Diving Into the Sonic Stylings of Steller

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As she kicks off the Shifting The Lens Tour, Steller gives insight into her latest EP, her technical production skills, and reflects on her journey as an artist.

A champion of funk-infused bass, Steller has been lighting up stages with her vibrant storytelling through compelling soundscapes. Her 2022 EP, Another Love, set a solid foundation for the multi-faceted artist, alongside high-profile releases on Cyclops Recordings, Deadbeats, and Odyzey Music.

Since then, she has graced the cover of Spotify’s Dubstep Don playlist, completed her first headlining tour, and appeared at numerous festivals, including EDC Las Vegas, Lost Lands, and Seven Stars. Throughout Steller’s career, the promising producer has been an advocate for mental health, partnering with the nonprofit To Write Love on Her Arms to encourage the electronic community to seek help when needed.

Her latest body of work, Shifting The Lens, channels her emotions as she reframes her mindset through healing work. The four-track EP exudes uplifting energy, featuring the funky space bass track “Universe Provides” and the bass banger “Bring The Energy.”

As she begins her tour supporting the EP, Steller sat down to discuss the EP’s intention, her sonic lane, and her dream back-to-backs. Keep reading for the full conversation.

**Stream Steller – Shifting The Lens on Spotify**

Hey Steller, thanks for chatting with us today. Your latest EP, Shifting The Lens, explores the power of spirituality through a new sonic adventure. What inspired you to share this collection of high-vibrational tracks?

I always put intention and messages into my music. I feel like the whole essence of creating is to share a part of yourself and your soul. This often reflects what I am going through.

The hope is that anyone who listens can resonate with the music and meaning and not feel so alone. Creating and writing music for me is very spiritual, so it only made sense to have that be the main focus of the EP.

The lead single, “Frames of Infinity,” was born from moving through the heaviness of life. How did life experience shape the song, and how did Taylr Renee contribute to bringing the story to life?

When writing this song, I was going through some difficult stuff and having to face some transitions. I was reminded that everything is a mirror that reflects what we believe about ourselves, with the intention to help us grow and evolve.

I had written lyrics for this track, but Taylr really helped bring it to life with her beautiful voice and melody. It was the perfect mix of emotional and uplifting energy. This song really feels like moving through something challenging but coming out better on the other side.

You’ve just kicked off the Shifting The Lens Tour, which includes stops in major cities, as well as several high-profile festivals. What excited you the most about this run of shows?

I am just excited and grateful to get to go to these places and share my music! I’m hyped to play in some new cities and see what that experience will be like, and of course, I’m beyond excited for the festivals too.

Each show and city always has its own unique vibe. It is so special to meet and connect with fans and the community.

In your more recent releases, you showcase a range of funky moments alongside heavier bass sounds. How has your production style evolved as you’ve grown with your project?

If you listen to the EP, half of the tracks feature my funky, vibey sound, and the release before that on Trippy Bee was pure funkstep bass. I’m always going to favor that style because it is what resonates the most to me and what I love to produce. However, I don’t discriminate when writing. If I’m feeling something heavier or more bass-only focused, I will follow that.

With anything I produce, I try to add a dash of the funky flavor, but if a song isn’t leaning that way, then that’s cool too. That is the beauty of creating and what I love about bass music in particular — you don’t really have to close yourself off to one style. If you already have an established sound, regardless of what you make, it will still sound like you.

With a degree in music in your back pocket, how does your formal training shape the way you approach production?

In school, we were taught more traditional recording and industry-standard techniques, which was definitely a great foundation to have. However, there were no electronic music classes or anything like that, and we learned on a different DAW, so I’m basically self-taught in Ableton.

I think my schooling helped me develop the tools to move forward with my production, especially when it comes to writing melodies and arrangements. One of my favorite classes in university was Orchestration, where you basically had to arrange and write pieces for all the instruments in an orchestra. I found it really fun trying to blend all the different elements to make one cohesive work. That is mostly what I do now as an electronic artist.

You’ve gone b2b with fellow bass artists Zingara and, most recently, Jaenga. Are there any artists you’d love to share the stage with in the future who you think you’d play well off stylistically?

I am honestly pretty picky when it comes to b2bs. Not only does the music have to make sense together, but I have to feel comfortable with the other person, or the vibes will be off.

I am going to be doing a b2b with Seth David this year, which I’m stoked for. I think our sounds will really complement each other. I would love to go b2b with Daily Bread someday, and my dream b2b would have to be with GRiZ.

You and Zingara have both been playing your flip of Muse’s “Uprising” for a while now. Although an older track, why do you think this song resonates so strongly with crowds right now?

It is actually so crazy because we made this remix nearly three years ago and have been holding off on releasing it. Now definitely felt like the right time, and I truly believe everything happens in divine timing.

It is resonating now more than ever because of the state of our country and all that is happening in the world. There is so much unrest and unjust shit happening. It feels like we are on the brink of an uprising, and we need to really band together to stand up for what is right.

With March being International Women’s Month, how do you see yourself contributing to the push for equal representation within the dance community?

I will always be an advocate and use my platform to push for women in dance music to have the same representation as our male peers. I still see the divide every day on social media, in lineups, etc. I just hope that in time we can close that gap.

I’m extremely grateful to work with some amazing women, and I cannot wait to continue doing that. The girls really just get it.

Reflecting on your career so far, what’s something you wish you could have told your past self when you began this journey?

Oof, anytime I think of my past self, it makes me a bit emotional. I wish I could have told her to have more trust in her path and not to care so much about what people are going to think. Also, to stop comparing herself with others because we are all on our own unique journey, and there is so much room for everyone.

It’s tough because I care so deeply about what I do that I think I’m always going to be hard on myself, but I wish my past self knew that it all works out in ways you cannot see coming, and to enjoy the ride.