Joining our mixtape series this week is DJ and curator from Almaty, Kazakhstan, milktea! As a DJ milktea believes that the dancefloor is a judgment-free zone and should be a place of power for everyone. This manifests through her approach to her music: playfully mixing diverse genres to create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone involved. She is an active advocate for equality and anti-sexism in creative spheres and music.
milktea runs a charity-oriented platform called “Don’t be a dick” for FLINTA artists from Central Asia. She regularly performs at various venues in Almaty, has performed at Seoul’s Faust Club, several parties in Istanbul and Lisbon and at regional festivals in Central Asia. She also hosts the “Heartland” show on the Berlin Refuge Worldwide radio station.
I really enjoy existing outside of very strict genres and I find it very important to mix things that are serious with things that are profane and fun. I believe that this is in a way what life is like: a bit serious, but mostly ridiculously funny. I draw a lot of inspiration from the Global South and I try to explore more from that part of the world. Even though electronic music can be seen as a very western phenomenon, there are so many talented artists, producers and emerging names from the Global South (plus, much of electronic music draws inspiration from the Global South anyway). I like when things feel diverse and varied, so I try to channel that through my selection.
Follow
@milkteacentral
@dont_be_a_dick_pls
Photo by Karima Bolatova
