Artist Spotlight
In this month’s artist spotlight we bring to you Mylla Issues!
Jen Kendra: It is great to interview you for Black Noise, Mylla! Is Mylla your real name? It is a pretty name!
Mylla Issues: Hi, and thank you so much for thinking of me for this interview! Unfortunately, Mylla isn’t my birth name, but I like being called that because it has a beautiful meaning for me and I really like how it sounds!
JK: You are from Italy. How has being from Italy shaped you and your music?
MI: Yes, I'm Italian and I live in Italy. To be honest, though, I don't think Italy has had a huge influence on me musically, because I've always listened mostly to British and American music. That said, I do think there are some subtle Italian influences in my work. For example, some of my songs have sounds that may remind people of Italo dance. That's also thanks to the producer who worked on most of the tracks on the album, he's a big fan of that genre and also produces music in that style. So, I think you can occasionally hear echoes of the dance music that was popular in Italy in the late '90s and early 2000s. But overall, I'd say British and American artists have shaped my musical background and inspiration almost entirely.
JK: Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?
MI: Absolutely! As I mentioned before, I'm Italian and I was born in a small town very close to Rome. Music has always been my biggest passion. To be honest, I've never really imagined myself doing anything else. It's always been what I wanted to pursue.
I also love traveling, which is one of the reasons I enjoy touring so much. It combines my two favorite things: performing my music and discovering new places. I love exploring cities, wandering around on foot, and experiencing their atmosphere whenever I get the chance. Besides music and traveling, I'm a huge animal lover. And, despite my dark aesthetic, I absolutely love sunny days! People are often surprised when I say that, but I'm very affected by the weather, and gloomy, rainy days definitely aren't my favorite.
I'm also passionate about cinema, especially horror films. My all-time favorite is Suspiria by Dario Argento. I love the atmosphere, the visuals, and the way it blends beauty with darkness. It's a film that has definitely inspired my artistic imagination.
JK: Have you ever traveled to the USA and if so, what was that like?
MI: Yes, I went to the United States a few years ago, and funnily enough, it was my very first trip abroad. I spent a month there with my mother, and it was a really beautiful experience because we didn’t live it as typical tourists, but more as people actually living there. That’s the kind of travel experience I really enjoy.
A local family, which made everything even more special, hosted us. I also had the chance to practice my English a little, although I’m still not very confident and I would like to improve.
We stayed in Los Angeles, California, and of course we visited the most iconic places. Santa Monica, which I absolutely loved, Hollywood, and all those surrounding areas. Initially, I had planned to do a small tour in the north-west of the country this year, but unfortunately there were some complications, and I had to cancel it. Still, I would love to go back one day, because I had such a great experience there.
JK: Your debut album has just been released. What is it and where is it available?
MI: My debut album was released recently, on June 19th. It is mainly a darkwave, synthwave, and EBM record, although you can also notice a variety of musical influences, since I’ve always listened to many different genres of music.
The album consists of 12 tracks. Among them, there are two remixes of one of my earlier released tracks, “Creature of June”, as well as two reworked versions of older songs from the very beginning of my artistic journey. I decided to reinterpret them in a slightly different way without completely changing them but adapting them to better fit the overall mood of the album and, above all, re-recording them in higher sound quality.
It is available everywhere on all major digital streaming platforms, and physical copies can also be ordered. Starting July, it will also be available on vinyl. You can find it on Bandcamp, both through my label Wave Records and on my personal Bandcamp page.
JK: What type of feedback have you received thus far about your music?
MI: So far, the feedback has been really positive, actually, even better than I expected. I'm naturally a bit of a pessimist, or maybe just someone who likes to stay grounded. I love to dream, but I try not to build unrealistic expectations because I don't want to end up disappointed. That's why I've been genuinely happy with the response my music has received. It's been a wonderful surprise, and I'm really grateful for all the support and encouragement people have shown me so far.
JK: Your album was released on Wave Records which is a historic label that has been active in the darkwave and post-punk scene since 2006. How does it feel to have your first album released by a known label, and how was it working with them?
MI: Yes, exactly. It has truly been a huge honor, especially considering that this label has worked with artists that I personally listen to. That alone already made it feel like something special. What made me happiest is that I actually received a contract for a full album very early in my career, when my tracks were still very raw and didn’t really have much credibility yet. But apparently, they were able to see the essence even in those early demos, which in some cases were quite rough recordings.
