millhope is the brainchild of Thomas Mรผhlhoff, a musician and producer with a passion for crafting immersive, textured soundscapes that linger long after the music fades. Born in 1984, Mรผhlhoff honed his skills in guitar, jazz, and pop during his studies, and spent years carving out a name in bands and projects like the duo Tom und Jenny, producing for artists such as Susanne Dobrusskin, and founding the Cologne-based label Hey!blau Records. Beyond music, he has also ventured into product design, creating unique items that blend functionality with a love for sound. Check out the exclusive interview below:
1. Your roots can often shape your journey. Can you share a story or moment from your early life that had a significant impact on your path into music?
MILLHOPE: I remember being a kid and getting lost in soundโwhether it was the hum of the city, the rustling of trees, or the static of an old radio. I was fascinated by how everyday noises could create a kind of accidental music. That curiosity led me to start recording sounds early on, which still plays a huge role in my music today.
2. Did your musical journey begin with formal training, or was it more of a personal exploration? How has that shaped your unique approach to your craft?
MILLHOPE: A mix of both. I started out self-taught, experimenting with guitars and old keyboards, then later studied music more formally. But my approach has always been intuitiveโblending structured knowledge with free exploration, especially through field recordings and synth textures that create dreamlike soundscapes.
3. Who were some of the most influential figures in your early musical life, and how did they inspire your sound? Also, whatโs the story behind choosing the name โMILLHOPEโ?
MILLHOPE: Artists like Brian Eno, Moby, and Boards of Canada inspired meโmusicians who create entire worlds within their sound. As for the name, Millhope is about contrasts: the mechanical precision of a mill and the open-ended nature of hope. It reflects my sound, where structured beats meet atmospheric dream states.
4. What do you believe sets your music apart? How would you describe your sound to someone discovering you for the first time, and what emotions or experiences do you hope to evoke in your listeners?
MILLHOPE: My music sits between reality and dreamsโwhere chillwave, ambient rock, and downbeat collide. I love blending electronic textures with organic elements, especially field recordings, to create something immersive. I want listeners to feel like theyโre floating between places, between memories and imagination.
5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as EDM?
MILLHOPE:
I started by playing in bands, experimenting with different genresโjazz, rock, electronicโbefore finding my own hybrid sound. I donโt really see my music as pure EDM; itโs more about textures and moods, a mix of electronic and organic that leans into deep, cinematic atmospheres.
6. Music often transcends entertainment. Whatโs your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles โ and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
MILLHOPE: I think music is a space where reality and dreams intersect. While my music isnโt overtly political, it reflects inner landscapesโmoments of reflection, escapism, and emotional truth. Iโm fascinated by the way sound can create meaning without words.
7. Do you feel the rewards of your musical career match the energy and passion you invest in it, or are there different kinds of fulfillment youโre still seeking?
MILLHOPE: Itโs always evolving. Thereโs joy in creating, but also in seeing how people connect with the music in their own way. I think Iโm still chasing that perfect balance between pushing my creative limits and reaching a wider audience.
8. Can you walk us through your creative process? From the first spark of an idea to the finished track, whatโs the most essential part of your process, and how do collaboration or external influences shape your work?
MILLHOPE: It often starts with a field recordingโa sound that sparks an idea. Then I layer synths and textures, shaping the mood before adding structure. Collaboration, like the remixes on Truth and Dare, brings fresh perspectives and deepens the sonic experience.
9. Whatโs been the most challenging hurdle in either your personal life or music career, and how has it shaped you as an artist?
MILLHOPE: Learning to embrace uncertainty. Music, like life, is fluid. The challenge is to stay open to change while staying true to yourself. Thatโs why I love working with soundscapesโeach track feels like exploring an unknown world.
10. On the flip side, what moment or achievement in your career so far has made you feel the proudest, and why? And letโs talk about your latest release and future plans.
MILLHOPE: Truth and Dare is a big milestone. Having artists like Rafael Anton Irisarri and Lusine remix my work was incredible. Moving forward, I want to explore more immersive experiencesโmaybe live audiovisual performances that blend sound and visual dreamscapes.
11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
MILLHOPE: I try to focus on the connection rather than the noise. Music is subjective, and not everyone will resonate with itโand thatโs okay. Iโd rather engage with those who get it than be distracted by negativity.
12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
MILLHOPE: Studio work is where the magic beginsโshaping textures, experimenting with sound. But live performances bring another layer, transforming music into a shared experience. I love when people close their eyes and just drift into the sound.
13. Do you think it is important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
MILLHOPE: Music should be a personal experience. I might have my own inspirations, but I love when listeners find their own meaning. Thatโs the beauty of soundโit becomes whatever you need it to be.
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