MISH: Breaking Barriers in Hard Dance with Glitter, Grit, and Groundbreaking Performances
In an exclusive interview with EDM House Network, Australian powerhouse MISH takes us behind the scenes. From making history as the first female hardstyle DJ to rock the Supremacy stage to crafting festival anthems, MISH reveals the artistry behind her high-energy sets and signature glittery style. Join us as we delve into her creative process for tracks like “Hypnotised,” her evolution in the electronic dance music scene, and how she’s reshaping the global hardstyle landscape one beat at a time.
Your recent performance at Supremacy was very well received by the fans! Can you walk us through your preparation for this epic indoor Dutch event and what made your set particularly special?
This was the largest edition yet at the GelreDome, so the pressure was high to deliver a set that would connect with everyone. Fortunately, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many saying I surprised them, which is really encouraging!
I didn’t want this to be a typical ‘LIVE’ set, so I took time developing the concept behind it. I eventually decided on ‘M.I.S.H,’ which stands for ‘Madness, Iconic, Shocking, Hypnotic.’ My visuals played a key role in bringing this concept to life. Each segment had its own unique visuals, which I worked on closely with my VJ. A lot of time was spent deciding what type to use to also compliment my brand.
It was also crucial to play new music to make the show truly unique. I premiered two new tracks, spending most of the time leading up to the event creating and perfecting them. Although I had two new collabs I wanted to play, the 29-minute set time made it difficult to fit everything in. So, we focused on live and kick edits of previously released tracks to keep the set feeling fresh.
This performance was particularly special to me because Supremacy was a huge goal of mine since 2015 and I was the first female Hardstyle DJ to take the stage there. It also marked my debut LIVE performance in front of the biggest crowd I’ve ever played for—30,000 people!
Your latest track, “Hypnotised,” was released last week. What was the inspiration behind this track?
We started with the melodic drop, which set the tone for the rest of the track and really inspired the direction I took. I wanted to make the song more personal, so I reached out to Carola to collaborate. I shared some lyrics with her, and together we selected what fit best. My goal was to write lyrics that could be interpreted in different ways depending on the listener—whether that’s about a relationship, partying, or, in my case, expressing my feelings about performing for my fans. That’s also why I featured fans in the music video. I’m proud to say I directed, casted, and scripted the video myself, and it’s already hit 50k views on YouTube in less than two weeks.
Turning back the clock a bit, how do you feel your sound and style have evolved since your debut release in 2020 and how have you grown professionally as an artist since then?
My sound has definitely evolved. In the beginning, my tracks had a darker atmosphere, but now they’re much brighter, featuring female vocals and more of a party vibe, which aligns more with my brand and who I am as a person. I think my collaboration with Sickmode on ‘Rave Love’ really contributed to that shift as well.
Over the past four years, I’ve grown a lot both personally and professionally. I’ve become stronger, more knowledgeable, and learned to stand up for myself—something that’s essential in this industry. I’ve also developed thicker skin when it comes to hate comments. Building relationships with artists I’ve always admired has been instrumental in my professional growth. I know there’s still a long journey ahead, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come.
You’ve performed at major events like Defqon.1, Tomorrowland, and EDC Mexico. How do you adapt your sets for different audiences while maintaining your signature style?
It’s crucial to adapt your sound to different crowds and countries because not every audience enjoys the same style, and you can definitely feel the difference. I like to experiment and see how a crowd responds, but if something doesn’t quite work, I’ll quickly follow it up with a track they know to bring the energy back up! That said, it’s equally important to stay true to your own sound as an artist—you need to feel comfortable on stage and not stray too far from what you usually play.
The most challenging gigs are often the smaller multi-genre parties, where you can’t predict the crowd. It’s tough when you drop a hit, even if it’s not your own, and they don’t react—those moments can make you feel a bit lost, haha. I try to craft sets that strike a balance between my sound and what suits the event, aiming to cater to most people while staying authentic to myself.
You created the anthem for the Dutch hardstyle festival REBiRTH Festival this year ‘Discover The Mayhem,’ with Sickmode. What does it mean to you to be chosen for such an honor, and how did you approach creating an anthem that resonates with the festival’s spirit?
It definitely caught me by surprise (probably more so for me than for Sickmode), but we were both really excited about it! Creating an anthem comes with a lot of pressure since you’re responsible for setting the vibe for the entire theme. We were given a concept, but had the creative freedom to take it in any direction. With the theme being ‘Mayhem,’ we knew we wanted to reflect that energy in the track, especially by making the drops harder and darker than most anthems. It was a bit of a risk, but we’re really happy with how it turned out and the response we’ve received!
Your sets are known for their intensity and expertly curated track selection. Can you describe your process for preparing a set and how you read and respond to the energy of the crowd?
I always check the lineup to see my time slot and who else is playing so I can base my track selection around that. The amount of time I spend on track selection really depends on the event. If I’m playing somewhere new, it can go either way—sometimes it’s easier because I have the freedom to play anything, or it can be tricky because I’m not sure what the crowd will respond to. For major festivals like Defqon, track selection becomes even more crucial since it’s such a diverse, worldwide audience.
My sets are usually high-energy with minimal downtime, so the crowd is dancing for most of it. But if I notice they’re getting tired, I’ll throw in a hit or something more relaxed that they can sing along to and take a breather. I also love incorporating bootlegs and kick edits—they tend to work really well and keep the energy flowing!
Your performances are known for combining music with a vibrant visual aesthetic, including your glittery outfits. How important is the visual aspect of your performances to you, and how does it complement your music?
My outfits are definitely one of the most important aspects of my brand. Fashion is something I’m equally passionate about, so it holds a lot of significance for me. It not only helps people recognise me but also allows me to stand out in a unique way.
In addition to that, my visuals are carefully crafted to reflect who I am and the vibes I want to create. While music is key, I believe the visuals behind you are just as important for enhancing the overall experience. It’s another way for people to connect with and recognise my brand.
The Hardstyle scene is known for its passionate fan base. How do you engage with your fans, and how has their support influenced your artistic journey?
I make it a priority to interact with my fans in as many ways as I can. I’m very active on social media, personally replying to as many comments and messages as possible. I also have a fan group on Instagram to keep everyone up to date. At nearly every event, I host meetups and hand out stickers or merchandise. My meetup at Defqon had over 100 people!
My fans mean everything to me. Their dedication is a huge part of why I am the artist I am today, and I’ll always make time for them whenever I can.
As the summer festival season comes to an end and we approach indoor rave season, what was the highlight of your summer and what’s one thing you’re looking forward to this winter?
The highlight for me has to be Defqon. I have such strong emotions tied to that festival because it was the first Hardstyle festival I attended as a fan almost 10 years ago. Every time I perform there, it brings back those same happy memories, but amplified by 100 because now I’m on stage. The energy and vibe are always incredible.
I’m also really looking forward to Knockout Outdoor in Australia next weekend. Home shows are always special, and this will be my first solo festival performance there, which makes it even more meaningful! I’m also excited for my return to Mexico in November and for the Aggressive Records party that same month.
Any new projects or collabs you would like to shout out for your fans?
I have two finished solo tracks ready, along with two new collaborations (though I can’t reveal who they’re with just yet), and another upcoming collab that’s still under wraps. I also have more solo tracks in the works! Plus, who knows—there might be more Rave Love tracks in the future too!