Working with them has been fantastic. I want to especially thank Alex Twin, with whom I directly communicate, who is the founder of the label Wave Records. Alex Twin He has always been extremely supportive, but above all he gave me complete creative freedom. He simply said we would do this contract for the album, without placing any restrictions on me. That level of freedom meant I could truly express myself without limitations, and I think that is essential for any artist. Creating without constraints is really what allows art to be honest and authentic.
Overall, it has been an amazing experience artistically, professionally, and also on a human level.
JK: You write the music and lyrics on the album. Who else do you collaborate with and what do they do?
MI: The album is essentially the result of a collaboration with several producers. My friend Max Varani, who worked on most of the tracks, mostly produced it. As for the lyrics, those are entirely written by me, I always write my own lyrics and vocal lines. When it comes to the music, it’s more of a collaborative process. Often, I create an initial sketch or idea, and then the producer I’m working with develops it further, giving it a stronger arrangement. Other times, the producer provides melodic ideas that we then refine together. I really enjoy working in this collaborative way, and for this album I mainly worked with Max Varani.
For the tracks “Haunter” and “Creature of June”, including the two remixes, I collaborated with Fluid Ghost aka Adriano Iaguangeli from Echoberyl. For “Cold Hearted Snake”, I worked with the producer Vinagre. All of them are Italian producers.
Overall, I like involving different artists in my process because each collaboration brings a different perspective and helps shape the final sound in a more interesting way.
JK: How has it been working with other artists on your album?
MI: As I was saying before, it has been a very beautiful experience because collaborating allows you to discover things you might never have done on your own. It’s really interesting to blend two different ideas, not necessarily completely opposite ones, because then they would just clash, but rather differences that can create something unique, something you wouldn’t have made alone.
Even though I really enjoy working on my own, especially when it comes to writing where I absolutely need to be alone in my room often at night, for other parts of the process, like mixing or the instrumental side, I really enjoy collaborating.
I believe that this balance between working alone and working with others is what helps create something more original and unique.
JK: How would you describe the type of music you make to others?
MI: I'd describe my music as a blend of darkwave, synthwave, and EBM. It explores esoteric, mysterious, and dark atmospheres, but there's also a strong dreamlike and visionary side that runs through my work.
JK: What made you decide to get into music?
MI: Music is something I've always wanted to do. There wasn't a specific moment when I decided to pursue it, it's simply always been a part of me. It started as a personal need, something I felt I had to express. Seeing how things have developed over time, that need has gradually grown into something much bigger, and I'm grateful to see where it's taking me.
JK: Are you formally trained or self-taught?
MI: I'm completely self-taught. I took singing lessons for about a year when I was around fifteen, but it wasn't a major part of my musical development. Other than that, I've learned everything on my own through practice, curiosity, and experience.
JK: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
MI: I've always listened to a huge variety of music, so it's difficult to choose just a few influences. If I had to name one artist who's always been a major artistic reference for me, it would definitely be Kate Bush. I'd also mention legendary artists like Peter Gabriel, the Pink Floyd, Genesis, and Led Zeppelin. As for the more recent darkwave scene, I'd definitely mention Linea Aspera, Buzz Kull and Ultra Sunn. Those are the first names that come to mind.
JK: What music do you listen to in your spare time?
MI: In my spare time, I tend to stay quite close to my own scene. I listen to a lot of darkwave and coldwave artists. However, I also want to explore other styles. For example, I'm a big fan of Brutalismus 3000, and I also really enjoy classic electronic acts like The Chemical Brothers and The Prodigy. So, beyond the classics, I definitely listen to a lot of electronic music in general, while still staying rooted in the darkwave and coldwave world. Lately though, I’ve mostly been focused on my own scene.
JK: Going back in time, can you remember what some of the first albums you received were?
