagues as well. But now that I've paid those bills, it is time to say hello, Myla. Hi there. How are you?
00:01:39
Speaker
I am very well. Thank you very much and hope that you can say the same. I'm doing great. Thank you for asking. Brilliant. Brilliant. I've been listening this afternoon to your music on your website, djmyla.com.
00:01:54
Speaker
And I like it a lot, but I'm wondering what's been the journey to get to the point where you are ah now in your music career. It's definitely been a long journey and very exciting with ups and downs. And yeah, I'm just so ah feeling so blessed and lucky to do what I love. I love creating music and perform. So yeah, just the the journey is never ends. And I think being very consistent and determined with putting effort every day, that was definitely the key of achieving success.
00:02:29
Speaker
Yes, it sounds like you've worked very hard but you've had a smile on your face. Yes, always keeping it positive and always making sure that i enjoy ah the experience. And yeah, like making music, it's one of the the best things that I like doing. So I feel very lucky to be able to do it every day.
00:02:49
Speaker
Can you remember the first time that you played a musical instrument? I grew up playing national Ukrainian instrument called Bandura growing growing up in Ukraine. And the first time, I think I was like around seven years old. Yeah, I was like, yeah, seven or or eight. I went to music school and I was in music school for five years. The first time I played instrument in my city where I grew up in Ukraine.
00:03:15
Speaker
um Yes, I was performing in a lot of like kids' shows and stuff. And after I was also playing when I went to college. So i was playing instrument for many years.
Creating and Success of 'Feel Love' and 'Sense'
00:03:28
Speaker
So how did you move from Ukraine to the United States? what Was that music connected? ah yes Yes, I moved here for music back in 2016 and it's definitely been a long journey to start because I didn't play my instrument right away i started to learn DJing and yeah, i love DJing and I'm implementing my instrument as some of the songs that I produce
00:03:58
Speaker
it's it's definitely and amazing to implement some of the classical sounds in modern techno music sound and melodic techno. Yeah, I'm probably not your target market, let's be honest.
00:04:11
Speaker
You know, I'm a little bit older, but I do like the dance music. And like I say, I do like your music. And part of the reason I think why I do like it is that although it is very 2026, you know, your latest releases, very 2026 But I can still sort of sense something about, well, they reminded me of my youth.
Evolution of Myla's Music
00:04:34
Speaker
And now that you mentioned that you're incorporating some of the classical sounds into your music, maybe that is the reason why. Yeah. That it's very modern, but you've also got the classical element in there as well.
00:04:45
Speaker
Yes, thank you so much. I'm glad you like it. i' definitely adding some classical sounds in a modern and then blended together. So it's mixed, so it gives like some of the throwback and also modern sound all together.
00:05:00
Speaker
What was the first record that you released? The first record that I released ah was some Feel Love. And yeah, I was just first come up with the lyrics. I was practicing a few times before I went to the studio and recorded. And with all the melody and everything, I created already in the studio. So it was an amazing, productive day in a studio in Hollywood.
00:05:28
Speaker
yeah um Yeah, I think it took me a a yeah like few hours to like start the bass of the song and finish it up releasing. Yeah, it's been set definitely an amazing journey. yeah And of course, the latest track is called Sense, isn't it Yes, the latest ah ah track called Sends and it has been released on Australian label and it got to number 13 on Australian charts. So it's amazing milestone. have never played in Australia yet and it's good to know that I would already have their fan
Unique Performances and Experiences
00:06:04
Speaker
base. So when I'm going to go finally play in Australia, it's I would already have a fan base and people that love my music. It's such a great feeling. Yes.
00:06:14
Speaker
Yeah, you make me think about the Beatles who said, everybody said to the Beatles, come to America, come to America. And they said, well, come when we've got a hit record. And of course, it's all a blowb blow up as soon as people knew them.
00:06:27
Speaker
When you say that you're number 13 in Australia, that is like a really big achievement for a first release in Australia. And I'm wondering, how do you think that your music has evolved?
00:06:41
Speaker
in between that first release and the release of sense. I definitely think it has been evolved ah because also this time is changing. It's become a little but mixed with the dance because I think I did more just techno and I think now it's melodic techno. So has a little mix with like dance. So it's more danceable because I've noticed when I play live shows, it's good to always have some beat going so people going to be able to keep dancing. um
00:07:13
Speaker
Yeah, so I definitely always... experimenting and try to see what song people love so before releasing it I always play my shows and kind of like test to see the crowd reaction of the songs before I release it and yeah to see which one works better and if I find some insights I go back to the studio and I change some some of the like drops or something before i release it it's definitely journey to like see what people like the most
00:07:45
Speaker
Yes. Do you tell the people that it's a new track or are you like just blending it in with everything else and seeing what is happening in the crowd? i've Normally I don't tell people that it's a new song sometimes and I just want to see the reaction, I see how people enjoying it because it's definitely what most the what matters the most ah to see that people really like the song means it's going to be successful.
