“I don’t think I ever had the conscious thought: I want to be a performer, but it was more like, I need to make music and performing comes with that.” tells us Stella Santana who has released her rad YAYAYA EP in November last year. Her latest collaboration with Flyo and Jesse James Solomon – In The Mood, brings us into a chilled mood and convinces with a really cool R&B sound. We wanted to find out more about the collaboration and Stella reveals why she is very much drawn to New York life and that her style comes from comfort mostly.
Interview and Photography by Christopher Brown
How was collaborating on your new track ‘In The Mood’ with Flylo and Jesse James Solomon?
Collab-ing with Flyo and Jesse was fun! Flyo and I had our session this past summer on an uncharacteristically hot day in London. We just vibed and I left the session with that first verse + pre. I didn’t get a chance to meet Jesse till the video shoot out here in NYC — we all grabbed a few drinks and butchered a game of pool the night before the shoot–it was a lot of fun. Laughs. They’re both great guys. Smiles.
You seem to split your time between Los Angeles and New York. What characteristics of these two cities do you find yourself most drawn to?
I’m very much drawn to NYC life overall–I get a bit restless without a lot of stimulation and energy, so when I’m headed to LA, I like to make sure my schedule is packed before I get there. but obviously the weather, the beach, and the mountains are incomparable and I don’t take that for granted.
“Always do it from the heart, let the intention be to share a vulnerable piece of yourself so that others can find the strength to love a similar part of themselves as well.”
As a woman in a male-dominated industry, what does it mean to you to find yourself and other women finding success in music?
I think men in the industry are starting to value us (slowly but surely – laughs) and I also think women in general are giving less f*cks about being understood by others and focusing more on understanding ourselves, both of which are moving us forward.
At what moment did you know you were going to be a performer?
I don’t think I ever had the conscious thought: I want to be a performer, but it was more like, I need to make music and performing comes with that. Creating in the studio is my first love but bringing that same energy it took to create the song in the studio to the stage is another aspect I really enjoy exploring.
Your style ranges anywhere from casually cool to sophisticated chic. Where does your style inspiration come from?
My style comes from comfort mostly. Laughs. I’ve never been an over-the-top kind of person so I like to keep my style understated, like, if you know, you know. I grew up playing sports/being a tomboy (as it was called then. laughs) so I tend to gravitate toward more masculine/androgynous silhouettes with feminine details. I can feel fly AF in sweatpants so to me, it’s really what you bring to the clothes and not the other way around.
“I think women in general are giving less f*cks about being understood by others and focusing more on understanding ourselves.”
You were just spotted at this year’s NYFW. What designers are you into right now? Any favorites?
Yes! I got to attend the private policy show, which I loved loved loved!! I love Balenciaga, Prada, Saint Laurent, y project… I’m just mentally browsing through my closet quickly. Laughs. I like pairing that stuff with dickies or Nike or sundae school or Sackville (cannabis companies w/ clothes!!)
Growing up with artistic parents, what has been the best piece of advice they have given you on creating?
Always do it from the heart, let the intention be to share a vulnerable piece of yourself so that others can find the strength to love a similar part of themselves as well. resonance > validation.
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