MI: Yes, I can definitely tell you the first album I ever bought. When I was younger, I used to save most of my money, whether it was pocket money or small gifts, and I would spend it on CDs. That really shows how strong my passion for music has always been. The first CD I ever bought was Under My Skin by Avril Lavigne. I was a big fan of hers for a while when I was a child, and Under My Skin is still my absolute favorite album of hers. So, it's something I’ll never forget. I can also mention two other albums that come to mind. One is Laundry Service by Shakira. To me, it's still her best album, probably also because of the emotional value it has. I bought it when I was very young, even though it had already been out for a while rather than right at its release. The other is Gwen Stefani's first solo album, which is Love. Angel. Music. Baby. I remember that at first I wasn't completely into it when I heard it as a child, but about a year later I revisited it and ended up loving it a lot.
Now, this is a bit outside my current scene, but as a teenager this was part of my musical background, it was quite unexpected, looking back.
JK: Your music explores inner landscapes, dreams, and hidden meanings through evocative and poetic songwriting. How long have you been a writer, and why was it important for you to share your words with the world?
MI: I’ve been writing for several years now. It started quite naturally, almost as a personal need rather than a conscious decision to become a writer. At first, it was just a way to process emotions and make sense of what I was experiencing internally. Over time, it evolved into a deeper practice of exploring imagery, dreams, and the hidden layers of meaning in everyday life. Sharing my words with the world became important to me because I realized that what feels deeply personal is often also universal. I wanted my writing to create a space where others could recognize themselves, feel less alone, or simply pause and reflect. There’s something powerful about turning inner experiences into something that can resonate outside of you.
JK: What do you hope people will take from listening to your music?
MI: First of all, I would like people to take away an experience. I like to think of my album as something that offers a surreal and dreamlike journey, so I hope it leaves listeners with that kind of sensation.
On a more practical and direct level, I would love people to understand that even when you feel different or out of place, you should never feel inferior. In fact, that uniqueness can be your strength. So, it's about embracing diversity and that sense of being outside the box. Another important message, which is also reflected in the album title, is about embracing anger, especially the kind that comes from difficult periods in life and transforming it into something positive, such as art.
JK: The album’s imagery constantly moves between esotericism, witchy symbolism, and dreamlike dimensions. Can you tell us about a couple of your songs and what they mean?
MI: I'd like to talk about two songs that are probably my favorites on the album, even though it's really difficult to choose because I feel deeply connected to every track. They are "R!ot Witch" and "Hollow Way." "R!ot Witch" means a lot to me because it's almost like a manifesto. It combines esoteric imagery, the idea of the witch, with the concept of riot, of rebellion. The song is about embracing what makes you different. There are moments in life when you can feel out of place or like you don't fit in, but instead of letting that bring you down, you can rebel against it. It's about refusing to conform to standards, whether they're about appearance, behavior, or anything else. Everyone can interpret it their own way.
I wrote "R!ot Witch" thinking about my teenage years. I often felt like an outsider, almost as if I were a witch being judged during a witch hunt. At school I was always seen as the different one, but I never let that define me or break me. I chose to fight back and stay true to myself. That's what "R!ot Witch" represents, and I hope it can become an anthem for anyone who has ever felt that way.
"Hollow Way," on the other hand, comes from a completely different place. It's inspired by memories from my childhood. I grew up outside the city, and whenever I went into Rome to visit my grandparents, I was fascinated by the buildings, the streets, the crowds, and I would imagine the lives of all the people around me. Those feelings left a deep impression on me and stayed with me over the years.
That's why I decided to film the music video for "Hollow Way" in that same neighborhood in Rome. It felt like travelling back in time and reconnecting with those childhood emotions. The song was born from those memories and from the sense of wonder I felt as a child, and I wanted the video to capture that atmosphere as faithfully as possible.
JK: You have shared the stage across Italy and abroad with Years of Denial, Shad Shadows, and Beborn Beton. How has it been to perform live with other musicians?
MI: Performing live alongside artists I admire has been an incredible experience. I've had the chance to share the stage with artists like Years of Denial and Shad Shadows, and every show has been inspiring in its own way because I genuinely love their music.
With Shad Shadows in particular it became much more than just a professional connection. Since we're both based in Italy, we developed a real friendship over time. They even hosted my boyfriend and me at their home in Ravenna, and we spent a wonderful weekend together. We're still in touch today.
So, beyond the music itself, it has been incredibly rewarding on a personal level too. Sharing the stage with artists I used to listen to and admire for years is something I never take for granted, and it's one of the most meaningful parts of this journey.
