We were lucky to catch up with Max Mignot recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Max thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
I was born in Paris and raised in Montreal, where I built deep friendships and envisioned a future in a vibrant city full of opportunity. But at 20, I made the bold decision to leave that behind and move to St. Barts, drawn by family roots and a sense that something new was waiting. It was a risk—trading the familiar pace and possibilities of city life for an island where nothing was guaranteed. But that leap of faith became the beginning of everything. It’s where my journey in music truly started, and where Public Secret was born
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I first got into music by teaching myself how to DJ. The first party I ever threw was a secret gathering on a beach in St. Barts called Public. That’s how Public Secret was born. What started as a humble “Secret Sessions” and celebrations, quickly grew into a staple of the music and cultural scene in St. Barts and St. Maarten. Later, I moved to Sayulita, Mexico, where the vision expanded—not just events, but a real collective of artists started to form.
I teamed up with my longtime friend Stephanie Karzon Abrams, who helped plant roots for Public Secret in Los Angeles. Now, Public Secret has evolved into a cross-border creative movement, with artists and collaborators in Mexico, the U.S., Canada, and Europe. We host events like Secret Sessions, continue to build our label, and are focused on celebrating the music of the world. This is more than a brand—it’s a community and a growing global movement.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)
I celebrate artists being able to support themselves through their art. If NFTs or new technologies can contribute to that—great. But at my core, I’m a purist. I believe artists should be celebrated simply for what they create, without constantly needing to repackage or reinvent the wheel just to be seen or valued. Yes, we can and should innovate—but let’s not lose sight of the art itself. The emotion, the craft, the story—that’s what matters most. Let the tech serve the artist, not the other way around.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is getting to share something I’ve created and then witnessing people connect with it—whether they’re dancing, feeling something deeply, or simply experiencing a moment of joy. There’s something incredibly powerful about seeing your work become part of someone else’s emotional landscape, even if just for a night. That kind of connection is both humbling and electrifying. It reminds me why I create in the first place—not just to express, but to contribute. And every time I see that spark in someone’s eyes, it fuels the next idea, the next sound, the next project. It’s a cycle of inspiration that keeps me going.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.publicsecretmusic.com
- Instagram: @max.mignot and @public.secret
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@public.secret
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/publicsecretmusic
- Other: my duo project, We Of Youth, with artist SimbaSōl: @weofyouth
beatport for music purchasing: https://www.beatport.com/label/public-secret/104883
spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7lLNwnu07r4vgERc5gmHRtmy business partner @steph__k
Image Credits
Max Nantais, Mateo Nantais, Jorge Ponce