Exploring Life & Business with Max Mignot of Public Secret

Today we’d like to introduce you to Max Mignot.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in Paris and raised in Montreal. I moved to the Caribbean in my early 20s and came onto the music scene there as the electronic music movement in St Maarten and St Barts was emerging. I always had a “love for the drum” as they say; always loved music. And my passion grew from a desire to bring people together over music. I traveled through Africa in my 20’s, notably in Botswana and Namibia. I volunteered at a boy’s school in Botswana called Banabametsi, which means “children of water”. Each generation of young boys are taught the Marimba and passed it down to the next. In Upuwo, Namibia, I spent time with the Himba Tribe. I learned about their beautiful music and experienced the strong relationship they had with music. I also had the privilege of recording Himba tribe vocal chanting from women and children. You’ll be able to hear them in my upcoming release called Okuhepa, which means thank you in Otjihimba (their language), a dialect of Herero.

When I moved to Sayulita, Mexico, I continued Djing, making music, and throwing unique music events with music artists, with the mission of spreading the magic.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I strive to create something unique. That’s something I challenge myself with so that I can continuously evolve as an artist. Sometimes it can come easily, and other times it doesn’t. It can require a lot of time, energy, and self-reflection. It’s a labor of love though, as I enjoy what I do.

As you know, we’re big fans of Public Secret. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Public Secret a music collective and label. Back when I was living in the Caribbean in my early 20’s, some friends and I threw a secret party on a beach called “Public” on the island of St Barts. This is where Public Secret got its name. Our events were an integral part of the music and electronic music community on both St Barts and St Maarten. We even had a float at the St Bart’s Carnival. I still go back to the islands and play shows, spend time with my friends, and family.

When I moved to Sayulita, Mexico, Public Secret moved with me. It really started to develop as a music collective, with events in secret locations, revealing them only hours before the event would start; like the first party in St Barts, as well as events in partnership with local bars, clubs, and hotels.

In 2021, my childhood friend Steph Karzon and I decided to partner and grow the collective in Los Angeles. We began to collaborate with artists internationally in both the US and Mexico, always with the objective to produce curated destination gatherings and craft experiences that imprint on the hearts of our community. In 2022, Public Secret grew into a music label. The label is a reflection of our collective’s identity: uplifting, world-inspired, transcendental, and energetic.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Patience: Everything moves so quickly in the music industry! You see artists doing so many great things, and it motivates you and encourages you to want to be great too. Everything comes in its own time and always remember that you’re exactly where you are supposed to be!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.publicsecretmusic.com
• Instagram: @max.mignot and @public.secret
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@public.secret
• Other: https://soundcloud.com/publicsecretmusic and https://www.beatport.com/label/public-secret/104883

Image Credits
Photographers: Mateo Nantais and Chance Foreman