July 14, 2025 • 49 mins
Steller just wrapped her first headlining tour — and she’s doing things differently. In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to build a career with intention, from learning to trust your gut to putting your mental health first in an industry that often glorifies the grind.
We get into:
- How Steller partnered with To Write Love On Her Arms to bring mental health resources to her shows
- Why she waited a full year before going on tour — and how she knew the timing was right
- The emotional and somatic signals she listens to when making big career decisions
- How to avoid burnout and comparison while still building a successful brand
- Why putting yourself out there on socials is a non-negotiable — even if it feels scary
If you’re building something meaningful and want to do it on your own terms, this one’s for you.
Follow Steller here:
https://www.instagram.com/stellersounds
Follow Nik Cherwink here:
https://www.instagram.com/nikcherwink
And visit my site to join the mailing list or book a free coaching call:
https://www.nikcherwink.com
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Stellern (00:00):
there's so many just different influences.
(00:01):
Like your team has an opinion,your friends, your family, like
you should do this and do that.
But at the end of the day, like.
if you really do listen to yourintuition, like that is the
truth.
And like that is what you shouldfollow.
Nik Cherwink (00:23):
What's up everybody?
Welcome to the Headliner Mindsetpodcast.
This week's guest is one of thehottest rising acts in the bass
music scene.
She just wrapped up her firstever headlining tour playing
huge shows all over the countryand absolutely crushing it.
This is someone that I wasreally excited to get on the
podcast because I just reallyrespect what she's doing as an
artist by using her platform tospread awareness about mental
(00:46):
health, which is something thatI think is so important for all
of us to be talking about.
So we really go deep into that.
This episode, we talk about thespecific tools and practices
that she uses to take care ofher mental health, how to access
and trust your intuition, and ofcourse, the story of how she
built her brand and her fanbase.
So without further ado, this isstellar.
(01:07):
Stellar.
Welcome to the Headliner MindsetPodcast.
So happy to have you on here.
Stellern (01:13):
I am excited to be here.
Thanks for having me.
Nik Cherwink (01:15):
I'm really excited to dig into this conversation
'cause I think that you aredoing something different.
You're really standing forsomething important and using
your platform to just promote apowerful message, which I think
more artists should be doing.
And so just want to yeah,celebrate you for that and I'm
really excited to dive in withyou.
Stellern (01:35):
Thanks.
Yeah.
I have always been a big,proponent of promoting mental
health and bringing awareness toit and kind of like bringing the
stigma.
I've been in therapy for likealmost 10 years now and
Nik Cherwink (01:50):
Mm.
Stellern (01:51):
it benefits me in every way and has really changed
my life, so.
If I can provide resources orlike a voice for people that
might be afraid to like seekhelp or not know where to turn,
then
Nik Cherwink (02:04):
Yeah.
Stellern (02:04):
so happy to do that.
Nik Cherwink (02:06):
Totally.
Totally.
Well, I'm excited to dig intothat.
You know, before we get there,I'd love to hear a little bit
about your story and how you gotinto making music in the first
place.
Like what was your firstintroduction to actually
creating music?
Where did that begin?
Stellern (02:20):
So I've always been in music in some capacity, I would
say
Nik Cherwink (02:24):
I.
Stellern (02:25):
way back, like when I was in fourth grade, I started
learning guitar.
And that was kind of like myfirst intro into music.
Um, and then from there Istarted doing voice lessons.
And then I went to college formusic.
So I have a bachelor's of musicand the, the program I was in
was for audio engineering
Nik Cherwink (02:44):
Hmm.
What program was that that youdid?
Stellern (02:47):
Um, it was the music technology program at Florida
Atlantic University, and I waslike, actually I didn't even
know that was a thing, like whenI was applying to colleges, like
I was applying specifically formusic programs, but they were
all classical
Nik Cherwink (03:00):
Yeah.
Stellern (03:01):
um, to be in like,
Nik Cherwink (03:03):
Like sight reading and stuff.
Stellern (03:05):
just like all that
Nik Cherwink (03:05):
Yeah.
Stellern (03:05):
And then Florida Atlantic, which is literally
down the street from me, hadthis commercial music program.
And I was like, wow, this islike exactly what I want to do.
So
Nik Cherwink (03:14):
Yeah.
Stellern (03:15):
perfect.
Nik Cherwink (03:16):
So were you into electronic music at the time?
When did you get into the kindof EDM scene in.
Stellern (03:22):
that was like, when I was in high school, I started
getting into, raves andelectronic music.
I went to my first rave when Iwas 15, just like snuck in and
it was like an.
Nik Cherwink (03:32):
Hell yeah.
Love that.
Stellern (03:35):
It was, it definitely opened my eyes to a lot of
things just because before thatI was really into more indie
alternative like singersongwriter stuff.
Um, so I went to a rave that wasamazing and then I started
diving more into that and I wentto my first Pretty lights
concert
Nik Cherwink (03:52):
Hmm.
Stellern (03:53):
that was just like open the flood gates for
everything.
'cause I was like, whoa, this iselectronic and more organic
elements like with like drumsand guitars and instruments.
And it was my first intro toblending those two styles kind
Nik Cherwink (04:08):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Stellern (04:09):
in love with it from there and, yeah.
Nik Cherwink (04:12):
What was the moment?
'cause I feel like everyone hada moment where they were like,
they were in the crowd seeing anartist and they're like, I want
to actually be up there.
Like I want to be that personcurating the set and performing
rather than just being in thecrowd.
Did you have a specific momentthat you can remember where
you're like, I want to actuallydo that?
Stellern (04:31):
Yeah.
Um, well that Pretty Lightsconcert was definitely very
eyeopening to me and I fell inlove with their music.
But I think the moment thatyou're referring to, I remember
seeing, I.
Alice in Wonderland in 2015 whenshe was first coming up.
And that was my first timeseeing a female artist as well.
And I was like, whoa, this isreally cool.
(04:52):
She is doing her thing, she's abadass.
And then I saw her a few yearslater, or maybe that same year
at EDC Orlando, and that was myfirst like very big festival.
And I just remember watching herbeing like, damn, I wanna be up
there one day if she's
Nik Cherwink (05:08):
Yeah.
Stellern (05:09):
I can do it too.