JK: Are there any artists that you hope to work with in the future?
MI: Absolutely. There are actually quite a few artists I'd love to collaborate with in the future. The first ones I'd mention are Shad Shadows. Besides being artists I deeply admire, they've also become close friends, so creating a track together would be really special. I'd also love to work with artists I really look up to, such as Ultra Sunn, Zanias, Madeline Goldstein and Buzz Kull.
To be honest, there are many artists I'd be excited to collaborate with. I really enjoy the creative process of working with other musicians because it always leads to something fresh and unexpected. The idea of creating music with artists I genuinely admire and have listened to for years would be an amazing experience.
JK: Do you have any other creative pursuits?
MI: To be honest, I'm not a very multitasking person. When I find something I'm truly passionate about, I tend to devote most of my energy to it, so music naturally takes up a big part of my life. That said, I do have other creative interests. I love traveling and exploring cities, and I enjoy walking in general, whether it's in nature or through urban environments. I've always been fascinated by metropolitan landscapes, and that fascination often inspires my imagination. I also love cinema, and I really enjoy dancing. I've never had any formal dance training, but it's something I genuinely enjoy, and I think you can see that side of me in some of my music videos. Another subject I'm very interested in is psychology. I find human behavior fascinating, and I love observing and understanding the way people think, feel, and interact with each other.
JK: Besides music, what do you do in your day to day life?
MI: At the moment, I'm finishing my university degree and working on my thesis, so I'll be graduating soon. I felt it was important to have a Plan B alongside music, even though music has always been my true passion. Aside from that, I occasionally help out at my boyfriend's motorcycle shop. So that's pretty much what my day-to-day life looks like outside of making music.
JK: Are there any causes that are especially important to you?
MI: Yes, definitely. As I mentioned when talking about "R!ot Witch," one of the causes I care about the most is embracing diversity and making people feel accepted for who they are. This is something that's very personal to me because, at certain points in my life, I was the "different" one in the group. In my case, it wasn't because of anything specific, I was simply very introverted and found it difficult to connect with other people. But I know that feeling different can happen for so many reasons, and no matter the reason, it can be incredibly painful. I've always had a strong and independent personality, so although those experiences affected me, I was able to keep going. But I know that many people suffer deeply when they're excluded or made to feel like they don't belong, even for the smallest reasons.
That's why this theme is so important to me. I wrote "R!ot Witch" with that message in mind, and also Modern Vampires. That song is also about inclusion and about reminding people that being left out of a group doesn't define your worth.
If there's one message I'd really like people to take away from my music, it's that being different isn't a weakness, it can actually be your greatest strength. And even if you don't feel like you belong right now, sooner or later you'll find your people.
JK: What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
MI: Authentic
Determined
Creative
Observant
Innovative
JK: What is your advice to other aspiring musicians?
MI: The advice I'd give is to always do what you truly love. Of course, it's important to listen to people who genuinely want to help you, especially those who have more experience. But don't let anyone completely change who you are. Stay true to your own ideas and your artistic vision. I believe it's better to make mistakes by following your own instincts than by following someone else's. So, my biggest advice is to stay determined and always be yourself, both as a person and as an artist.
JK: What is next for you in life and music?
MI: Honestly, I can't really say for sure what's next. I can only tell you what I hope for. What I do know is that I'll be performing live again in September, and I honestly can't wait. Right now it's a quieter summer period, so I'm focusing on improving my live set and writing new songs.
I'm really looking forward to the upcoming shows, and I hope there will be more and more opportunities to perform, collaborate with inspiring artists, and meet new people in the industry. My biggest goal is to keep growing, keep chasing my dreams, and hopefully start working on my next album soon.
As for life, I just hope to stay happy and keep moving towards my goals. But I'm not someone who plans too far ahead. I think sometimes we make plans too early, and life ends up taking us in a completely different direction. So, of course I have dreams and ambitions, but I prefer to stay grounded, take things one step at a time, and enjoy the journey.
JK: What are your social media handles, and where can we follow you?
MI: You can definitely follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. You can also find my music on all the major streaming platforms, like Spotify, Apple Music, and all the other music platforms.
You can find me everywhere under my artist name MYLLA ISSUES.
So, if you'd like to follow my journey and stay updated on my music, I'd love to have you there!