Introducing Pop Music’s New Electric Talent… Stela Cole
Attention music enthusiasts! Pop star Stela Cole is ready to take over the music world. Hailing from Georgia, the young talent first fell in love with music at 16. After suffering a serious back injury that ended her soccer career, the young talent shifted her focus to music to cope with her loss. As she healed from her injury, Stela’s recreational interest in the creative art form soon turned to love, which resulted in her writing her own songs. After deciding to pursue music full-time, the emerging songstress continued to hone her craft and lyrical prowess. In 2018 the young talent made waves in the music industry after releasing her hit track ‘You F O’ to critical acclaim. Due to its popularity, Stela landed a record deal and even released her first EP ‘Throwing Up Butterflies.’ However, Stela soon found herself constricted by her record label, resulting in her departure the following year.
Despite experiencing a slight setback at the start of her career, Stela has persevered by releasing more impressive singles and signing a new deal with Ultra Records. With her dedicated fan base continuing to grow and her latest tracks ‘Bye Bye Blues’ and ‘Rhapsody In Pink’ making the round, there are no signs of Stela slowing down her upward trajectory. We were able to chat with the young talent about everything from her musical inspirations, creative process, music goals, and so much more. Read the full interview below.
Let’s take it back to the beginning. Which genres of music/artists jump started your musical journey?
I grew up listening to all genres and eras of music, but I really fell in love with Motown and doo-wop from the 60s and 70s. I love Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Ronettes, The Beach Boys, Aretha Franklin, Jackson Five, etc. I love their background vocals and wanted to craft my bgvs the same way in my music. Even though I’ve evolved since I started developing, doo-wop and Motown will always be incorporated into my sound. I’ve also been heavily inspired by Rihanna since I was little and looked up to her as such an empowering female figure in the industry.
Aside from the industry, did you have any other musical individuals to look up to for inspiration?
I didn’t really have anybody musical in my family or around me growing up, but my dad LOVES listening to music and introduced me to a lot of the artists that ended up shaping my sound.
If you could describe your sound in 3 words, what would they be?
Spontaneous, vibrant, and empowering.
That leads me to your fantastic single ‘Rhapsody In Pink.’ What was the creative process behind the record?
I had been scheming “Rhapsody In Pink” for over 5 years. I borrowed the main melody from “Rhapsody In Blue” by George Gershwin, but the idea initially sparked from Baz Luhrmann’s production of The Great Gatsby. The song plays in the background as they introduce Gatsby’s character for the first time, and I couldn’t resist wanting to flip the record. I waited for the song to go into public domain in 2020, and then waited to find the right producer to help execute my vision. I eventually met my producer Alex and we wrote “Rhapsody In Pink” in November of last year (2021). It came together effortlessly.
You’ve been teasing fans of a new song, “STAR,” which you’ll be releasing in the coming weeks. What can you tell us about this track?
“Star” is heavily inspired by Kanye’s albums Late Registration and Graduation. I was also listening to Fergie’s debut album The Dutchess, and tons of other music from the early 2000’s at the time. The post melody was even inspired by The Jackson 5, so “Star” has quite the melting pot of a sound. I wrote the chorus at 2 AM one night after I had hit rock bottom and felt like nobody believed in me. I needed something to motivate and remind me of my worth, and this song came along when I needed it the most. It’s the ultimate pump up song.
Is there a message or theme that you want fans to take away after listening?
I want people to feel empowered when they listen to “Star.” It’s about self-affirmation and believing in yourself even when nobody else does. I also want my fans to have fun when they hear this record. While it’s aggressively confident, it also has tongue and cheek elements in the verses and chorus. It’s about the balance of being confident, while letting go and celebrating what makes you unique.
With ‘Rhapsody In Pink’ continuing to make the rounds, what else can we expect from this new era of Stela Cole? Is there an album or EP on the way?
I’m working towards my debut album, which is insanely exciting. Every song I have coming out feels completely unique and colorful… But no matter the emotion I’m expressing, there’s elements that tie all the records together to feel like a little universe of sound.
Any plans for some live shows in the coming future?
My first show is November 10th in Los Angeles!! I’ve been waiting to play live shows for what feels like forever… I’m so excited to finally connect with people in person through my music. This show will be kickstarting so many more live performances soon.
Looking five years ahead, what goals do you want to accomplish as an artist?
I want to continue growing and evolving into my artistry and tour the world playing shows. I want to make progress in music and be able to execute my vision in all the ways I see it in my head. I also hope to empower others to be the most authentic versions of themselves and spread uplifting energy through my songs.
Make sure to check out check out Stela Cole’s latest record ‘Bye Bye Blues’ here or below
