Formula Indie Sessions Interview with MILA x Ian Mark
- Introduction of the project
My upcoming project in collaboration with Ian Mark is an album called “Questions I Ask Myself”, releasing on the 16th of January 2026.
The album talks about topics like growing up, daydreams, questions about myself, my surroundings and my future or past that got stuck in my mind, that I asked myself; framed in hopefully groovy and emotional sounds.
- What is your earliest memory connected to music?
Seeing my kindergarten teacher play the guitar and longing to have one myself and be able to play it
- How did your passion for creating music begin?
Singing acoustic pop covers with my guitar in my room growing up
- What’s the story behind your current music project?
Ian and I started writing for this a bit less than a year ago; but we didn’t always know we were going to make an album out of it.
In the process of writing tracks, one day I looked at all of the collected songs and discovered a pattern in the kind of stories I was talking about, and how Ian was musically framing them. It seemed like the music wanted to be tied together as an album – and so we followed that call.
In this phase of my life, I was wondering a lot about what I want to do and where I want to go in life, experiencing a fair share of strong emotions that ended up sparking songs, wondering about relationships, love and friendship, expressing frustrations and hope. The album takes you on an emotional journey of me, a twenty something girl trying to find her way.
- How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
Soft vocals, emotional lyrics, groovy beats, heartfelt instrumentals
- What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Being as honest as I can in my lyrics, daring to go into the flow state – this sometimes seems very scary in the moment because you expose so much of yourself, but it always pays off
- What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
A notebook, a guitar, Ableton Live
- Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Faye Webster, The Marias
- How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
They influence everything. I write about my personal experiences, memories or daydreams – whatever I am going through in my life is reflected in my music. My vision is being shaped as I go, as I am getting to know myself better.
- What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I hope they find themselves somewhere in my words and connect to own experiences through mine.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
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- What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I would love to perform at Trädgården in Stockholm some day
- If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
To collaborate with Faye Webster is a dream of mine. I think her music is so creative, unique and brave and I would love to get a peak into her creative process.
- Where can our listeners follow and support your music?
Spotify: MILA, Ian Mark
@mila.itsher, @ianmark.jerome
- Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I want to find a space where I can authentically be myself and share it with everyone who would like to listen and continue to grow and develop in my artistry. And of course, I hope the album gets to the right audience and is enjoyed !!
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
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