Stella Nutella
Look up world-class dj in the dictionary and you’ll see Stella Nutella’s lovely face looking back at you. Born in Ornskoldsvik (that’s in Northern Sweden for those of you who don’t know), she’s had gigs in Canada, America, Japan, Israel, Morocco, Poland, Egypt, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Croatia, South Africa, Zambia, Brazil and too many other places to name.
She’s truly talented, but half the world already knows that. She’s also very dedicated to her music and her craft, which I recently got her to tell me about.
ML: First, let's start with your name. Where did "Stella Nutella" come from?
Stella Nutella:My first and best friend when in London (I moved there in 1996) was a really cool Italian girl called Paola. We were real partners in crime and she started calling me Stella because she thought it suited me. It means "Star" in Italian, and she said I was radiating on the dance floor! Then other friends started to call me that, as well. And when I started DJing it was my boyfriend at the time who came up with "Nutella." It meant "Stella the Nutter," of course.
ML: You started out doing psy-trance gigs in the London underground scene. What was it about London and psy-trance that captivated you so much that you just had to move there?
Stella Nutella: I had already moved to London because I was curious to explore the city - I had heard that it was an exciting place. Before that, I was living down in the French Alps. My first neighbour in Notting Hill, who was a real hippie, started inviting me to psychedelic trance parties. Before that, I was listening mostly to techno and drum n' bass but I fell in love with the scene because it was so colourful and people were so friendly. And the more I listened to the music the more I got into it. Then I became friends with many psy-trance djs and got inspired to have a go myself... that is how it started.
ML: Tell me a little bit about the "Solipse" Total Eclipse Festival in Zambia in 2001 and what that set means to you today.
Stella Nutella:It is definitely one I will never forget; it just had a certain magic around it. It was one of my first big international gigs and I was also going through a big personal transformation at the time. They say solar eclipses are good for that, anyway! There is a strong energy shift and a good time to renew yourself and make positive changes in your life.
ML: Would you describe your 2002 Amazon compilation as feminist or feminine? Or both?
Stella Nutella: I don't know about “feminist.” I always believe in woman's power and ability, but don't call myself a feminist because it feels like the word has a negative ring to many people, almost a little aggressive. For the CD, "Amazon" was the perfect word because I was spending a lot of time in both Greece and Brazil at the time - I think most people got the double meaning of the title. I would say that Amazon is feminine or "femininely inspiring"? If that is correct English (ha ha!).
ML: Obviously, music is very important to you, but you also take it very seriously. You went to music production school for two years in Sweden. Talk about what you learned, whom you worked with, and why you felt you needed to do that.
Stella Nutella: I was getting bored. It sounds horrible to say that, but I was not enjoying traveling and DJing as much anymore, and all psy-trance had started to sound the same. I also realised more and more that I was really missing my family and needed to feel my roots again; I had been living abroad for nine years. Therefore I was amazed to find this new music school in my hometown in North Sweden (out of all places!). It was a songwriting school that sounded awesome, and it really was! We were just 20 people, all good musicians from different genres, and we were writing pop songs towards leads from real artists. I learned tons. I even started singing! I don't think I will ever become a commercial songwriter. But the course gave me tons of new ideas for my own (more experimental) productions.
ML: I'm not sure there are many people who have done as many global gigs as you have. What's your favorite city and club to do a set?
Stella Nutella: That is a very hard question. I don't know if I have a favourite city or club, but I guess I have to say that one of [my] favourite countries to play is Greece. I always have a great time there and the Greeks are some of the most friendly and hospitable people in the world. But it is hard to choose, there has been so many cool parties and fun times... it is always amazing to play festivals too of course... play for people who dance on the beach or under the stars... aaaahhhh.
ML: So what's next for you? Where are the next few places we can catch a Stella Nutella set?
Stella Nutella: I am now based in Kuala Lumpur so I am playing Asia (mostly Malaysia and Indonesia) this spring and will be heading to Europe in August for the Sonica festival. After that we will see what happens... I will most definitely stay most of my time here in KL and continue working in the studio. I feel happy and creative here.
DJ Stella Nutella
sally&stella
sally&stella
stella nutella and sally doolally
dancers at waldfrieden, main dancefloor
dancers at waldfrieden, main dancefloor