Nik Cherwink (05:10):
Yeah.
So it sounds like that was animportant piece of it was to
actually see a woman up there,someone that's like, you are
like me, you're not a dude likeall these other guys.
And so that probably, yeah, Itotally get that.
Like, and it's a, I think it'san interesting, I.
Thing to think about is like ifwe're not seeing people that you
know, we really look like orlike kind of resonate with,
right.
Almost on an unconscious level,there might be a little bit of a
(05:33):
degree of like separation fromthat.
Stellern (05:36):
For sure.
I feel like there is something,like you said, like
subconsciously about that, evenif it's not registering,
Nik Cherwink (05:43):
Yeah.
Stellern (05:43):
it makes it easier when you see someone looks like
you or is advocating for you.
Um, it just like makes it easierto want to do that or it seems
more in reach, it doesn't seemso like untouchable if, because
I feel like for me at least.
It was always like male DJs andlike, wow, that's really cool.
But it kind of seems like out ofgrass for me.
Nik Cherwink (06:05):
Yeah.
Stellern (06:05):
saw Alison Wonderland doing her thing, I was like,
okay,
Nik Cherwink (06:09):
Yeah.
Stellern (06:09):
It's real.
Nik Cherwink (06:10):
Yeah.
I had a really good conversationwith Lady Faith.
She was on the podcast a whileback and a super good episode.
You guys, if you haven'tlistened to it, go check that
one out.
Just, I think similarly, likeshe, I.
She just has a fucking mission.
She's got this, like there's areason for why she's doing what
she's doing, which I think, youknow, not everybody has, but I
(06:31):
see that similar parallel withyou, that there's an actual,
like purpose underneath, whatyou're doing.
Um, but she shared the samething where she was like going
to clubs all the time and thenshe's like, I finally saw a
woman doing this, and I waslike, oh fuck.
Like.
I can do it too.
Like something kind of clickedand registered in her brain.
So yeah.
So super important that you'regetting out there and like
really showing all the othergirlies, like, yo, there's a
(06:52):
fucking space for us up here,
Stellern (06:53):
Yes, for sure.
Nik Cherwink (06:55):
Hell yeah.
sippy is one of my clients, soI've been like loving seeing
her, just killing it.
And I feel like there's a lotof, especially like in the bass
music scene, I think there'ssome pretty badass women that
are making waves and doing somecool things.
Who are the other female artiststhat like you really, look up to
and wanna shout out like theother girls out there that are
crushing it?
Stellern (07:15):
I'm definitely gonna shout out my besties in, she is
like one of my really goodfriends in the space and also
collaborator and we have an EPcoming out soon and I've just
like, we've been really closeand she's helped me a lot and I
think vice versa, just kind ofnavigate things and yeah, she's
just a great human and she alsohas a mission and is killing it
(07:39):
out there.
So definitely wanna give her ashout out.
I also like, really like Cloy.
She's one of the first femaleartists alongside Alice
Wonderland that I saw, andreally enjoyed her music as
well.
Um, there's a bunch of girliesthough, like Auster iss also
really amazing.
Um, like you said, sippy iskilling it.
She's great.
Like I see her on socials allthe time, just like putting
(08:01):
herself
Nik Cherwink (08:01):
She's so fun.
Yeah.
Stellern (08:03):
I think
Nik Cherwink (08:04):
Yeah.
Stellern (08:04):
that.
Nik Cherwink (08:05):
Cool.
Cool.
So, okay, you decided you wantedto produce and make music, you
went to college, spent some timelearning that.
When did you start the StellarProject and how long have you
been working on this?
Stellern (08:19):
So I always like, I wanted to do this, but didn't
really know like how it wasgoing to come to be.
So when I was in school foraudio engineering, that's when I
started.
my own music and really divinginto, like, trying to find a
sound and stuff.
But I would say when Igraduated, that's when I like
Stellar.
So a couple years ago.
(08:40):
Yeah, so I would say like fiveyears ago is when Stellar was
born.
Nik Cherwink (08:45):
Yeah.
Stellern (08:46):
name and the idea for it.
Nik Cherwink (08:49):
And so right now you are in the middle or maybe
wrapping up, I think aheadlining tour right now.
You've been out there like I sawyour tour flyers out, you've
been got dates on the books,like you're doing the damn
thing, right?
We are out of the bedroom and weare out here doing it.
Stellern (09:04):
Mm-hmm.
Nik Cherwink (09:04):
what would you say have been some of the main
ingredients for success for thisproject?
Stellern (09:11):
Well, it just really honestly, like it takes time.
Like I know there's a phrasethat people say where it's like,
it takes five years to be anovernight success kind of thing,
or whatever and I feel like thathas some value to it because I'm
on year five and it's the firsttime I'm doing my own headline
tour, and I've just beenpatient, been grinding.
Making as much music aspossible, really honing in on my
(09:33):
sound, and having like a reallycohesive vision for what I want
to give to people.
And I think that's what hashelped me do this headline tour
and be where I'm at.
Um,'cause I had the opportunityto do.
A tour last year and I don'tknow, I just didn't like, feel
right about it.
Like I felt like I could havedone it, but I wanted to wait so
(09:55):
that, my vision was morecomplete.
Um, I just don't wanna do thingslike haphazardly.
So I think it was like perfecttiming to do it and with the Tri
Love on our arms partnershiptoo, like that was just perfect.
Nik Cherwink (10:08):
Yeah.
Let's definitely talk aboutthat.
Um, I find that so interestingthat you waited.
'cause I think a lot of peoplewould be like chomping at the
bit to like, oh my God, I wannaget out, I wanna play shows.
I wanna, like, everyone is soanxious to get out there.
So the fact that you were like,wait, I'm actually not quite
ready and you chose to wait,
Stellern (10:27):
yeah.
Nik Cherwink (10:27):
a little bit more about.
Why you chose to wait and whatit was specifically about
feeling prepared to reallyexecute this vision that you
have.
Stellern (10:36):
Yeah.
I mean I definitely was eager toplay shows and get out there and
do this, so I definitelyteetered on, oh, well maybe I
should, maybe I shouldn't.
But I really just tried to bestill and listen to like my
intuition and that just told meto like wait a little bit
longer.
Um.
