It wasn’t just DJ Mija’s catchy tunes but her indisputably cool vibe – from her turquoise-coloured hair to her penchant for all-black outfits – that first piqued our curiosity. Since playing a set with DJ Skrillex last year, the 23-year-old has garnered praise for her genre-defying mixes, so much so that her Instagram ( @hi_mija) has close to 50 thousand followers. Read on for our Q&A with this hot new DJ:
You’ve played at some of the biggest music festivals like Coachella and Tomorrowland. What do you think makes you a sought-after DJ now?
“I just play whatever I’m into at that very moment. I really like to challenge the audience and play heaps of music they’ve never heard before. I think that’s why people dig me. Whether you are a house head or a trap queen, you can come to my set and be exposed to new sounds that defy genres.”
How has your music influenced your fashion choices?
“When I used to DJ a lot of disco house, I would wear outfits that looked like they were right out of the ’70s. Currently, I wear a lot of artist/label t-shirts because they are gifted to me and I love supporting my peers.”
You favour all-black outfits, whether on or off the set. Why is this your signature look?
“When I first got into the industry, if you wore all black outfits people were more inclined to take you seriously. Now that I’ve gotten to where I want to be, it doesn’t really matter, but I guess it’s just something that’s stuck with me. I love wearing all black, always.”
You studied fashion merchandising before venturing into DJ-ing. Is this still something you’re working on?
“I went to college for fashion merchandising and also worked at a t-shirt design/print company. Since then, I’ve released my own range of tees under my label Mija Limited. I’m planning to release more pieces this year, but they won’t all be t-shirts.”
Who’s a fashion designer you admire right now and why?
“American designer Rick Owens and Denmark-based designer Barbara I Gongini are my two classic favourites (the former offers sculptural, sleek pieces in his namesake label, and the latter is big on androgyny). Moschino’s Jeremy Scott is killing it right now though: I love his weird statement pieces.”
You’re based in downtown LA. Where are some of the coolest hangout spots there that you frequent?
“A Japanese restaurant called Kazunori which has the best sushi in LA in my opinion. I also dig the Ace Hotel rooftop for a view of the city’s beautiful skyline, and often hang out by the LA River with my friends too.”
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