Blika discovered Milk’s (moniker of singer, songwriter, producer Ashly Mikhow) music through her music collaborations with Jimmy Edgar.
What began as a tender friendship with shared interests and hobbies quickly blossomed into a collaborative and shared musical vision.
Despite being physically separated by distance, they remained connected through their friendship and dedication. From virtual sessions, late-night calls, and a seamless exchange of musical ideas, Blika and Milk stayed dedicated to their joint creative journey.
Their collaboration extends beyond music; it's a symbol of empowerment and diversity. As female producers, they challenge norms and pave the way for a more inclusive music industry. Their story serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists, especially women, proving that creative prowess knows no bounds and defies stereotypes.
Dark Pop embodies their shared vision and creative synergy. Within this collection of sounds, is the essence of their musical journey—a journey distilled into auditory expressions that evoke deep emotions.
Milk and Blika's story is a testament to the boundless possibilities of collaboration and the enduring impact of music. Their partnership not only showcases their unique artistic chemistry but also encourages others to break free from limitations and pursue their own artistic dreams, regardless of where they are or who they are.
How do you collaborate effectively on a long-distance project like this? What tools or techniques do you use to stay connected and creative together?
3d art design by Laliett (IG: @laliett)
Blika: Maintaining a consistently open line of communication has played a pivotal role in nurturing our creative process. Milk and I share an almost intuitive connection, often finding ourselves in perfect sync.
Milk: Blika and I are deeply aligned in our musical aspirations, making the collaborative process for this pack surprisingly effortless, even across distances. We consistently shared snippets of our work, providing each other with positive input and motivation. We also exchanged plugin suggestions and playlists that fuelled our creative endeavors.
In what ways do you think your sample pack might empower or inspire other female producers and musicians in the industry?
Milk: I hope our pack will encourage women to connect with kindred female talents for collaboration. Elevating female artists, producers, and writers in a predominantly male dominated industry is so important.
Blika: I think overall our collaboration serves as an example of how women can support each other in the industry. Hopefully, this can ignite a sense of possibility and encourage them to pursue their own creative dreams. Reaching out to women who inspire you can unexpectedly lead to meaningful connections.
Are there any specific artists or songs that have influenced the sound and style of your dark pop sample pack?
Blika: It's a blend of musical influences and individual creativity. BANKS, Grimes, Ashnikko, Bludnymph, Sevdaliza, and of course Milk are definitely some names that inspired me when creating this pack.
Milk: I’m particularly drawn to ethereal vocals and dark pop. Some of my inspirations include Grimes, Oklou, SOPHIE, FKA Twigs, Ethel Cain, Mitski, and Alvvays.
Do you have plans for future collaborations or sample pack projects after this one?
Milk: Blika and I hope to release full-length tracks together in the future, as well as continue collaborating on other upcoming projects.
Blika: We're excited about the prospect of crafting more sample packs. It's a medium we're passionate about, as it allows us to share our sounds and ideas with fellow musicians and producers.
What do you hope Splice users will be able to achieve with your sample pack in their music productions?
Blika: The aim is to give Splice users instant inspiration when they explore the sounds in the pack, while also providing them with produced and mixed go-to elements that seamlessly fit into any production.
Milk: I hope it serves as a catalyst for producers to delve into the realm of darker elements in their productions. The incorporation of darker elements, lyrics, and melodies contributes a unique dimension and sophistication to pop songs, often under appreciated and overlooked in the world of mainstream Pop music.
Click the button below and check out the Dark Pop sample pack today!
You can hear more from Blika on Spotify, Apple Music, and @blikasound on Instagram. You can hear more from Milk on Spotify, Apple Music, and @hiiitsmilk on both Twitter and Instagram.