Artist Spotlight
It's not enough to call LA-based musician Nala, aka Stefania Aronin, a producer or DJ. She radiates artistry in everything she does. Informed by a slant towards the experimental, her off-kilter psychedelic house is a refreshing disruptor for a scene she says, “got wedged into this idea of what dance music was.” She shatters the formulaic chad-house aesthetic with her strikingly authentic lyrics. It’s proof that house music can slap the subs and captivate the mind. In 2020 she signed a management deal with purveyors of west coast weird, Dirtybird, a perfect match for someone who created her own lane so early in her career. COO Aundy Crenshaw and Claude Von Stroke encouraged her to embrace her unique style. They were both excited that she brought a sound that broke from traditional tech-house. Her open format DJ sets and indie inspired beats are a vessel to help push the label forward. She says during one of their first conversations, Von Stroke expressed how tired he was of paint-by-numbers tech house. Writing that way is simply at odds with who she is. “I just can't talk about things that are superficial. It's just not part of my character. It feels wrong. It feels like nails on a chalkboard internally.” As she recites the words for “Sun Is Hot,” the second track from her Dirtybird debut EP Psychic Attack, she explains how she disguised a meditation on the health of Mother Earth beneath what sounds like something steamy and sultry. “That’s a song is about global warming, first and foremost,” she says. “But then its open for interpretation. It could also be about sex. It's funny 'cause NPR was like, 'Oh, this is a dirty song.' And I was like, 'It's about global warming.” She tells the story with a perfect deadpan. “I don’t know how to be a closed book,” she admits. “Most of my writing is confessional. I think a lot of what art is supposed to be on a philosophical level is something that people relate to. It's part of the human experience. And that's why we are obsessed with art to begin with. Because it makes us feel something. It makes us feel less alone. And I just love making people feel less alone.” In college, Aronin switched from a psychology major to advertising because psychology got too dark. Yet she continues to find ways to dissect human existence. Nala's confessional lyrics seek to connect. “I wrote Psychic Attack, because I was really overwhelmed with the news last year," she explains about the title song on her Dirtybird debut. "I wrote that song out of a space of anxiety. But I think a lot of people could relate to that, because it was so chaotic. It was psychological warfare.” She spends several minutes reciting lyrics to new songs during our call. And with each turn of phrase, it’s clear how adept she is with her words. She’s also so clearly excited about every aspect of her work. She radiates positivity and bravery. Being bold is natural she says. “I don't have even like an ounce of doubt that it won't work,” she says about her fuck it Im'a go for it attitude. Her mental framework is devoid of the self-doubt that stops most people from trying. “I just don't have that kind of dialogue in my head for whatever reason. I push it out, probably as a self-protective measure.” Or maybe it’s a touch of confidence mixed with a dash of creative magnetism. She’s consistently able to draw exactly what she wants directly into her orbit. Three months before she signed with Dirtybird she decided to break from her indie background and go full-on into dance music. She was already well known on the Dj circuit in Miami and LA. Her music was getting played in H&M stores across the country. But she felt she needed a label ecosystem to pull her off the plateau. She set her intention and told herself, “I need to shift focus. What is going to be best for me? I need to find a label that I can work with. And out from the sky came Dirtybird!” The family atmosphere that seeps through all that Dirtybird does was the perfect match for Aronin. "I got really lucky that I managed to find a community of people. Because even the other artists on the label VNSSA, Walker & Royce, Ardalan we're all family now. And it's so nice to be around people that are so positive and supportive, have a good message and [are] inclusive and happy." She now sits in the perfect position to carry her message to a wider audience. “I want everyone to feel. I want people to relate. I want them to know that their experience is not isolated. And that to me is the most fulfilling. The best I can do is create music with a message that resonates with people.”
Overview
Hailing from the vibrant cultural hub of Miami, Nala has established herself as a bold and innovative voice in the music scene. With an eclectic blend of house, indie dance, electro, and breaks, she has earned a reputation as a tastemaker and dynamic performer who continuously pushes limits of genre and style. Her journey, from her beginnings in underground Miami nightclubs to launching her own label and performing at iconic festivals, highlights a career marked by originality, collaboration, and relentless creativity.
