Hailing from the ancient city of Athens, Greece, the honey-kissed sounds of Σtella possess the timeless quality of myth. The effortless, tropical tracks on the artist’s latest Sub Pop release, Adagio, swaddle the listener in calming soundscapes while the singer’s gentle voice creates a profound sense of connection. The thoughtful composer opens up about collaborating with Rafael Cohen of !!!, capturing the attention of one of the world’s most revered record labels, and how the Roland INTEGRA-7 helped paint the colorful world of her new album.
Taking it Slow
How did the title Adagio emerge?
I don’t even know how that word came. When I was writing the song, I was singing in my head, roughly putting together some lyrics, and it started with an A. It means “in slow time.” That’s a concept that interests me: to not rush things and to take your time when time is needed.
I think that applies to different levels in my life. I have a specific process for things, and the fact that I’m doing something slowly means I get more out of it. Like how surgeons do something very slowly because they want to be sure what they’re doing is right.
Describe the gestation process of creating the new album.
I don’t have a plan when working on records. My previous record was written in a period of two weeks. We had COVID, and after 2020 was a period of time where we all slowed down, and so many things changed. I had just released an album, and I was supposed to tour that album, but none of that happened.
I wasn’t doing any admin work, which I usually do, because I also manage myself and do everything. So, then I had time to go to the studio a lot. I didn’t have a plan. I was just writing, and I also met Raphael from !!! during that time period.
"I have a specific process for things, and the fact that I'm doing something slowly means I get more out of it."
From Greece to Sub Pop
You live in Athens and even reference Aristotle on the song “Too Poor.” Does Greek lore show up in your art?
I was laughing when I wrote that. Greece has history and everything. I grew up listening to my grandfather’s 7-inches with songs from the ’30s from the ’40s. He had this old gramophone you had to turn. I still have it. It’s called a manuevella.
I’m definitely inspired by that era, and there’s so much great music from Greece. But then growing up, when I was a teenager, I’d listen to Nirvana and all these amazing bands. This is the first album where I sing in Greek—I’ve never done it before.
Tell us about your journey from being a Greek artist and focusing on your home country to signing with Sub Pop.
I always sang in English, so it was pretty clear from early on that to have some sort of breakthrough, I’d have to find an international label to help me. Otherwise, I had no chance. You know what I mean?
If somebody asked me ten years ago if I would sign with some Sub Pop, I’d probably tell them they’re crazy, because Greece is not on the map musically. We don’t exist in that way.
It took a lot of effort and a lot of emails. I sent a blind email, and it got to the Sub Pop’s vice president. I get goosebumps when I think about it. After three months, he replied. I remember the email started, “I hope you haven’t given up on me.” I was jumping for joy when I received that email.
Transportive Sounds
There’s a lot of nylon string guitar on the album.
It’s mainly Rafael playing nylon string on this album, but I also play a bit on a couple of songs. When I first started playing, I used to play nylon string guitar. I remembered what it felt like to play and sing and I kind of wanted to return to that. Of course, there are other instruments in the album-making process. I had just bought the Roland INTEGRA-7.
"If somebody asked me ten years ago if I would sign with some Sub Pop, I’d probably tell them they're crazy, because Greece is not on the map musically."
How did the INTEGRA-7 influence the record?
I was craving this piece of hardware for a long time. At some point, I managed to get the money to buy it and that was also when I started working on the album. It was so exciting because it has like 6000 sounds. I was so nerdy, I was going through every sound and even printed out the sound list.
I have a highlighter marker, and I highlighted every sound I really liked so I’d remember it—because you can lose yourself. The instrumental track, “Corfu,” is entirely written with the INTEGRA. It reminded me of a little donkey walking. I always like to have one instrumental track.
Adagio has a breezy mood. Would you like to take people to a more peaceful place?
One-hundred percent. If I can make the people who listen to this album feel soothed, I’ll be really happy. That’s what I was going for.
