Millie May Forrest

Publicist

What made you want to work in music?

Growing up in Manchester, I’ve always been surrounded by people with pretty balanced musical diets. When I eventually learned that my Grandma’s cousin was Graham Nash—a fact she had kept quiet for years—her habit of making me stand on a chair and sing suddenly made a lot more sense. From that moment, I pretty much tried my hand at anything that would get my musical cogs turning. While I didn’t end up pursuing a career belting out tunes from dining room furniture (unless it’s a big tune), moving to London seven years ago opened up new doors for me to immerse myself in the music world. Most of my closest friends here are people I’ve met through DJing or attending music events, and I’m still in awe of how effortlessly music connects like-minded people. Today, balancing a career behind the scenes with filling dance floors at the weekend feels like a privilege—one I’ll never take for granted.

What’s your favourite album of all time?

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - Lauryn Hill is one of the only artists who can release just one career-defining album and it takes on a life of its own. It was released in the year I was born, and 26 years later it’s truly evergreen and will continue to be. It transformed the face, voice, feeling and destiny of not just hip hop, but all popular music. It made room for women in hip hop to release music with real emotional freedom. It’s an album that continues to follow you through life, one to pass onto your kids and play at junctures throughout your journey. Miseducation is effortlessly political, cultural and musical, without losing its ability to be morally resonant and authentic.

What’s one piece of tech you couldn’t live without?

This is a tough one, but I’d have to say my decks and my USB. Saving up for my home setup was a game changer—it gave me the freedom to experiment with new techniques and mixing for hours. Plus, house parties at mine always turn into open decks sessions, often ending in a friendly (but competitive) sound clash. It definitely keeps things interesting!