Feature: SKALA [Interview + Premiere]

Coming from the vibrant city of Berlin, SKALA is a visionary music producer, vocalist, and DJ whose core mission is to catalyze emotional openness, which she likes to call "eSKALAtion." Starting her musical journey as a child, she blends classical piano skills with modern electronic music. SKALA's music is a masterful fusion of organic percussions, glitchy elements, and synthesized leads, creating a soundscape marked by heavy bass lines and airy melodies. She loves to play with contrasts in her productions and DJ sets, bridging dark and light elements together. This signature sound has captivated audiences worldwide and has been featured on esteemed labels including Innervisions, Stil vor Talent, Radikon, and more. In 2023, SKALA expanded her influence in the music industry by co-founding the label Amaeo with her partner Theologos. This new venture aims to introduce innovative music and support emerging artists in the industry. SKALA's global reach as a performer is impressive. She has played at major venues and events around the world, including Off Sonar in Barcelona, Klein Phonix in Istanbul, Electric Brixton in London and did multiple tours across India, Central America, Europe, and various countries in the Middle East. Her international tours not only showcase her dynamic range as a DJ but also bring her unique sound and emotional resonance to a global audience.

Hi SKALA, thanks for talking to us today. Now that we’ve reached the end of the year, how has 2024 been for you?

It’s been a great year! I’ve played in so many amazing countries, kept building my label Amaeo, and met some truly inspiring people along the way.

Let’s look back on the year, what gig of yours has stood out the most and why?

There were so many incredible gigs this year that it’s hard to choose! But two that really stood out were our first Amaeo showcases—one in Barcelona during Off Sonar, and the other at ADE in Amsterdam. Both were really special moments for the label and for me personally. Another standout was my last-ever set at Watergate before it closed. It was a four-hour closing set on the Watergate floor, and the vibe that night was unforgettable. It was fun, emotional, and an honor to be part of the club’s legacy.

Now let’s look at tracks, what is a track or tracks which have come out this year that has impressed you the most and why?

There have been so many great tracks this year, but two that stood out for me are FAE - Nemesi and Samm & Ajna - Move. Nemesi came out on Amaeo, and I love the drum work—it’s so driving and energetic. Move was in many of my sets this year; I love the big pads and the fun groove that’s just the perfect balance of dark and light, which is something I always look for.

What is a song/track you’ve never stopped listening to since childhood? And why has it stuck with you this long?

Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. It’s such a timeless masterpiece, and I’ve listened to it ever since I was a kid. My mom was in a rock band, so we had lots of old rock records at home, and Queen was one of her favorites. The song is so unique—the way it combines opera and rock, the long structure, and of course, Freddie Mercury’s voice. It’s the kind of track that never gets old.

You’ve been a producer and DJ dating back to around 2019 I believe, when you look back on those earlier years can you pinpoint pivotal moments to the success you’ve achieved today? Maybe a gig or two, or a release which really helped your propel career?

Actually, I started producing much earlier! I began with Hip-Hop when I was 15 and transitioned to electronic music around 2016. SKALA came to life in 2019, and since then there have been so many highlights. Releases on Innervisions and Stil vor Talent, collaborations with Rodriguez Jr., founding Amaeo, and playing the Turmbühne stage at Fusion Festival all stand out. It hasn’t been just one moment but a combination of consistent work, learning, and building connections over time.

What is a track that reminds you of your early days DJing and what event/club do you associate with it?

Frankey & Sandrino - Acamar ; Salon des Amateurs in Dusseldorf, Germany.

You have a new single ‘Eclipse’ which we’re delighted to host the premiere for, it’s out this week on Stil Vor Talent, tell us a bit about the track and what vibe were you going for on it?

I love playing with contrasts in my productions, and for this one, I leaned into a sound I like to call “Future Afro.” With Eclipse, I aimed for a meditative groove—softer and dreamy with big pads—but I also wanted to break it up with glitchy vocal effects and a distorted cowbell to add some edge. These days, so much music is made for peak time, but I wanted something for those deeper, more extended moments where you can really settle into the groove.

How much play has ‘Eclipse’ tracks gotten in your sets and to what reaction?

I loved to play it especially at sunny open-air gigs or during longer club sessions. The response has been really positive—people seem to love the balance between the softer vibe and the unexpected twists.

SVT is a label you’ve had a long relationship with, why was the label a good home for ‘Eclipse’ and why is it important to you to continue your creative partnership with them?

Stil vor Talent supported me early in my career, and that connection has always felt really natural. They understand my sound and give me the freedom to experiment, which is why it’s such a great home for Eclipse.