And I think it panned out well.
So, yeah.
Nik Cherwink (10:58):
So.
I just perked up a little bitbecause that piece about being
still and listening to yourintuition, it's so funny.
I totally believe thateverything is divinely
orchestrated.
Synchronicity is such a realthing.
I literally, 30 minutes agobefore we got on this, I was
just talking to my girlfriendabout something that came up to
(11:19):
today very, very strongly, whichwas this reminder to.
Trust myself to listen tomyself, and that all of the
answers are already inside of me
Stellern (11:29):
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (11:30):
it's so easy to be looking outside of yourself for
all the answers.
There's so many, you know, booksand podcasts and coaching
programs and mentors, andeveryone's on social media and
has an opinion.
So tell me a little bit moreabout sitting with yourself and
listening to your intuition.
Stellern (11:45):
That's definitely been a process to get to that point.
Um, I feel like just within likethe last year or two, I've
really been starting to actuallytrust myself because like you
said, there's so many justdifferent influences.
Like your team has an opinion,like your friends, your family,
like you should do this and dothat.
But at the end of the day, like.
if you really do listen to yourintuition, like that is the
truth.
(12:05):
And like that is what you shouldfollow.
And I feel like I've been testeda lot recently and I've been
practicing that, just sittingand trusting myself and it's
always worked out and I'm like,
Nik Cherwink (12:15):
Yeah.
Stellern (12:16):
write it down.
'cause like, I wanna like keep alog of every time I've like
trusted myself and it's workedout.
So it just is a reminder to keepdoing that.
Um, but yeah, like the otherday.
I had an offer come in and I waslike, oh, maybe I should take
it.
Maybe I shouldn't.
My team was like, you need totake this offer, like this
really good offer, likewhatever.
And I just like didn't feelright about it.
(12:37):
And so I said no, and they werelike upset, but then the next
day I had an even better offercome in
Nik Cherwink (12:43):
Yes.
Stellern (12:43):
like, this is why I waited.
Like this is why the voiceinside of me said, don't do it.
So
Nik Cherwink (12:49):
so real, so real.
Yeah.
I have a countless long list ofexamples just like that.
Even just from like literallytoday, what had come up for me
was I was actually consideringjoining a coaching program that
I was gonna sign up for and be apart of, and.
Just from even just booking thecall, it was like the, like the
calendar system was like, itwent to my spam folder and then
(13:12):
had this weird sort of likesuspicious thing and then the
guy had the wrong date and waslike texting me and I was just
like, this automatic, I waslike, I just got this weird
feeling.
It just feels off.
And then even today, like wefinally were gonna have the call
and then it was like he waslate.
It was like, oh, I'm gonna befive minutes late now.
I'm gonna be 10 minutes late.
I was just like, you know what?
Like, this just doesn't feellike a fuck.
Yeah.
Stellern (13:32):
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (13:33):
And I'm, I'm curious if you could share about
how does somebody actually tapinto their intuition?
Like how do you actually accessthat?
Stellern (13:41):
Um, I feel like you said if there's any little
inkling of hesitation or likethis might feel wrong, it's so
important to just sit with thatand not just like jump to
listening to what your team issaying or what your friends are
saying.
Just take a moment and sit withyourself.
Like my mantra for this pastyear is nothing is life or
(14:03):
death.
Like no matter what someone ismaking it seem like the
pressure, whatever, like that isnot the case.
You can take the time, you cantake an hour, you can take a day
to just sit with yourself andwhat you feel and really process
and just like suss out if it'sright for you or if it's not
right for you.
And.
Like paying attention to thesigns, like you said, like the
(14:24):
spam folder and him being late,like all those little things add
up and kind of fuel that knowingthat you have already.
So just pay attention, I guessis what I would say.
Nik Cherwink (14:35):
Yeah, beautifully said.
Stellern (14:36):
Thanks.
Nik Cherwink (14:37):
funny'cause it can be.
Sometimes just a subtle thing oflike, oh, I just have this weird
kind of you know?
It's like, it's a feeling,right?
It's call it, I dunno.
It's a gut feeling.
Like sometimes it's verypowerful though.
It's like a visceral, like mybody is talking to me, right?
Because it's like, it's the mindand the body, right?
Your brain has all of your.
(14:58):
Just the mental thoughts, the,the actual mental process.
But then there's like a literallike physical somatic process of
like, my body has wisdom and isalso talking to me all the time
too.
And can I, I think so much of itboils down to can I have the
courage to trust it?
Stellern (15:15):
Mm-hmm.
Nik Cherwink (15:16):
Right.
Stellern (15:16):
yeah, the word somatic is so good too.
'cause that's definitely what itis.
Um, and having the courage,because it's always like, you
wanna listen to like yourmentors and people that know and
have the knowledge and likeobviously like they're bringing
value to the table and like theyhave that knowledge, but you
also have like an inner knowingthat maybe because.
(15:37):
You're newer in the industry orlike whatever you're doing, it
might seem like you can't trustit, but obviously it's there for
a reason, so you should
Nik Cherwink (15:45):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Stellern (15:45):
And the somatic thing too, always feel like if I have
anxiety about something thatmeans it's not good for
Nik Cherwink (15:53):
Um
Stellern (15:53):
there's a difference with exciting anxiety.
Like before I play a show andlike anxiety, anxiety and like
if it's that, then usually I'm
Nik Cherwink (16:02):
hmm.
Stellern (16:02):
it's a no go.
Nik Cherwink (16:04):
Yeah.
You know, I think one of theother.
Best ways for us to learn how totrust our intuition is in the
moments that we don't,
Stellern (16:12):
Mm-hmm.
Nik Cherwink (16:13):
because everybody has experienced that before
where you have said yes tosomething, you've went to an
event, or you got into somesituation, or you trusted a
person and then it, it blew upin your face somehow and you're
like, fuck.
You're like, I knew.
Like.
I knew I shouldn't have donethat.
There was something inside of methat was telling me, but you
didn't listen to it.
And then you reflect back.
You're like, fuck.
(16:33):
Like, I knew I shouldn't havedone that, that thing.
Like, that's the thing.
And so sometimes, not trustingyour intuition is one of the
best ways to also learn how doidentify it.
Because then in the future youremember oh yeah, there's that
feeling again.
