BELLA On The Rise: New EP, Gudu Records & Festival Prep

Born and raised in Amsterdam, BELLA is making waves in the electronic music scene with her uplifting house sound infused with '90s nostalgia, acid, breakbeat, and progressive elements. Her debut EP Note to Self (April 2024, Big Saldo’s Chunkers) and follow-up Bicycle Bounce (August 2024, Slam City Jams) showcase her energetic, genre-blurring style.

With standout performances at festivals like Lowlands and iconic clubs including De School and Ministry of Sound, BELLA continues to captivate audiences and push sonic boundaries. We had the pleasure to sit down with BELLA!

We’re Good is already out and feels like a proper dancefloor mood swing — bouncy, bold, and cheeky. What was the vibe in the studio when you made it?

I finished the track just before last summer. I was messing around with some samples in the studio, and once I added the vocal over the bassline, it just clicked. It felt playful and also like something fresh. Every time I finish a track, even if it’s still unmastered, I test it in my sets, and this one got a really nice reaction.

You’re about to drop Was It You? next. How do you know when a track is finished and ready to hit the world — especially in such a fast-paced scene?

I actually started producing before I started DJing, but for the longest time I couldn’t seem to finish anything. It’s the classic producer curse, I guess. It wasn’t until I started playing out more regularly and experiencing the energy of the dancefloor that things began to flow creatively. Now I have a rule: even if I’m not fully feeling a track anymore, I still finish it. That mindset really helps my workflow and keeps things moving.

Your music blends acid, breakbeat, house, and progressive — but it never sounds like a throwback. How do you keep it nostalgic and fresh at the same time?

That’s such a nice compliment, thank you! It’s also definitely something I aim for. I get a lot of inspiration from older tracks, but the fun part is figuring out how to put my own twist on them. It’s taken a while to craft a sound that really feels like “me” and I think that’s what you’re starting to hear come through now.

You’ve released on Chunkers, Slam City Jams, and now Gudu — what made Gudu the right label for this particular EP?

I’ve always looked up to Peggy, both her DJ sets and her productions. I remember seeing her play De School back in 2017 and I got so inspired. For me, it’s really important that a track feels like it has a “home,” and once this EP came together, I just had a gut feeling it would fit on Gudu. I didn’t know how to get it there though, until I went to DGTL and heard Peggy play a track from my Chunkers release. That gave me the push. We ended up meeting and was so happy she liked the tracks :)

There’s a fun, gritty edge to your sound — it’s high-energy but never overproduced. Is that a conscious choice in your production process?

Yes, definitely, in a way. After COVID, there was this rush toward faster BPMs and harder sounds, and while I totally get the energy behind that, I really try to stay true to house music. I believe you can still create big moments with more minimal, edgy drops. For me, it’s about how the set builds, how everything connects. That’s where the magic is.

You’ve played everything from Berghain to Lost Village. What’s the one venue or festival set that really felt like, “Yeah, this is exactly why I do this”?

Honestly, I get that feeling quite a lot, which is such a gift. But Berghain really stood out. It was one of those moments where I felt totally free to just play what felt good. I also just came back from a weekender at Macadam in Nantes, which is such a special place. You really get to build the night together with the crowd. Every time I see people truly enjoying the music, the night, and each other, that’s the moment I remember why I do this.

Amsterdam’s scene is exploding, but you’ve also played across Europe. What’s something about your hometown that still surprises or inspires you creatively?

I think Amsterdam is incredibly open to new genres, new spaces, and new scenes. The way queer collectives have carved out their own spaces is really inspiring. Of course, something as big as ADE has its commercial side, but it still shows the city’s commitment to nightlife. I also throw my own events at Lofi, and the way things keep evolving here gives me so much energy.

Gudu Records has a global flavor — artists from Seoul to Lisbon. Has working with that kind of community influenced your perspective or direction?

Absolutely. Meeting people from different scenes and playing in new places always gives me fresh inspiration. At its core, it’s all about house music, and that’s a universal language, but being around different communities within the music definitely helps broaden my perspective.

With the EP dropping June 19 and summer stacked with gigs like Lago Lago and Mysteryland — how are you preparing for a festival season that could define your year?

I always get a little nervous when festival season is around the corner, you get so used to those late-night underground club sets and festivals are very different, obviously. But I love it, it’s so much fun. Every year around April, I go through my full digital and vinyl collection to see what I’m bringing into summer. I’m not preparing much differently than in past years, just with a lot more of my own productions in the bag this time :)

Looking beyond this release cycle... what’s next? More music, collabs, secret sets, or are you cooking something totally unexpected?

All of the above, haha! This summer, I’ve got a remix coming out for an artist I really admire, which I’m super excited about. I’ll also be playing b2b with Zombies in Miami at my own event, Palet at Lofi, can’t wait for that one. And honestly… just lots and lots more music and collabs in the pipeline. I’m really looking forward to diving back into the studio after the first wave of festivals, full of new energy and inspiration. Shall I end on a cliché? Big things coming :)

With a summer full of festivals, new releases, and creative collaborations on the horizon, BELLA is clearly hitting her stride — and having a lot of fun doing it. Whether behind the decks or in the studio, she’s shaping a sound that’s as fresh as it is timeless. One thing’s for sure: this is just the beginning.