00:08:13
Speaker
Yes, because the image that I'm getting is you're doing the DJ, you're producing your own music as well as performing the DJ sets where I'm assuming you're using your music and other people's music as well. Yes.
00:08:28
Speaker
You're playing the music, but also it's it sounds as if there's a lot of interaction between you and the audience as well. There is a real connection between you and the audience and you're watching for reactions and adapting the show to reflect the way in which people are reacting to the music that you're playing.
00:08:51
Speaker
Yes, definitely. I'm always observing people's reaction and see what one songs people like most. So after I create my sets around what people enjoy the most. And say I think it's definitely an interesting connection when the music drops and people like really love it and dancing. So it's that's what I love ah doing, to make sure that people have the best time in my shows and are constantly working to make sure my sets are very good and people like having the best time of their lives wants to go to my shows yeah because when you talk about your shows and you're saying you haven't played in australia yet but you've had hit records in australia you're in los angeles at the moment but you're just back from the caribbean where i think you've done something which i never imagined but you've been the dj on a cruise ship the freedom
00:09:50
Speaker
and producing presenting your performing on an actual cruise ship which is i never imagined that djs of your caliber at your level would that there were cruises that people who were into your type of music would be on cruises the friend i'm getting a bit tongue-tied there but i'm sort thinking like the music that you perform and cruise ships there's ah There's a mispatch somewhere around that, because I imagine like older people on cruise ships. but
00:10:23
Speaker
and Well, the cruise... What was it what was it like and The French cruise ship is only adult only, and it's a rave ship. So it's already built for the rave. It's not a regular cruise ship, but whereas a lot of families. It's adult only, and it's a lot of different clubs in the cruise ship. So the music goes like 24 hours, and it's all about
Balancing Lifestyle and Career
00:10:50
Speaker
music. Like the whole cruise ship is about music.
00:10:53
Speaker
so people like ready to dance and since in the beginning people like raving right away and it like the rave it doesn't stop for four days so it's amazing 24 hours a day for four days there is an in the caribbean there is ah a rave ship going for 24 hours four days or four days sounds like great fun yeah i would be exhausted as after it so you if you're performing sets over those four days sir and I suppose you're also engaging in the whole rave culture as well.
00:11:28
Speaker
You must come away from something like that completely exhausted. Well, I had a lot of fun. i love also go and listen to other DJ play to get inspiration and just see what other artists work on. So I was attending different shows as well just to see. i had some of my friends playing there too. And yeah, it's like 24 hours non-stop for four days. The party is going on and on. And my show was amazing. People were like so ready to dance right away and already like warmed up and just want to have good time. And I was playing once we were a cruising ship back to Miami and the waves were kind of big. So I remember like playing and we were going, we were had like some motion like going back. like had like sea motion and i was like wow this is such an amazing moment it sounds like great fun it's like um yeah a bit of a rough sea rave having a party can imagine it's like must have been great fun yeah it was a lot of fun brilliant yeah you've also been at the sundance spotlight as well haven't you
00:12:39
Speaker
Yes, I just got back recently from Sundance and it was amazing. It was the last Sundance in Park City, Utah. And it's been going on, i not don't remember how many years exactly, but many years it's been going on in Sundance. Utah Sundance and it was the last Sundance, so it's very historical moment for film industry and music and I was playing set alongside Cascade ah in a very iconic place in in Park City where basically all the Sundance started so it was a very special moment to be able to yeah basically do like a closing party for a Sundance
00:13:21
Speaker
What's planned now for thee the rest of the year? think you're heading to South America? Yeah, I'm heading to South America in May. And that's the plan. And also, i have a show. so Miami Music Week is going to be super fun and the March. So yeah, a lot of amazing plans for 2026. And I'm just super excited to experience it all and make amazing music and share it with people.
00:13:49
Speaker
Yes, it sounds like it's going to be great fun and something that you're passionate about and enjoy. But, you know the older person here in this conversation is me. And I'm thinking, yeah, there's a lot of late nights. There's a lot of traveling, jet planes, all this sort of thing, cruise ships.
00:14:07
Speaker
It must, well, it must be exhausting as well. Well, the traveling part sometimes can be like hard, but that's why I'm always keeping a very healthy routine. i like my um My diet, like I eat very healthy. i don't drink alcohol. don't smoke. So I think I'm keeping very healthy lifestyle. right And I always make sure I get sleep.
00:14:32
Speaker
So dose and drink water, all of these things to make sure I'm staying healthy and it gives me be like able to have energy and keep going. But what do you do to relax?