I remember what happened lasttime.
I didn't listen to it.
Stellern (16:47):
Yeah, no, I was literally about to say like,
that is also a blessing indisguise because then, you know,
like, shoot, I should have trustmyself, but now I know for the
next
Nik Cherwink (16:55):
Yeah.
Stellern (16:56):
practice.
Honestly, like anything.
Nik Cherwink (16:58):
Yeah, totally.
Um, yeah, this is great.
I love this.
Um, Tell me about the tour andspecifically your partnership.
You've partnered with a mentalhealth nonprofit to write love
on her arm is what it's called.
Stellern (17:14):
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (17:15):
tell me about them.
What are they all about and whywas it important for you to
partner with these guys?
Stellern (17:20):
Well, yeah, they've been around for a while.
They, uh, I first heard of themat Warp Tour, like back in the
day.
Nik Cherwink (17:26):
Hell yeah.
Stellern (17:27):
I've seen them at festivals and stuff.
They always have like a littlebooth.
Um, I wanted to do somethingspecial for my first headline
tour.
I didn't wanna just have it be abunch of shows, you know, I
really wanna make a differenceand like build up a.
Powerful community oflike-minded people that is like
helpful and helpful with oneanother.
(17:48):
Um, but yeah, to write Love onour Arms was down to partner
with me and they're already inthe festival space, so it was
like perfect.
And they're also based inFlorida, which I didn't know, so
that was also another perfectthing.
Um, but yeah, they're anonprofit that just brings
awareness to mental health.
They do a lot of outreach.
They have so many resources ontheir website, um.
(18:09):
Just providing a space forpeople that, like I said
earlier, might not know how toask for help or if they're
seeking help, everything isthere on their website,
different services and phonenumbers and hotlines and stuff.
And they're just basicallytrying to break the stigma
around mental health and just bea safe space for everyone, which
I really love.
So, um, at these shows we havelike a little pamphlets with all
(18:30):
those numbers and hotlines andstuff, and just information
about.
They're a nonprofit.
We've, uh, have some collabmerch items where, like the
proceeds go to theirorganization.
So I just thought it was a, agreat partnership.
Nik Cherwink (18:45):
Yeah, yeah, definitely.
It sounds like an amazingorganization.
Why is the topic of mentalhealth so important to you and
such a big part of your brand?
Stellern (18:55):
Well, I've struggled with mental health, since I was,
I don't know.
10 maybe,
Nik Cherwink (19:01):
Mm-hmm.
Stellern (19:01):
I didn't really have the awareness or the knowledge
about what was going on until Igot older and I started seeing a
therapist and getting into moreself-help stuff and I was like,
wow.
I was like really in the darkfor the longest time.
I didn't have any resources andlike finally.
Someone's helping me and I canlike see what's been going on
(19:22):
inside of me and I can kind ofuntangle that anxious, depressed
ball and kind of have a clearvision.
And I just feel like so manypeople struggle.
They might not even know what'sgoing on with them.
And so just having a place or aspace to talk to someone or some
kind of resource could literallybe life changing.
And I already feel like music.
(19:46):
that, it brings people together.
So why not have those resourcesthere?
When everyone's already there,everyone's already like in the
PLU like mindset and mentality,
Nik Cherwink (19:56):
Hmm.
Stellern (19:56):
amazing to begin with.
So I just think it makescomplete sense to have that in
the space.
Nik Cherwink (20:03):
Yeah, it's interesting because words like
mental health, anxiety,depression, a lot of it gets
thrown around.
But like you said, sometimespeople don't.
Really even know what they'regoing through or have the words
to be able to articulate itsuccinctly.
What were you actually goingthrough and feeling and
(20:23):
experiencing, uh, that inspiredyou to eventually start seeking
out help.
Stellern (20:29):
So when I went to college, it was my first time
leaving home, essentially
Nik Cherwink (20:33):
Mm-hmm.
Stellern (20:34):
time, like being on my own and kind of like navigating
that and it just brought up.
A lot of uncomfortable feelings.
Um, and then I was in like areally bad relationship and I
was just like not in a goodspace.
And I think my mom was like, youshould find a therapist.
And which was like, great,because I like didn't even
consider that.
Nik Cherwink (20:54):
Yeah.
Stellern (20:55):
found this therapist, it just really opened my eyes
and she helped me like words towhat I was feeling and going
through and also just.
Uncovering a lot of stuff thatwent years back that needed to
be untangled and yeah, it was
Nik Cherwink (21:11):
Yeah,
Stellern (21:12):
yeah.
Nik Cherwink (21:12):
it's, it's always the fucking breakups,
Stellern (21:15):
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (21:15):
It literally is like the thing that will rip
your heart out of your chest andthrow you into a.
Spiraling pit of despair.
It's always the, the breakupsare the, are the worst.
Uh, and it's funny, it's like,you know, we call it mental
health, but it's reallyemotional health, right?
It's not just like, Hey, my mindis thinking about a lot of
things, but it's connected whenI'm thinking about certain
(21:37):
things.
Then it brings up the feeling,it really is the emotional
health of like, oh, I have a,there's a feeling inside of me
that is debilitating and ispainful and I dunno how to get
out of it.
Right.
So it is like, okay, we gottaYeah.
Change the thoughts and theperspective and the way we're
thinking.
But it also is learning how to,you know, we talked about like
somatic earlier.
It's like actually, like how doI move the energy from my body?
(21:59):
Right?
Uh, that's a whole othermodality of work.
If we really want to get deep ofjust like, you know, somatic
coaching or somatic.
Breath work, body work.
It's like, you know I love theperspective that emotions are
energy in motion.
It's energy that's in your bodythat needs to be in motion.
It needs to be moved.
Like we need to cry, we need toscream.
We need to fucking flail aroundand like we need to dance.
(22:21):
Right?
This is why we gotta go to, thisis why I think unconsciously.
Millions of people are going tothe club every weekend and going
to festivals is because we'reactually craving a space that we
can go move our bodies, becausewhen we move our bodies, it gets
some of that emotion and getssome of that energy out that
might be stuck, right?
Stellern (22:37):
Well
Nik Cherwink (22:37):
Yeah.
