Beats Per Minute: Alex Mills discloses the dance floor heaters in her live set

Prolific vocal collaborator, songwriter, and now hotly-tipped house DJ, Alex Mills is one of few pioneering woman actively paving the way for other female artists in a still heavily male-dominated electronic scene.

The versatile Leeds-born creative, who now resides in London, is probably best known as the huge voice on some of the biggest dance tracks of the past two decades. Her CV quite literally reads like a who's who of dance music, featuring link ups with global megastars the likes of Basement Jaxx, Hot Since 82 and Sonny Fodera, to name a very select few. She's partnered with so many reputable names in fact, that she was coined the 'producers choice' of vocalist by esteemed music publication and dance music tastemakers, Mixmag. 

An undeniable talent, she's rightly earned the respect of dance fans and artists alike over the years, accomplishing what many could only ever dream of achieving in a relatively short space of time. She's appeared live on Later with Jools Holland, performed on stage at massive events in major destinations across the world - from London to Dubai and Hong Kong - and even had her music featured on a TV series over in the states, on hugely popular American comedy-drama, Drop Dead Diva. But something was still missing from her repertoire...

Recently taking the decision to step out on her own, she's begun successfully crafting her own unique style of house music. Paying homage to the classic and foregone golden era of dance music, her output displays a perfect marrying of a much-beloved 90s house aesthetic with more contemporary deep house and tech house flavours. That which can clearly be heard on her most recent five-track EP, 'Raw To The Floor' featuring massive tracks 'I Want You To want Me' and 'Worst Enemy', previously Danny Howard's Hottest Record in the World on BBC Radio 1. 

Marking a significant new chapter in Mills' flourishing career, the EP is her first full body of work as a solo recording artist and not a featured vocalist. We cannot wait to see what treats she has in store for us this year. 

We recently got the opportunity to ask the fast-rising DJ a couple of questions whilst also getting an exclusive look at the records she's planning on spinning within her live sets at events around the world this year. Continue reading below to find out more and listen to fifteen tracks you can expect at an Alex Mills show in 2022.

 

 

 

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You’ve been dubbed the ‘producer’s choice’ of vocalists, having collaborated with a score of heavyweight names the likes of Basement Jaxx, Sonny Fodera and Hot since 82. If you could link up with any vocalist on a record, who would be your choice and why?

"Oh wow, that’s’ a great question. I love Kaleem Taylor's voice. It would definitely be dope to do something with him as he could fill those gorgeous lower frequencies and I could glide on top. I also just discovered an amazing artist called Lucky Daye who has a beautiful voice and flow. I’d love to see how we would compliment each other."

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‘Raw To The Floor’ has been getting some heavy rotation here at Skiddle HQ. It’s your first solo body of work, which surprised us having read that you’ve been involved in the industry for over fifteen years. What inspired/influenced you to move towards developing your own solo career at this stage

"It felt like it was time. I adore collaborating with other people for their projects and being instrumental in adding something to their sound but you are always limited to what they want to represent and I have something of my own to say. It felt like I was ready to say it and drive my own train which has been an amazing experience."

 

 

2022, most of us hope, will be a more fruitful year for live music. The usual summertime festival season looks set to return and Ibiza could once again be on the cards for dance fans. What performances have you got lined up this year? And are there any you’re particularly looking forward to?

"I’m looking forward to playing Sundown Festival and will be joining Sonny Fodera for some more live shows this year. I will also be back and forth to Ibiza over the summer and will have more to officially announce shortly."

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With performances in mind, we’ve politely asked you to create us a fifteen track playlist featuring some of the heaters fans can expect to hear you spinning live in 2022. Thanks for obliging us. If you could play only one of these records at every show, which would it be and why?

"I've got a brand new track out with Eden Prince and I love it! It's definitely one that will feature heavily in my sets, a firm fixture in my bag. Expect to hear me rinsing that every chance I get."

 

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We’re hoping for another big year with regards to new releases and new artists. Are there any albums or new talents you’ve come across recently that have left a mark? And can we expect more new music from you this year?

"I’m loving at artist called Clementine at the moment. Her pen skills are wild and her voice is like buttercream. I see big things for her in 2022, she's a real talent."

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And finally, what's your biggest dream or aspiration for the year?

"My biggest aspirations for this year are to take what I have already done and put it on steroids. I’ve been working on great tracks with dope producers and I’m looking forward to setting them out to sea. Also building my live show, hitting festival stages and really bringing people an experience when they come to see me play live. Taking what’s in my mind to the stage is what I’m aspiring to."

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Grab tickets to see Alex Mills performing live this year as part of the upcoming Lady of the House exhibition and UK tour, in Bristol and Bournemouth this March, or at the return of the Bradford Dance Festival in the summer. Tickets are now on sale and can be found by clicking or tapping - HERE

Looking for more music from Alex Mills? Check out her Skiddle Mix, recorded exclusively for Skiddle last year - HERE

 

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Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.