IN CONVERSATION WITH MISS MONIQUE

Interview by Samo Šajn

Ukrainian DJ and producer Miss Monique has become one of electronic music’s leading names, earning global recognition through her powerful performances, Siona Records imprint and residency at Hï Ibiza. Following her biggest summer yet, which included the premiere of BIORHYTHM at Tomorrowland and the release of “Beauty In Us” with Robbie Williams, she continues to push her sound and creative vision forward. We caught up with Miss Monique to discuss BIORHYTHM, Ibiza, Siona Records, her approach to well-being and what comes next.

Your stunning new BIORHYTHM show brings the rhythms of nature into electronic music through generative visuals and organic elements. What first inspired this concept, and what did you want audiences to experience?

The original inspiration came from the world we live in today. Everything around us is becoming more industrial: technology, concrete, machines and constant movement. But even in this environment, nature never really disappears. It always finds its way through. This contrast between the natural and the man-made became the foundation of BIORHYTHM. I wanted to explore how these two seemingly opposite worlds can coexist in harmony rather than conflict.

Music has always been at the heart of everything I do, and BIORHYTHM is a way to take that connection even further. I wanted to create an experience where music, technology and organic elements come together to tell one story. I wanted people to become fully immersed in the music and visuals and perhaps leave with a different perspective on the world around us. No matter how technologically advanced our world becomes, nature remains an essential part of our lives. It is something we should never take for granted and should always strive to protect.

After a year of work, BIORHYTHM premiered in front of 15,000 people at Tomorrowland. What was going through your mind when you finally presented it to the world?

It’s honestly hard to describe that feeling. We spent an entire year working on BIORHYTHM, going through countless ideas, discussions, changes and challenges. When you work on something for so long, you start imagining the moment when everything finally comes together. But no matter how many times you imagine it, nothing can really prepare you for the actual experience. I remember feeling a mixture of excitement, nerves and happiness. Seeing everything we had been creating for so long finally come to life on the Tomorrowland stage was incredibly emotional.

What made it even more special was seeing the audience experience it for the very first time. At that moment, BIORHYTHM was no longer just our idea or something we had been working on behind the scenes. It became something we could finally share with thousands of people. That was when I realised all the hard work had been worth it. It also made me even more inspired to see how far we can take this concept in the future.

As BIORHYTHM travels to Buenos Aires, New York and Paris, how do you adapt the production to each venue while preserving the identity of the show?

Every venue is different, so we always need to adapt the technical and visual production to the space. However, the most important thing for me is preserving the original concept and atmosphere of BIORHYTHM.

We work closely with our production team to ensure that the music, visuals and overall experience feel like one complete story, regardless of the venue. Of course, each location brings its own energy, and I think that is what makes every show unique.

You recently released “Beauty In Us” with Robbie Williams. How did the collaboration come together, and what did each of you bring to the track?

It all started when Robbie’s team sent me a demo. Of course, I immediately got to work on it because Robbie is one of those artists whose music I grew up listening to. He is an iconic artist whom I have admired for more than 20 years, so having the opportunity to work together was an incredible moment for me. From the beginning, I wanted it to be a true collaboration where we could explore something new and bring a fresh perspective to both of our musical worlds.

I wanted to bring my own musical identity to the track, combining melodic elements with the energy of electronic music, while Robbie’s unmistakable voice brought a completely different emotional dimension. I think that is what makes “Beauty In Us” so special to me: two different musical worlds coming together in a way that feels natural and authentic. I’m really happy with the result and proud of what we created.

You have just completed your second year as a resident at Hï Ibiza. A residency on the island must be such a special yet intense experience. How has your relationship with Ibiza and its club culture evolved over the years?

Ibiza has always fascinated me, not only as a music lover and DJ, but also as someone who loves exploring the world and discovering new places and cultures. Spending two full seasons with my own residency at Hï Ibiza has definitely changed my relationship with the island. When you come to Ibiza for just one or two shows, you experience only a small part of what makes this place so special. Spending the entire summer there, playing every week and being surrounded by so many incredible artists and music lovers gives you a completely different perspective.

Of course, it is intense, especially when you are touring around the world at the same time, but it is also incredibly inspiring. Every week, you meet people from different countries, discover new music and experience the energy of one of the world’s most unique club cultures. I think these two seasons have helped me grow both musically and personally. What I love most is that even after all this time, Ibiza still manages to surprise me.

This year, you are bringing Siona Records to Het Sieraad during ADE. What was your vision for the line-up, and what can people expect from the night?

For me, Siona Records has always been about supporting talented artists with their own musical identities and bringing together people who share the same passion for electronic music. When putting together the line-up, I wanted to create a balance between different sounds and energies while maintaining the special musical atmosphere that represents Siona.

ADE is always such an inspiring time because the entire electronic music community comes together in one city. I’m really looking forward to sharing this night with everyone.

Siona has grown into an important platform for melodic electronic music. What qualities do you look for when signing or supporting a new artist?

For me, the most important quality is originality. We receive so many demos, and what really catches my attention is when an artist has their own musical identity rather than simply following trends. I also look for creativity, fresh ideas and something that makes a track stand out.

I believe in supporting artists who are passionate about what they do and are constantly developing their sound. Siona has always been about discovering music that we genuinely love and believe in.

You recently brought back the MiMo Podcast after several months away. Why was it important to return to the series, and how has it evolved from your early home-studio recordings?

The MiMo Podcast has always been very special to me. It started as a way to share the music I love from my home studio, and over the years, it has grown into something much bigger. It has connected me with listeners from all around the world and helped us create our own community. With such an intense touring schedule and so many other projects, it became difficult to find time for regular episodes, but I never wanted to leave it behind.

A lot has changed since those early recordings, both in terms of production and my own musical journey. However, the main idea remains exactly the same: sharing music I genuinely love, discovering new artists and staying connected with my audience.

Tennis, cycling and snowboarding are all important parts of your life. How does sport help you stay grounded amid touring, travelling and late nights?

First of all, sport is one of the best ways for me to recharge mentally. Whenever I’m playing tennis, cycling or snowboarding, I’m not checking my phone, answering emails or getting involved in work chats. It is an opportunity to disconnect from everything, spend some quality time with myself and nature, and simply enjoy the moment.

Of course, it is also incredibly beneficial for my physical health and helps me stay in shape. With such a busy schedule, I think having this time for myself is really important for maintaining a healthy balance in my life.

You often speak about protecting your mental and physical health within the demanding lifestyle of an artist. What habits have made the biggest difference for you, and what have you learned about maintaining balance?

It happened quite naturally. At some point, I started taking on too many responsibilities, dealing with too much stress and trying to manage everything at once. Eventually, I realised I had two choices: either burn out completely or start taking better care of myself and find a healthier balance. I usually take a proper vacation only once a year, but now, if I feel my schedule is becoming too overwhelming, I’m no longer afraid to give myself a day off and simply relax.

One of the biggest changes was learning to take a break without feeling guilty about it. I used to think every free moment had to be productive, but I have realised that this is simply not sustainable. Neither my audience nor I need an exhausted version of me who does everything on autopilot. Sometimes, I prefer to slow down a little so I can move forward with even more energy afterwards.

Robbie Williams & Miss Monique ‘Beauty In Us’ is out now, get it HERE. Catch Miss Monique at her Siona Records showcase at Het Sieraad, Thursday 22nd October. Final tickets HERE.