Stellern (22:38):
you asked me like what I was feeling exactly, and
that's honestly a hard questionfor me to answer because a lot
of my problems were somatic.
Like I had chronic stomachissues for
Nik Cherwink (22:50):
Mm.
Stellern (22:50):
like since I was a child.
they just like never resolveduntil I started going to
therapy.
My
Nik Cherwink (22:56):
Mm.
Stellern (22:57):
away.
Like
Nik Cherwink (22:58):
Yeah,
Stellern (22:58):
started doing this inner work and trying to like
heal these different parts ofme, so it was all like this
somatic like anxiety and stuffthat was like trapped inside of
me, trying to come out.
But it was manifesting in mylike stomach problems.
Um,
Nik Cherwink (23:13):
yeah.
Stellern (23:13):
like a huge piece of it.
Nik Cherwink (23:15):
I.
Stellern (23:15):
maybe people don't even know, like some people
might have like.
Migraines or like
Nik Cherwink (23:19):
Yeah.
Stellern (23:20):
rashes and whatever, and they might think it's like
something not related, but a lotof the times it has to do with
your emotions and
Nik Cherwink (23:27):
Yep.
Stellern (23:28):
and stuff.
Nik Cherwink (23:29):
Yeah, there's a really famous book called The
Body Keeps the Score.
Stellern (23:32):
been
Nik Cherwink (23:32):
Uh,
Stellern (23:33):
I just
Nik Cherwink (23:33):
yeah.
Right.
Really, it's like, it's mindblowing stuff.
I mean, it's, it's, you know, Idon't know science at the end of
the day, but it's like, if youthink about, you know, one of
the.
Leading causes of death is heartdisease, right?
And that's related to stress.
Stress is an emotion, right?
And so that emotion, like I'mfeeling stress all the time,
(23:55):
that emotion also is thenreleasing certain chemicals into
your body.
It's causing heart disease, it'scausing cancer, it's causing
stomach, you know, ulcers,stomach problems.
Like it's, your body willphysically have a reaction.
To the emotion.
You know, it's the train of itis like our, our thoughts and
the way that we're thinking thencreate certain emotions and
those certain emotions createcertain physical, you know,
(24:18):
physical symptoms in our body.
It's, it's a wild web of how itall works and it's connected,
but it's good to, it's good tostart like learning and
understanding like how we work.
This is funny at first time I'mthinking about this, but you're
spending.
Hundreds of hours, thousands ofhours figuring out how Ableton
works, right?
I'm gonna figure out how fuckingserum two works and, you know,
(24:39):
how do I mix stuff and how do I,you know, I'm putting in
thousands of hours into learninghow this thing works.
We should put some time intolearning how this thing, as in
me, myself, how does this thingwork?
How does, how does these energysystems work, right?
Because when you, when you startto kind of figure that out and
crack that code, all of a suddenit's like, whoa, this whole
thing is up and running a littlebit better now.
Stellern (24:58):
Yeah, it's crazy because I feel like a lot of
people don't take the time tolook inward or take stock of
like how they're feeling andstuff because of life or like
whatever.
Maybe it's like too scary tolike dive into what you might be
feeling, but
Nik Cherwink (25:13):
Yeah.
Stellern (25:14):
it's just so important because like we're.
With ourselves.
That's all we have.
At the end of the day, you haveyourself, you know, and that's
who you spend the most timewith.
So just really important to keepcheck of how you're feeling and
I've always been a huge fan ofseeking help and a
Nik Cherwink (25:30):
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah,
Stellern (25:32):
books that are out there and,
Nik Cherwink (25:34):
that's what I was gonna ask.
What are some other tools orsome other modalities that
you've explored?
Because there are so many,obviously going to therapy is
one.
Have you explored other healingmodalities and tools that you've
used to help in your own healingand growth journey?
Stellern (25:49):
Yeah.
Well, obviously like everyonetalks about meditation, but
there's a reason for that.
I
Nik Cherwink (25:55):
Yeah.
Stellern (25:56):
that is one of the greatest things you could do
because it's just so helpful togoing back to quieting and being
still with yourself, like
Nik Cherwink (26:05):
Yeah.
Stellern (26:05):
can get so much clarity and.
Calm through meditating, and itis definitely a practice.
Like I still need to stick to mymeditation schedule, but, um,
it's, yeah, it's been amazing.
It's really helped with myanxiety and quieting my mind and
even before I sit down to workon something, I'll like just
(26:27):
clear the energy and do a quicklittle five, 10 minute
meditation.
So I'm like in the right headspace to create and I just,
yeah.
I love it.
Nik Cherwink (26:36):
I love that.
Yeah.
I advocate with my clients tohave a pres studio ritual
Stellern (26:41):
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (26:42):
just, yeah, do something to get your energy
right, whether that's physicallyin your room or Yeah.
Go for a run.
Do some breath work, do somemeditation.
Just get yourself in a good headspace before you create.
Um, have you ever read The PowerOf Now, have you read that book
before?
Stellern (26:56):
Um, is that Eckhart
Nik Cherwink (26:58):
Eckhart Toley?
Yeah.
Stellern (27:00):
his, um, oh my gosh,
Nik Cherwink (27:02):
A.
Stellern (27:02):
here.
Nik Cherwink (27:03):
A new Earth.
Stellern (27:04):
It's another book.
It's the orange cover
Nik Cherwink (27:06):
A new Earth.
Stellern (27:08):
wait, no, not a new
Nik Cherwink (27:09):
Is that what it No.
No, that's his other big one.
That's a really good one too.
Stellern (27:12):
of his books right now, but I have heard of that.
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (27:15):
love, you'll love that one for your, after you
finish the body keeps the score.
Everyone.
Everybody.
A hundred percent.
This is, should be like requiredreading.
Everybody read Power of Now.
This is like foundational.
Stellern (27:25):
Okay.
Nik Cherwink (27:25):
Yeah, it's like spiritual development.
Really, really good one.
Stellern (27:29):
that.
Nik Cherwink (27:29):
Yeah.
Um, okay, so Therapy.
Meditation.
What else?
What else do you use to.
Be your best self.
Stellern (27:38):
I try to go for a walk every day, even if it's a quick
20 minute, 30 minute walk justto get your body moving and just
stay healthy.
Yeah.