00:14:45
Speaker
I like to get massages. I like to go to walk on the beach, to go hiking, to do yoga. i Like spend time in a nature gives me a lot of like recharges me and like relaxes me for sure.
00:14:59
Speaker
So you're part of the nighttime culture economy, and yet when you're relaxing and in your leisure time, you're out there with nature. it's it's They're complete opposites, aren't they, really?
00:15:13
Speaker
It's true, yeah. It's very much needed to have also peaceful, silent time in the nature after big raves, to recharge, to like reconnect with the nature. So I definitely always try to keep balance.
00:15:28
Speaker
You'll be out, I suppose, in the mountains around Los Angeles? Yes, there's a lot of beautiful mountains, a lot of amazing hikes. And you're not just walking, you're using the word hike, which means that you must be taking on some serious slight mountains and long-term, lengthy hikes into the mountains. It's not just a ah gentle stroll that you're doing.
00:15:51
Speaker
Well, yes, it's pretty big mountains ah around Los Angeles. Sometimes I go on like longer hikes. and There are some amazing hikes in Malibu and like a lot of different locations. So sometimes I go on a longer hikes, like four hours, or sometimes I just goingnna do like one hour hike just to basically do cardio. And all like normally I walk with very like high inclines. Basically, it's like cardio. Yes, I can see what you mean. It's getting out there, into the outdoors, get fresh air and sunshine.
00:16:28
Speaker
and yeah I can see how that would be a counterbalance to all the hectic travel, the pressure of getting flights and planes and the performing and all of the the stress and strains of that. and then having It sounds like a very conscious, deliberate decision to make sure that you are having a healthy lifestyle.
00:16:51
Speaker
The healthier you are, the more you can enjoy making the music and and the whole nighttime type culture. So when did you get into that type of balance? Was it something that is just as you were, it's always been a part of the case?
Adapting Music for Audiences
00:17:07
Speaker
Or was there a moment where you thought, yeah, I can go down one route in the music industry?
00:17:13
Speaker
and the nighttime culture, or I can go down the route that you've taken. Was there a moment where you so where you had to make that choice or at all? Well, I think, like, especially drinking, like, because it's nighttime, and so I think drinking the next day, I would feel very, I need, like, a few hours to, like, recharge. So I decided, like, why would I do that if it's not productive? So I think, like, what... Like, don't drink at all is definitely one of the ways, the one I think was, like, the most changing, that that I feel more energy, that I don't have to be, like, the next day hangover or something. I think I've definitely had, like, these decisions that it's not really beneficious to me, and, like, why would I do it? So I think, like, a lot of conscious decisions that I make along the way, and it's been definitely, like, very productive, like,
00:18:09
Speaker
and good choices. Yeah, I get the feeling that people could describe you as being dedicated to your art, with the the production of music, the writing of music, and the performing of music, both with yourself and with other artists as well. And it's... I get the feeling almost that um you come across as someone who is a very nice, polite...
00:18:38
Speaker
person but the core of you is like very dedicated to what it is that is your passion know there's no fluffiness about about oh yeah we'll do a bit of this we'll do a bit of that you are dedicated to the creation of your unique sound and making sure that it gets to as many people as possible i think Thank you so much. Yes, I definitely love what I do and I love making music and sharing with people and see people having fun and enjoying. ah Yeah, I just love seeing people happy, like love my music. It's very special.
00:19:16
Speaker
And one of the things I think that I've noticed recently is that there seems to be a growing trend with female performers that you take control of of every aspect of the music that you are creating. So you write it yourself, you write your own lyrics, you create the music yourself, you're producing the music yourself and then also deciding how and when you are going to release it and how and when you're going to perform it as well.
00:19:45
Speaker
But never to the point where this is what I have produced and you can either like it or not it doesn't matter like you're saying you are testing it with the audience judging their reactions to it and then taking it back and editing it tweaking it improving it so you must be able to sort of like i suppose assess how the structure of the music that you produce is likely to create a specific or potential reaction within a crowd at a performance.
00:20:19
Speaker
Would that be fair that you can actually sort of put something into the music and think if I put this particular sequence of sounds together in this production, then that is likely to create this type of reaction within a crowd.
00:20:35
Speaker
Yeah, sometimes you never know. Sometimes um I make songs and I think like, okay, it's good, but I don't know if I will release it, I need to test it out. the So I would be like, not 100% sure. and But I would play it and I see amazing people reaction and it's like, yeah, people really like it. Or sometimes I would think ah like it's amazing and there is no reaction. So I think you never know. It's very important to really test it many times. in like in different crowds and see the crowd's reaction because since I've been listening to the the same song for so many times sometimes I can like call already and kind of get confused but people when they hear it for the first time you can just like clearly see the feedback either it's a good reaction or there is no reaction so that's why it's very important to test it out playing in the live shows and see what is working
00:21:32
Speaker
So in that respect, if you've got a live show in somewhere like Los Angeles, then a live show on a cruise ship, and then you're going to be doing live shows in Brazil and Argentina during May, almost like you go on a tour, so to speak, but do you adapt the music for the local culture?
