8 Years Later: Honoring the lasting Influence of Robert Miles

Eight years have passed since the world lost Robert Miles, yet his music and impact continue to resonate far beyond the dancefloor. Born in Switzerland and raised in Italy’s Friuli region, Miles showed early promise as a pianist. By the mid-1980s, he had already immersed himself in Italy’s club and radio scene, eventually pouring his savings into a self-built studio and launching a pirate radio station—a sign of the creative independence that would define his path.

His major breakthrough arrived in 1995 with the release of “Children.” Initially slow to catch fire, the track’s emotive piano-driven melody struck a deep chord, eventually selling over five million copies and earning Miles a Brit Award for International Breakthrough Act. Follow-up singles like “Fable” and “One and One” solidified his global reach, while his debut album “Dreamland” positioned him as a leading voice in a genre he helped shape.

Still, Miles refused to chase commercial formulas. Albums like “23am”, “Organik”, and “Th1rt3en” ventured far from trance, blending ambient, jazz, and global influences. His collaborations with Trilok Gurtu and Nina Miranda revealed a restless creative spirit.

Later, he founded Open Lab, a forward-thinking radio platform fusing music, media, and art. Diagnosed with cancer in Ibiza, he passed away in 2017 at just 47. Yet today, Robert Miles fearless artistry continues to inspire.