Meditation, therapy, workingout, eating well.
that's what I would say really.
Nik Cherwink (27:54):
Yeah.
Have you ever got into breathwork?
Have you tried breath work atall?
Stellern (27:59):
have heard of it.
Um, haven't done it reallymyself.
I know some people swear by it,but I am not too knowledgeable
on breath work.
Nik Cherwink (28:09):
I've probably still only done it properly,
let's say maybe a dozen times.
Stellern (28:14):
Mm-hmm.
Nik Cherwink (28:15):
I'm telling you guys, get the fuck out there and
go do some breath work.
'cause what we're talking about,we're talking about the
emotions, right?
The stuck emotions of I've gotthis anxious energy inside of
me.
I've got this depressive energyinside of me.
I've got this, this stuff insideof me that doesn't feel good.
The breath can basically clearyour system out of it.
But it's like my experience ofit is wild.
(28:36):
'cause you basically are likelaying on the floor
hyperventilating and you bringyourself into like a psychedelic
state.
Like I've talked to God multipletimes, like I'm talking about
downloads, like receivingdownloads and insight and
intuition.
Not only there's the release ofmoving the energy and the
emotions, but I get like.
Downloads from anotherdimension.
When I do breath work, it's sofucking cool.
(28:56):
So if you guys haven't tried ityet, go out there.
If you have tried breath work,let me know.
Leave a comment wherever you'relistening to this and let me
know if you're on the breathwork train.
'cause every time I do it, I'malways like, I gotta do this
every week.
Like this gets to be part of theprocess.
So yeah, I think you'll, you'll,you'll dig it once you dip your
toes in, in the water.
Yeah.
Stellern (29:15):
need a try.
Like everyone talks about itjust
Nik Cherwink (29:17):
Yeah.
Stellern (29:18):
thing.
That's
Nik Cherwink (29:19):
Yeah.
Stellern (29:19):
So.
Nik Cherwink (29:20):
Now, I think all of this is even more important
for artists because y'all areliving a crazy lifestyle, not
your normal nine to five.
We've got the same routine.
It's like you're getting onflights.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday,multiple nights a week, you're
flying all over the place.
Time zones are crazy.
You're out till late at night,and trying to maintain some
(29:43):
balance and some consistency ina very inconsistent, wild type
of lifestyle and schedule.
So how do you balance stayinghealthy and grounded in the
midst of what is kind of achaotic industry?
Stellern (29:57):
Yeah, so I just accept that my weekends are gonna be
crazy.
let them be what they're gonnabe.
Um, I don't really drink,honestly.
on my rider I have like healthshots and like
Nik Cherwink (30:10):
Yeah.
Stellern (30:11):
and stuff like that.
Nik Cherwink (30:12):
Smart.
Stellern (30:13):
try to like have some kind of.
Normalcy and health and whatnot.
Um, but during the week I reallytry to like stick to a routine
to have some semblance of yeah,like a routine I guess.
Um,
Nik Cherwink (30:26):
Yeah.
Stellern (30:26):
that also just helps me with my productivity, but I
have just accepted that theweekends are gonna be whatever
they are, and I'm grateful forthat.
So,
Nik Cherwink (30:35):
Yeah, for sure.
So, so earlier you were talkingabout having a vision for your
tour and then wanting to likepause a little bit so that you
could actually really, reallybring that vision to life.
Stellern (30:47):
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (30:47):
What is the vision for what you're creating with
the tour?
Stellern (30:51):
Yeah.
So, the tour is called the Hereand Now Tour, which.
Goes back to literallyeverything we're talking about
of just being present and stuff.
Um, and since I started going toshows, when I was a teenager,
that's really what like my lovefor this music and the scene is
every time I would go to a showI would be completely present
(31:14):
and just in the moment enjoyingmy friends, the music.
I wasn't thinking about what'sgonna happen after what happened
before.
And it was just like a hugerelief and.
Almost like a meditation, justto be there dancing and having
the time of my life.
So I wanted my tour to invokethat feeling when people come to
(31:35):
these shows, just to be presentand be here now in the moment
with the music, with yourfriends, and just kind of escape
like the craziness of life for alittle bit.
Um, so that was like the visionthat I was trying to.
I guess sit with an I I knew itlike for a while.
I've always had here and nowjust kind of in the back of my
(31:56):
head.
And was also waiting to write anEP to go with this tour as well.
Um, so that took a bit of time.
I didn't wanna just like, play abunch of shows with nothing to
tour off of it, you know, likeI, obviously I have music and
stuff, but I wanted it to befresh, um, and just bring
something new to, to theseshows.
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (32:16):
Hmm.
You know, it's funny because weoften talk about how.
EDM and going to shows is a wayto escape,
Stellern (32:26):
Mm-hmm.
Nik Cherwink (32:27):
right?
And even myself, sometimes Ieven kind of talk down on like
the escapism, you know, justthe, let's forget about all our
problems and leave the worldbehind kind of a thing.
But I'm just thinking about thisfor the first time where it
really.
It's almost like we're escapingduring our day-to-day life
because we're so in our head andwe're so like, we're living in
(32:50):
the past and in the future, andwe're just like grinding and
basically we're preoccupied.
It's almost like we're escapingthe present moment.
By being so busy and going to ashow isn't escaping, it's
actually coming.
Back home.
It's actually coming back to,to, to look at, look at this.
I can't even see this.
That's
Stellern (33:11):
Wait.
Are you dead
Nik Cherwink (33:12):
I, that's so funny.
I just realized for those of youthat aren't watching on YouTube,
I just realized that my shirtliterally says, be here now.
That's so funny.
Stellern (33:21):
do that on purpose?
Nik Cherwink (33:22):
swear to God, I just noticed it.
Stellern (33:25):
Oh my God.
That's crazy.
Nik Cherwink (33:27):
That's so funny.
But yeah, like if you thinkabout it really, it's like that,
you know, being present, that'sreality.
That's real life.
That is actually that is, I lovethis idea that, you know, there
is no such thing as the past inthe future that we've been
living in the same moment ourentire life.
Stellern (33:44):
Yeah,
Nik Cherwink (33:45):
it's never not been now.
It's always been now,
Stellern (33:48):
that's
Nik Cherwink (33:48):
it's like your show actually provides and just
you know, dance music and showsin general.