There is also an excellent remix from Ivan Masa, how involved in the remixer selection process were you? And why was Ivan a good choice to re-interpret ‚Eclipse’?

Ivan is a friend of mine and someone whose work I really admire—he’s released on Amaeo before, so I knew he’d bring something amazing to the table. His style adds a peak-time energy to the track, which contrasts nicely with the original.

We interviewed you about eighteen months ago when your Amaeo had just recently launched. Looking back over your time running the label, how has your vision and/or approach for it shifted? Or has it at all?

Our vision hasn’t really changed. It’s still about releasing quality electronic music that’s experimental but always fun. Over the last years, the scene has become so dark and serious, but for Theologos and me, it’s about keeping that sense of passion and play alive. We come from the Berlin rave scene, where the love of music brings all kinds of different people together, and that’s what Amaeo stands for. The main difference now is the pace—we’ve really ramped up our output, and by the end of this year, we’ll have our 18th release, which is huge for us.

Shifting to DJing for a moment, you have grown into an in demand talent on the global circuit so please tell us your approach to DJing and how you approach programming your sets.

I like to keep things spontaneous but organized. I use folders on my USB that are categorized by vibe, like one called ‚Bongo Bang‘ for peak-time grooves, alongside others for dreamy, experimental, or breakbeat tracks. Once I’m in the moment, I let the crowd’s energy guide me. It’s like having a conversation through music.

What were some of the main challenges and goals when starting out as a DJ and how have they changed over time?

One big challenge was learning that you can’t please everyone. Music is about connection, but not everyone will resonate with what you create—and that’s okay. Panicking and playing all kinds of different styles will only makes it worse. Over time, I’ve realized there are so many factors you can’t control—like the set time, the vibe of the DJ before you, or the sound system. The key is to stay grounded in the present, trusting your instincts, and creating from a place of authenticity. The people who are meant to connect with your sound will, and that’s where the magic lives.

What is it about DJing, compared to producing your own music, that makes it interesting for you?

DJing is alive in a way that producing isn’t. When I am producing, it’s a deeply internal process, I am exploring my own thoughts, emotions, and creativity. But DJing is a living conversation. It’s a collaboration between me and the crowd, shaped by their energy and the unique atmosphere of the moment. The beauty is in its unpredictability. The energy of the room can take my set in unexpected directions, and I love exploring that dynamic.

Can you tell me a bit about how your work as a DJ has influenced your view of music, your way of listening to tracks and perhaps also, your work as a producer?

One thing I’ve noticed is how much shorter tracks have become. With most DJ sets now being only 1.5 or 2 hours, tracks need to grab attention quickly. While I personally enjoy longer set times, this trend has definitely influenced how I approach listening and producing. Another important thing is considering how music translates on bigger stages, complex layers can easily get lost in the mix. It’s important to focus on the key elements and ensure they hit right, even if it feels a bit empty in the studio. On a large sound system, it creates a much stronger impact. I also make sure my tracks have clean intros and outros to make mixing as smooth as possible for other DJs.

How much prep do you put into the sets you play, or are they spontaneous for the most part?

Most of the prep is in finding and organizing new music. Once my folders are ready, everything else is spontaneous.

Current Top five tracks in your sets?

Julian Koerndl - Shake It
Nael & Yonn - Malditos Cambios
Mulya - Mulher Gato
FAE - Nemesi (Mëhill Remix)
Yet More & EdOne - Everybody Love

If you are not DJing, producing or socializing at clubs, where do we find you? And doing what?

Probably hanging out with friends, cooking, playing pool, or going for walks. After a long tour, though, you’ll find me in bed binge-watching TV shows or YouTube.

If you could set up an event with a line-up of five artists of your choice, who would you book and what set times would you ascribe to the artists?

This is tough because there are so many artists I love, but here’s one idea:

Stimming
Mira
Âme live B2B Trikk
Frankey & Sandrino
Laurent Garnier

If you were not a DJ/Producer what do you think you’d be doing with your life?

Probably something creative, like visual design

What’s something people do not know about you?

I’m a lot nerdier than I come across!

What TV series have you been enjoying recently and what are some of your all time favourites?

All time favorites: The Office and Friends! Recently, I really enjoyed The Bear.

What can we look forward to from you in 2025? Any releases or gigs you are looking forward to?

I’ve got a collaboration with Xinobi coming out on Discotexas, an EP on Amaeo, and lots of other projects in the works that I can’t reveal just yet. In terms of gigs, I’m hoping for some great summer festivals and planning a US tour in the spring.