00:21:54
Speaker
Or is it, this is the Mila music and this is what people are coming to hear, or do you adapt it to the local culture and the local dance scene? and Definitely adapted to the local culture. I was playing in Amsterdam for Amsterdam dance event. And I know that Amsterdam is big in techno and the like even more like harder techno. So i definitely I definitely prepared the playlist just for that. To have more like a harder style, like a little faster too.
00:22:25
Speaker
So because I know people love like more of a harder style of techno and not... and No melodic, but more like just techno. Because I've been there before and I already knew it, so that's why prepared the playlist more like harder style.
00:22:43
Speaker
And for example, when i play um when I play in Mexico, I would try to add a lot of like songs that have Spanish vocals. so people will be able to like maybe sing along or even understand the vocals. So I definitely always try to adapt to the place where I'm playing, but always keep still my yeah my niche, like my sound.
00:23:08
Speaker
That's one of things that makes you different, for ex example, because you you can produce the music and change the music during the concert, I suppose, because you're mixing the various different tracks together.
00:23:22
Speaker
So before I go to the show, i prefer, like already know, like, okay, if I'm going to play like in Amsterdam, I will prepare this playlist, like more of the hardest style. So normally just try, I always like to prepare and before the show.
00:23:38
Speaker
Yes, it's more technical. There's more research that goes into it than I had imagined.
Future Ambitions and Conclusion
00:23:44
Speaker
But you obviously love it. And I loved listening to your music as well.
00:23:49
Speaker
and it's great to know that you've got everything you've sort really thought about the life that you want to have the music the health and well-being and the the time when you're not actually performing as well you seem to have got everything very uh sorted out in lots of ways and you're on a very positive route i hope that you're going to be even more successful it's like you're rolling off all these countries and i think you might Yeah, you haven't mentioned the United Kingdom yet. when
00:24:20
Speaker
When will you be in the United Kingdom? I would love to play in the United Kingdom. um I don't know yet, but when when ah when it's happened, I'm super excited for it. I actually never been the United Kingdom. i'm I'm really looking forward to go.
00:24:36
Speaker
Well, I hope it's not too long before you actually get to play here as well, but But today, Myla, I have so enjoyed our conversation. It has been brilliant. Thank you very much. I know you're very busy.
00:24:47
Speaker
really appreciate you taking the time out of your schedule to to talk to me today. Thank you very much. Thank you so much. And it was amazing. It was a pleasure. so great meeting you. And I hope I'm going to be playing in the UK very soon.
00:25:01
Speaker
That would be great. Thank you. I am Michael Millward, the Managing Director of Abusida. And in this episode of Rest and Recreation, I have been having a conversation with the Ukrainian-American DJ and producer, Myla.
00:25:16
Speaker
You can find out more about both of us by using the links in the description. But Myla, you're on Instagram, you're on YouTube and all of the various different streaming channels, and you've got your own website as well. What is the address for your website?
00:25:33
Speaker
It's M-Y-L-A-T-K-A-C-H-E-N-K-O. Thank you very much. At Rest and Recreation, we believe in living healthy lives. An important part of staying healthy is knowing the risks early. That is why we recommend the health tests from York Test, especially the annual health test.
00:25:55
Speaker
The annual health test from York Test provides an assessment of 39 different health markers, including cholesterol, diabetes, various vitamin levels, organ functions, and deficiency. The list goes on.
00:26:07
Speaker
The annual health test is conducted by an experienced phlebotomist who will complete a full blood draw at your home or workplace. Hospital standard tests are carried out in a UK AS accredited and CQC compliant laboratory. You can access your easy to understand results and guidance to help you make effective lifestyle changes anytime via your secure personal wellness hub account. There is a link and a discount code in the description.
00:26:35
Speaker
I'm sure you will have enjoyed listening to this episode of Rest and Recreation as much as Myla and I have enjoyed making it. So please give it a like and download it so you can listen anytime, anywhere.
00:26:47
Speaker
To make sure you don't miss out on future episodes, please subscribe. Remember to tell your clubbing friends about it as well. Remember that the aim of all the podcasts produced by Abbasida is not to tell you what to think, but we do hope to have made you think.
00:27:03
Speaker
Until the next episode of Rest and Recreation, thank you for listening and goodbye.