It provides an anchor to comeback to reality, to actually
come back to being present.
Whereas the other 90% of thetime we're like, we're just
flopping around, you know, likeon a, on a hamster wheel, like
not being present at all.
Right.
(34:08):
So,
Stellern (34:09):
yeah.
I mean,
Nik Cherwink (34:10):
yeah.
Stellern (34:11):
It's kind of hard to just like stop during the week
or during your normal routine tomeditate or just journal or do
whatever you need to do to comeback to the present.
Because I mean, you know, lifecalls for going to work, doing
your things just like goingabout your day.
You can't just sit around allday and meditate.
So I
Nik Cherwink (34:30):
Yeah.
Stellern (34:30):
I mean, that'll be great, but I feel like it's
important to carve out time tojust come back to that, like you
were saying, because.
Shows obviously provide that.
Even just listening to music forme, provides that escape or
coming back to the center, likeyou said.
Um, but yeah, I just, I tryreally hard to take 20 minutes
outta my day just to do someinner work and stuff like that.
Nik Cherwink (34:53):
Totally.
Yeah.
Yeah.
If for anyone that follows me onsocial media, you know, I'm all
about the hot boy walks a little20 minute walk outside to get
some sunshine.
It's like, just go be withyourself.
Go be present.
Take that time.
Whether it's a, yeah.
Meditation or a walk orsomething.
Um, that's, yeah, that's soimportant.
Stellern (35:12):
That's so true because anytime I'm feeling really
overwhelmed and then I go for awalk, I come back and I'm like,
that what?
What was I freaking out about?
Like nothing
Nik Cherwink (35:21):
Yeah.
Like, yeah, like, like you saidearlier, it's not, it's not life
and death, right?
Nothing.
Nothing is life and death youknow, I started my career at
Capital Records, right outtacollege, and I was working in
the Hollywood Tower working forlike a-list.
Artists we're putting out, bigrecords and it would get
stressful.
It was like a high, you know, itcould be a high stress
environment, long hours.
And I remember my boss wouldalways say she would like, when
(35:41):
things were getting tense, she'dalways be like, all right, you
guys.
Remember, like we're, we're notsaving lives here.
We're not like, we're notdoctors.
We're not doing open heartsurgery where there's like a li
like, we're literally puttingout records.
Stellern (35:54):
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (35:54):
it's not,
Stellern (35:55):
fun.
Nik Cherwink (35:56):
it is not life and it is not life and death.
Like there is some real life anddeath shit.
Like you're a EMT, you're a asurgeon.
Like, that's, that's life anddeath.
We're putting out fucking music.
Calm down.
It's all good.
We're literally dancing.
Like we're, it's all good.
Yeah.
Stellern (36:11):
that's so true.
I mean, I get it.
'cause like I care so deeplyabout music and what I'm doing
and just.
Where I want to be.
So I put a lot of pressure andstress on myself, but when you
put it like that, at the end ofthe day, like we're just having
fun and
Nik Cherwink (36:27):
Yeah.
Stellern (36:27):
I should
Nik Cherwink (36:27):
Yeah,
Stellern (36:28):
at it.
Nik Cherwink (36:29):
yeah.
Well, that's what I wanted toask is do you feel I.
Pressure.
I,'cause I feel like so manyartists feel a lot of pressure,
especially ones that are comingup and like, they wanna succeed
so bad, they wanna make it theirdream.
I mean, you have got to thatpoint now where this, this is
your job.
You're at that next stage whereit's become the career.
Um, but I feel like thatpressure often doesn't go away.
(36:50):
You know?
Do you feel that?
Pressure to, to succeed, youknow, what's the, what is it
like carrying that and being inthat and how do you navigate
that?
Stellern (36:59):
my gosh.
Yeah.
Literally every day I like wakeup and I'm like, I have to be
productive today, or my career'sgonna fail.
Like I
Nik Cherwink (37:07):
Hmm.
Stellern (37:07):
do something to like get myself to a next level.
But even like aside from that,just.
There's so much talent out thereand so many amazing artists, and
it's so hard to not compareyourself to what other people
are doing.
Just, I don't know.
I always find, or I had foundmyself doing this where I'd be
like, well, why am I not gettingthis opportunity?
(37:29):
Like, why is
Nik Cherwink (37:29):
Mm.
Stellern (37:30):
it?
Like, I wanna have this but itall happens in time and if you
just stay like genuine andauthentic to your path and what
you're doing as an artist, likethat stuff will come, which I
didn't know back then when I wasfirst starting.
I just like wanted to like zoommy way to where I am now and.
And you get there and it's soimportant to just like go with
(37:50):
the flow and enjoy the processof all of it.
And really try not to compareyourself because that does so
much damage and there's room forlike, there's literally room for
everyone.
I don't think a lot of
Nik Cherwink (38:02):
Yes.
Stellern (38:02):
but
Nik Cherwink (38:03):
Yes.
Stellern (38:04):
much room for everyone.
So I don't think there needs tobe this competition or so and so
got this.
Why didn't I get it?
Like, who cares?
There's
Nik Cherwink (38:12):
Yeah.
Stellern (38:12):
get it a year from now, it doesn't matter, you
know?
Nik Cherwink (38:15):
Yeah.
It goes back to the mindset, themental energy, the emotional
energy, and the physical energy,right?
If my mindset is that, oh, thisperson is succeeding, and so
that means that there'scompetition or there's not
enough to go around, why arethey winning?
And I'm not.
If my mindset is.
(38:35):
That this is like a race andother people are beating me,
then that's gonna create acertain kind of emotion inside
of me that's gonna createjealousy.
It's gonna create resentment.
It's gonna create stress.
Right.
I'm gonna feel like, oh God, Ihave to grind even harder now.
Right?
And that can then alsopotentially create, you know,
the, the physical burnout fromthat.
Right.
Um, and so shifting the mindsetaround it, first shifting to
(38:57):
like, wait a minute, if they'rewinning, that means I can too.
Stellern (38:59):
exactly.
Nik Cherwink (39:00):
Like I believe, I believe in abundance.
I believe that there's enough togo around,
Stellern (39:04):
Yes.