Nala's career began in the underground scene, where she performed in Miami’s late-night clubs and built a name as a rising DJ with a talent for curating eclectic sets that captivated audiences. Her broad knowledge of electronic subgenres gave her a distinct edge and allowed her to stand out in Miami’s competitive market. Nala’s ability to bring live vocals into her DJ sets further set her apart, creating an immersive experience that blended the energy of live performance with the precision of DJing.
Her musical influences are wide-ranging, and her sound often incorporates elements of indie-dance, punk rock, and acid. Drawing inspiration from genres beyond dance music, Nala’s signature aesthetic is shaped by a blend of Riot Grrrl energy, new wave influences, and analog soundscapes. These influences make her performances and productions feel refreshingly unpredictable and have earned her a dedicated following.
Nala’s breakthrough moment came in 2020 when her infectious energy and innovative style caught the attention of Dirtybird Records founder Claude VonStroke. Known for championing unique voices in electronic music, VonStroke managed Nala’s career for two years, providing her with valuable guidance and connections within the industry. Their professional relationship laid the foundation for Nala to flourish as both a DJ and producer. Even after concluding their formal management relationship, VonStroke remains a mentor, continuing to support her as she navigates the electronic music world.
Relocating to Los Angeles marked a new phase for Nala, allowing her to connect with a broader music community and collaborate with diverse artists. Embracing the creative possibilities of LA’s electronic music scene, she began to explore her unique Riot Grrrl-style vocals and analog soundscapes more deeply. Her fascination with blending punk rock aesthetics with electronic music has driven her to collaborate with punk and indie rock bands, reimagining their sounds within an electronic context and bringing a raw, unpolished energy to her tracks.
Her unique approach has gained her recognition from top producers and led her to perform at notable venues, including the legendary Space Miami, as well as marquee festivals like Coachella, Ultra, Electric Forest, and Electric Zoo. These performances have established her as an artist who doesn’t just follow trends but creates her own lane in the industry.
In July 2022, Nala took a bold step toward creative independence by launching her own label, Mi Domina. With a mission to merge punk rock aesthetics and underground dance music, the label seeks to create space for femme-focused, boundary-pushing electronic artists. Mi Domina’s first release, Get Familiar EP, was a collaboration with fellow Dirtybird artist E.R.N.E.S.T.O and debuted to strong support from major platforms like Beatport and EDM.com. The label represents Nala’s commitment to fostering a community that celebrates artistic freedom, inclusivity, and collaboration.
Nala’s music embodies a fusion of sounds and genres that make her work feel both timeless and of-the-moment. Inspired by artists ranging from Blink-182 and Bikini Kill to electronic legends, her style reflects her love for edgy, raw punk energy and polished electronic production. Her recent remixes and collaborations, including work with indie and punk acts, showcase her ability to seamlessly blend these influences into a cohesive and engaging sound.
Nala’s music often draws from a range of scenes, combining elements of California punk with New York’s harder, grittier sounds and layering house and techno vibes over her tracks. Her music is known for its catchy rhythms, infectious grooves, and a playful yet gritty energy that’s as suitable for a nightclub as it is for a festival stage.
Nala and VNSSA, two dynamic artists from Miami and Newport Beach, have joined forces to form the exhilarating house music duo, Girl Math. Together, they have created a fresh and irresistible sound that has already started to make waves across the electronic music scene. Their mini Girl Math tour has been a major success, with standout performances at top festivals that showcase their electric synergy.
The duo’s memorable debut at Coachella left an indelible mark, as they captivated the audience with their high-energy set. Their on-stage chemistry and ability to engage the crowd have made them a must-see act, drawing in fans from all over. Following their Coachella debut, Girl Math has continued to build momentum with performances at prestigious festivals like Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, and Elements Festival, where audiences eagerly anticipate their next-level shows.
With each new release and performance, Nala continues to shape the future of electronic music, bringing new perspectives and creative ideas to the forefront.
Upcoming events
Girl Math (VNSSA b2b Nala) w. QRTR & Guests
The Brooklyn Monarch
Brooklyn, New York
Girl Math (VNSSA b2b Nala) w. QRTR & Guests
The Brooklyn Monarch
Brooklyn, New York
