Girl Math: How Nala and VNSSA are infusing electronic music with feminist punk

Before Nala and VNSSA started DJing together, they would exchange photos of oysters in a group chat they called “We're F***king Eating.”

Though the food photos have since dwindled and now photos of dachshunds reign supreme, the two continue to share not only palpable chemistry, but also a camaraderie that has only grown stronger over the years.

The friendship began thanks to Dirtybird. They met in person for the first time in the midst of the pandemic, circa 2021, at a drive-in rave. VNSSA, whose real name is Vanessa Barnes, arrived early to see Nala, Stefania Aronin, play her set. After crossing paths at the show, the two began hanging out and DJing together.

“We would complain to each other about the male-dominated music industry, share experiences about it and connect through that,” Barnes says. EDM.com in an exclusive interview.

It wasn't long before Barnes and Aronin were booked for their first b2b performance together during Miami Music Week on Walker & Royce's label, Rules Don't Apply.

“[Walker & Royce] “We were joking that our duo would be called VaNala Ice,” Barnes recalls with a laugh. “That’s where it all started and then we got more B2B offers and thought maybe we should make this a real thing.”

As demand for their b2b sets increased, the duo had to decide on a collaborative moniker. They were preparing for their debut performance at Coachella’s beloved Do LaB when the name finally materialized.

“There was a moment when I thought I should be a 'girl' or something,” Aronin says. “I had a punk vibe.”

“Our friend Nikki has a joke: four plus four equals 'math,'” Barnes adds. “So we thought, 'Girl Math,' that should be the name. But it's more than that… Having 'girl' in the name is empowering and feels like a feminist movement.”

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“Childhood means 'everything,'” Aronin and Barnes agreed.

“There's one thing implicit in the girl stage: we're really good at everything and we try our best, and sometimes that doesn't get recognized,” Aronin explains. “So the girl stage is about doing things, even if that means not fully recognizing the work that went into it.”

Nala and VNSSA, each a star DJ and producer in their own right, found that growing up in the music industry was inextricably linked to isolation and disillusionment. The opportunity to collaborate cultivated a sense of unity and comfort, they said, which ultimately aided their creative process and strengthened their bond.

“When you're touring alone, it's very easy to get tired and it's boring to be alone. That's why it's a lot more fun to have a partner on the road,” says Barnes. “When you're playing together, you have another person you can bounce ideas off of, and instead of just relying on yourself, you have another person you can rely on. So it's nice to have that kind of support.”

Girl Math has already performed at Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, Splash House and other major music festivals. They are now preparing for their first main showwhich is scheduled for November 1 at the Chocolate Factory Theater in New York City.

Drawing inspiration from their respective rock music backgrounds, the pair found common ground in live instrumentation and began infusing those shared interests into their music with a punk edge. Aronin said she's great “at coming up with random sound design concepts,” while Barnes brings much of Girl Math's “structure, stability, and direction.”

“It's just my anxiety,” Barnes says with a laugh, blushing at the compliment.

While Aronin brings his affinity for riot grrrl-influenced vocals, Barnes offers his drum skills with a metal edge. It was a perfect match.

“Before I was a DJ, I thought being a drummer in a metal band was the coolest thing you could do,” Aronin enthuses. “So I thought we need to incorporate this story from both sides and make this into something loud, fun and chaotic. That’s where we meet in the middle – a rock-centric approach to music. And when I say structure, I really mean the drums. She takes the drums to a really solid and structured level.”

“We want to draw inspiration from live music as much as possible,” Barnes adds. “I think that can be heard in our production as well, because there are a lot of live drum elements along with synths and Nala's vocals. It gives it a very rough and rebellious sound. It's a mix of us together.”

Through the unique lens of Girl Math, Aronin and Barnes say they ultimately hope to inspire other female producers in the electronic music scene.

“Do whatever you want and do whatever you want,” Barnes says with a smile. “Don't worry about what other people think. Do what makes you feel good.”

“Surround yourself with supportive people,” Aronin adds, “and screw everyone else.”

Follow VNSSA:

UNKNOWN: x.com/VNSSAmusic
Instagram: Instagram.com/vnssa
TikTok: tiktok.com/@vnssaofficial
Facebook: facebook.com/vnssaofficial
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3z5EYe2

Follow Nala:

UNKNOWN: x.com/thisisnalaa
Instagram: Instagram.com/thisisnala
TikTok: tiktok.com/@thisisnalaa
Facebook: facebook.com/thisisnala
Spotify: spoti.fi/3PaEghQ

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