Milena: “I write as I live, and the songs follow”

How Milena brought her first full-length album to life

Photo courtesy of wavy

For those who have not heard your music before, how would you describe it to them? How would you finish the sentence “Milena is ___” or “Milena’s music is ___”?
“Milena’s music is the background music to your life.” I want my songs to be [things] people can reach for in their everyday moments that feel comforting and familiar. If someone finds meaning in the lyrics and relates to them, that’s wonderful. But even if [the songs] simply play quietly alongside their days, that alone makes it worthwhile for me.

Who or what first inspired you to pursue a music career?
I’ve always loved Bruno Major’s music. Listening to his song “Nothing” made me dream of becoming a songwriter and producer who creates warm, honest music. It felt surreal to recently have the chance to work on a remake of that very track. It was a full-circle moment for me.

What are your three biggest sources of songwriting inspiration?
Books and films often spark ideas. I naturally visualize certain scenes or moods when I listen to music, so stories are a big inspiration. 

Then there are the times I spend just playing instruments with no specific goal. I often sit with the piano or guitar and let myself wander, and sometimes a melody just appears. 

Lastly, [inspiration comes from] my own life. Almost all of my lyrics come from personal experiences. I write as I live, and the songs follow.

Photos courtesy of wavy

Please describe Where to Begin!
Where to Begin is my first full-length album and holds a lot of meaning for me. I wrote, composed, and even mixed all eleven tracks. The album is about love in its many forms: romantic love, but also friendships, the relationship I have with myself, and the affection I’ve received from fans.

Is the Where to Begin track list order purposeful?
Yes, every part of the track list was intentional. The track order traces the emotional stages of love as it grows, changes, and fades. I wanted to reflect the emotional progression of a relationship, from the first spark to the final goodbye. What surprised me was how naturally the storyline aligned with the musical flow. I arranged the songs based on sound and feeling first, and somehow the narrative just fell into place.

Why did you choose “What about Next Spring” as a pre-release single, and was any other track almost chosen instead?
I went back and forth between “Foot on the Moon” and “What about Next Spring.” One felt more upbeat and playful, while the other was softer and more introspective. I ended up choosing “What about Next Spring” because I felt it introduced the album’s tone more clearly. And to be honest, as soon as I finished writing it, I really couldn’t wait to share it with the world.

If you could add one more collaborator to Where to Begin, who would it be, and on which track?
I’d love to work with aron!. I’ve been listening to his music a lot lately and think our styles would blend beautifully. I imagine “Coffee Shop” or “Bluejay” would be a great match for him.

Please talk about some of the songs on Where to Begin: fun facts, behind-the-scenes stories, or anything else you’d like to share!
“bad handwriting” was actually the very last song I wrote [for the album]. I already had ten songs lined up but still felt [like] something was missing. The song came from something personal I was going through, and both the melody and lyrics came to me all at once. I finished it in about 20 minutes. It felt effortless but ended up becoming one of my favorites.

I wasn’t planning to produce “Foot on the Moon” with wave to earth’s Daniel at first. While we were working on “What about Next Spring,” I played him a few demos, and when he heard “Foot on the Moon,” he picked up the guitar and started playing along. We both felt it would be fun to work on it together, and everything just came together from there.

“Subtle Change” began during a quiet moment with my guitar. It breaks away from common chord progressions, and some of my producer friends actually suggested changing it. But I loved how it sounded and decided to keep it. I think that decision gave the song a bit of its own character.

“read my love” has a slightly unusual structure. While writing it, I wanted to add a melodic shift at the end. It reminded me of the music I used to post on SoundCloud in the early days of my career, so it felt nostalgic in a nice way.

Out of all the songs on Where to Begin, which one...

… was the most fun to make, and why?
“Piano” was definitely the most fun. It was a one-take session with Yun Seok Cheol, and we didn’t even use a metronome. Just two musicians in sync, playing in the moment. That chemistry made it into the final track, and I love that.


… took the longest to finish, and why?
“Where to Begin” took the most time. I didn’t expect it to, but I kept experimenting with different ideas and sounds. Since I also mixed it myself, I became a little bit of a perfectionist with it. But in the end, it felt like the right choice to open the album.

… was the easiest to make, and why?
“What about Next Spring” came very naturally. I was on a train, watching the scenery go by, when a melody popped into my head. It stayed with me the whole ride. I added lyrics later, but the core idea was already there. It’s rare for me to use a melody exactly as I first heard it, so this one felt special.

Photo courtesy of wavy

What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
Right now, I hope this album finds its way to more people. I put a lot of myself into it -  not just creatively, but technically - and I’ve grown a lot through the process. That makes me want to share it as widely as I can. 

Looking ahead, I want to tour the world. I’ve played opening sets and performed at festivals before, and every time, I feel like I have to introduce myself from scratch. One day, I’d love to be on a stage in front of a crowd that came just to hear my music. It would also be a dream to perform at Glastonbury, Java Jazz Festival, or Coachella someday.

Lastly, is there anything else you want to say about yourself or your music?
I hope my music can quietly become part of people’s lives. It’s like a diary for me, and hearing that others find their own stories in my songs is something I never take for granted. That connection through music is really powerful. I also hope to meet more listeners in person through live shows. I’m always grateful to anyone who takes the time to listen.

Check out Where to Begin here, and read a review of it here!

View the Substack version of this piece here!

Answers have been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.