Having been quietly building momentum in the underground house scene, we caught up with Louis Millne to talk about his debut release on Repopulate Mars, creative growth, and what’s shaping up to be a defining year ahead.


Hey Louis, thanks for joining us today! How are things?

Yeah, really good, thank you. It’s been a busy start to the year, but in a good way – lots of music coming together and I feel like things are building nicely. I’m just focused on keeping momentum and staying consistent.

Congrats on your debut EP on Repopulate Mars. What can you tell us about the release?

Thank you – it’s a big one for me. Releasing on Repopulate Mars has been a goal of mine for a while, so to finally land a three-track EP with them feels like a proper milestone. The project captures three slightly different shades of my sound – all rooted in that dark, underground energy I’m drawn to, but each with its own personality. It’s hypnotic, groove-led, and very much built for the dancefloor.

This is your first three-track EP, and it feels really focused. Did working in that format change how you developed ideas compared to standalone singles?

Definitely. With standalone singles, you’re almost thinking about one statement at a time. With a three-track EP, I was more conscious of the journey – how the tracks sit next to each other, how they contrast, and how they complement each other in a DJ’s crate. It made me think more holistically. I didn’t want three versions of the same idea; I wanted three different entry points into my sound, but still cohesive.

Releasing on Repopulate Mars feels like a big moment. Did putting music out on a label like that push you to refine or sharpen your sound in any way?

For sure. When you’re aiming for a label with such a strong identity, it naturally makes you more intentional. I didn’t try to “fit” a formula, but I did push myself to refine the details – tighter arrangements, more patience in the grooves, really focusing on tension and space. It’s about confidence, too. Trusting that a track doesn’t need to do too much to work in the right environment.

Tracks like ‘Don’t Say’ and ‘Lo Siento’ build tension without obvious drops. Where do you imagine them landing in a set? Early, late, or somewhere in between?

I see them sitting in that powerful mid-set zone. They’re not intro tracks, but they’re not peak-time “hands in the air” records either. They’re the kind of tracks you use to shift the energy slightly darker and more hypnotic, either setting up for a bigger moment later or maintaining control after one.

The collaboration with Ribguga brings a slightly different energy. What did working together reveal or change about your own process?

Working with Ribguga was refreshing. Collaboration forces you out of your habits – you can’t overthink in the same way because you’re reacting to someone else’s ideas. It made me a bit more spontaneous and less precious about my first instincts. Sometimes that shift in perspective is exactly what a track needs.

‘Someone Special’ feels more emotional and open than the other tracks. Was that a conscious shift, or did it just evolve naturally?

It evolved naturally. I didn’t sit down thinking, “this needs to be the emotional one,” but as it developed, it felt right to let it breathe more. It still has that underground foundation, but there’s a vulnerability in it that I don’t always lean into. I like that contrast though – it shows another layer without stepping outside of who I am sonically.

What else have you got planned for 2026?

2026 is shaping up to be a big year. I’ve got a release coming on MOAN alongside fellow Repopulate Mars alumni Balanka, which I’m really excited about – it’s always inspiring connecting with artists from that circle. I’ve also got an EP lined up on Deeperfect, which feels like another strong step forward for me sonically.

Beyond that, there’s a lot more music finished and ready that I can’t wait to announce. The main focus is consistency – keeping the release schedule tight, expanding internationally, and continuing to build momentum without losing the core identity of my sound.


Louis Millne ‘Don’t Say’ EP is out on 27th February 2026. 


PRE-ORDER HERE 


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