Matteo Milleri, better known as Anyma, is a pioneer in the electronic music scene and a visionary who has promoted the live music experience to new, immersive heights. The fusion of techno and fascinating digital art has built a reputation for creating audiovisual masterpieces that connect deeply with viewers.
In 2024, Anyma made history by becoming the first electronic act to hold a residency in Las Vegas’ groundbreaking territory. There, his show, “The End of Genesys,” attracted an audience of 200,000 people for all 12 days. His upcoming album of the same name was released on May 30th, marking the end of one era and the beginning of a new chapter.
Elevation, evolution, empowerment
Anyma’s live shows are known for their powerful audiovisual storytelling that has become a hallmark of his artistry. When asked how he integrates the visuals into his performance, he explains: In any case, this integration of music and visuals is to create a profound and emotional experience that transcends traditional performance.
Anyma emphasizes that visual creation is essential to the project, and he is deeply involved in the overall production from start to finish. “I think that’s the basics. I live in symbiosis, synergistic with the visual team, and step by step.”
Anyma’s commitment to integrating visuals into his performance is an important part of his artistic vision. Working closely with Visual Director Alessio de Vecchi, Anyma is deeply involved in the visual creation process, from the initial concept to the final execution. “I spend 50% of my time on it and 50% on music,” he says, highlighting the importance of seamlessly combining both worlds to create an immersive experience for the audience.
From his perspective, his electronic music style has gone through several stages since its inception. “It went through many iterations that started with the Afterlife (event series) sound inspired by Berlin Techno and later evolved into the disco and dance phase,” says Anyma. “Now it’s deeply rooted in electro and progressive sounds.”
He believes that all electronic music has reached an important point of evolution. There, elements from other genres influence each other, creating new waves of creative advancement within the field of electronic music. “It’s hard to say exactly where it’s going to land, but that’s the beauty of these things. You might start with a vision and someone might take it and have it bring somewhere,” he explains.
He also focuses on the changes in techno sound, focusing on grooves and dark elements, particularly around the bassline and synth. “We don’t really focus on long breaks or ongoing club-oriented atmosphere,” he says. “It’s about evolving while keeping the sound fresh and dynamic.”
While Anyma’s festival performances are epic, his approach to club shows is just as important. The club offers a more intimate setting that can test new sounds and push creative boundaries. He recalls a memorable moment when he performed the track “Syren” at a small club in Switzerland. “It was a new sound…it just got me hooked,” he says.
He contrasts this with his festival show, where there is a high stake and everything from the music to the visuals must be meticulously synchronized. “It’s extremely challenging because you don’t want to ruin the story you’re trying to say, both musically and visually,” explains Anyma. “You don’t want to over-inspire people… when it comes together, it’s very rewarding, but more difficult than people think.” This attention to detail is what makes his performance stand out and continues to captivate large audiences around the world.
Anyma is more than just a solo act. He was also the co-founder of the Afterlife Record label, and became a beacon of promising electronic artists. He attributes the success of the afterlife to its sense of community and empowerment. “Afterlife is an empowerment tool and a community that helps small and larger artists come together and strengthen their careers,” he says, highlighting how labels promote a supportive environment for artists to grow and grow.
He values personality within the label, and often allows artists to choose their own singles and trust them to shape their artistic orientation. “You have to have your own vision of your own identity and what you are,” Anyma emphasizes the importance of creative freedom and reliability in the music industry.
The coexistence of music and art
Anyma’s connection to art extends beyond his music and visuals. His tattoos also reflect his journey. “For me, tattoos come in stages, you know… I’m very engrossed in the culture, movement… its art,” he shares, explaining that his tattoos, like his music, are a constantly evolving expression of his creativity.
Tattoo is a form of personal storytelling that evolves in each chapter of his life for Anima. He remembered when he was 16 years old when he was first attracted to Italian movements inspired by sailor Jerry, and was inked with roses, swallows and “rock rocks.” When he moved to Berlin, his style shifted towards blackwork and dotwork, adorning his skin with barbed wire, pitax and the words “fate.”
“I recently entered this glyph style and it’s very interesting as my concept from the sphere, it touched on Quantum Morph, Quantum Entanglement Concept and started blasting tattoos with neo-tribal glyphs by tattoo artists like Glyphomancer, and with my songs and my music.”
Going forward, Anyma is excited about the future of immersive music experiences. With the rise of technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality, he believes that live music experiences will only become more dynamic and interactive. “We’ll soon have an app for audiovisuals and experience them in VR and XR,” he predicts, highlighting how we see the fusion of technology, music and art that changes the way we interact with music.
Anyma has worked with several artists who influenced his sound and pushed his creative boundaries. His music has been heavily inspired by film scoring and films, with names like Vangelis and Jóhann Jóhannsson shaping the emotional, synth-driven aspects of his work. The minimalist techno scene in Berlin, especially artists like Etapp Kyle and Ben Klock, also had a major influence on his vision.
With his “The End of Genesys” album, Anyma continues to push creative boundaries with artistic collaborations that transcend the realm of techno. “The artists I work at the moment are actually urging me to move things forward,” he says, pointing to collaborations with Ellie Goulding, Grimes, FKA Twig, Luke Steele of the Sun Empire, and Cebdaliza. Music reflects the evolution of Anyma’s sound through diverse artists, allowing them to resonate with a wide range of audiences, showing off their ability to blend different genres and cultures to create something unique.
Unfolding the future
Anyma’s journey is one of constant evolution, pushing the boundaries of music, visuals and live performances. From his deep connection to the influence of the film to his pioneering role in the world of techno and electronics, Anyma continues to break new ground. His ability to blend genres, experiment with sounds and integrate immersive visuals into his performances sets him apart as an artist shaping the future of live music experiences.
His continued collaboration, evolving sound landscapes, and his dedication to his artistic vision, Anyma’s work transcends more than just performance. It will be a multi-sensory journey. No denying Anyma’s influence, including headlining shows at monumental venues like Sphere and his intimate collaborations with artists of various genres. As he turns to the future, it is clear that he will inspire, innovate and leave behind the world of music and art.