Nik Cherwink (39:05):
this is exactly what sippy came to me with when
she started working with me,when she was getting caught up
in comparison.
And so the first shift we madewas I was like, yo, every time
you see somebody winning thatyou feel like you know you wish
you had what they had, orthey're further up on the lineup
than you, you celebrate them.
Celebrate them, step intocelebration and be like, yo,
fuck yeah.
Go get it.
Cool.
And what that does is that itmakes me feel different.
(39:27):
I actually feel good'cause I'mliving in the energetic state of
celebration.
And from that energetic state ofcelebration, I start to create
differently.
I start to show up into my, tomy relationships differently.
I start to like physically feeldifferent as well.
So it starts with theperspective, but then it's
followed by like, how do youactually feel emotionally
because of that?
Stellern (39:46):
That's so, that's so good.
And
Nik Cherwink (39:49):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Stellern (39:51):
like.
I don't know.
'cause I dealt with that a lotwhen I was first starting, like,
I don't know if I'd call itresentment, but definitely
comparing and being like, oh, Iwant that so bad.
Or like, why did they get this?
Like I want it.
And I just started switching mymindset, like you said.
And every time I would seesomething I would comment on my
friend's post or like otherartists and be like, you're
killing it.
Like
Nik Cherwink (40:10):
Yes,
Stellern (40:11):
whatever.
And it just makes you feel good,obviously.
Like it makes them feel good'cause they're getting all this
positive feedback and justcreates like this.
of abundance and positivity,
Nik Cherwink (40:22):
Yes.
Stellern (40:23):
start manifesting those positive things because
you're not coming from that likelack mentality anymore.
You're coming from like theabundance.
So that's what's showing up inyour field.
Nik Cherwink (40:34):
That's it.
Y'all go back and rewind thelast two minutes.
This is the fucking gamechanging secret and I talk to
artists all the time.
I work with so many artists andI know all you guys are
listening, and it's likeeveryone, you have that desire
to be successful and you want togrind, and you want to push, but
you gotta.
You gotta really look at whereis it coming from?
(40:55):
Where am I operating from?
Am I operating from scarcity oram I operating from abundance?
And back to paying attention toyour body.
Does your body feel tight,
Stellern (41:04):
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (41:05):
Or do you feel.
Loose and open and expansive,right?
That's what you get to payattention to.
Where am I coming from?
Where, what is my operatingsystem?
The invitation is to step intoabundance, step into knowing
that like, yo, you are destinedfor this.
Your time is gonna come.
You keep showing up.
You do it with love, you do itwith positivity.
You do it with openness andcelebration and they can both
(41:28):
get you there.
You can also grind and push andcompete, and like that energy
can drive you, you can whipyourself until you get to the
top.
But which journey do you thinkis gonna be more enjoyable and
more sustainable?
Right?
Stellern (41:42):
I
Nik Cherwink (41:42):
Yeah.
Stellern (41:42):
the most basic way to put that, and it's what we just
said is, what I would tellsomeone who's just starting out
or people that might bestruggling with this is that
there is space for everyone.
Even if it might not seem likethat.
Like there's so much room,there's room at the top.
I still have so much growth thatI want to do, and I feel like if
you're looking at things fromthat perspective of that there's
(42:04):
a place for everyone, it justtakes the pressure off of it.
You don't have to compete forsomeone else's spot because your
spot's there.
You just have to like step intoit.
You know what I mean?
So.
Nik Cherwink (42:14):
Yeah, and everyone has a spot because you are the
only you.
Stellern (42:19):
Mm-hmm.
Nik Cherwink (42:20):
Right Out of all 8 billion people in the world,
nobody can do what you can do.
Nobody can make the music thatyou can make, nobody that can
put on the show and curate theset and show with the vibe and
the energy that youauthentically have.
And that's the other big thingto really pay attention to and
like not get caught up in islike.
What are other people doing?
They're doing this with theirbrand.
They're doing this with theirsound.
(42:41):
They're doing this with theirbusiness moves.
Like, all right, cool.
Fuck yeah, that's them and theirpath.
Maybe take some inspiration, butthis is where so much of us lose
ourselves.
Kind of going back to like trustyourself, right?
Trust yourself to do it your wayto show up authentically with
like what actually feels good toyou, and I honestly think this
is.
95% of people's problems is,it's like we're getting too
(43:03):
caught up in like, what'severybody else doing?
Get back into you and yourauthenticity and know that
you're gonna carve out your ownunique lane.
Stellern (43:10):
Yeah, exactly.
I love
Nik Cherwink (43:13):
Yeah, yeah.
And then the final thing I'd sayon that is like, enjoy where
you're at.
Every step of the way.
Like we oftentimes we want to beat that next level so bad,
Stellern (43:23):
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (43:24):
to like, you know, be being present, be the here
and now.
It's like, okay, this is whereyou are.
You're at this stage of yourcareer fucking.
Love that.
Like, let's go.
Like, that's exciting.
Of course, of course.
We all want to, you know, be atthat.
I wanna have a higher billing, Iwanna make more money, I wanna
get to the next place.
But that's the trap.
And also really the concept oflike, the power of now is not
(43:44):
like living in the future,right?
Because we see it all the timetoo.
The person that's a step aheadof you, five steps ahead of you,
they still want to be further aswell.
And they're, they're not evenenjoying where they are.
It's like, we all gotta like,just love the process and the
journey and be grateful forwhere we're at too.
Stellern (43:59):
it's so true because like, obviously tomorrow's not
promised and I feel like themusic industry itself is so
volatile.
Like you just never know what'sgonna happen and.
I find myself gettingexistential sometimes in my
thoughts, but I just have toremind myself, like to be
present and happy with where I'mat and just enjoy the process
(44:20):
because yes, of course you wantall this stuff in the future,
but you're not there yet.
So like you have to just focuson where you're at and be
grateful for that.
Nik Cherwink (44:30):
Yeah.
A hundred percent.
Wow.
There's such good wisdom in herefor everybody.
Um, if you had anything else toadd, any other tips for up and
coming artists, what would youshare with them?
I.
Stellern (44:44):
I feel like we cover a lot of it, like the.
The mindset thing.
I always try to look at it whenI was coming up to blinders on,
so to help myself not compare.
Um, obviously you wanna see whatyour peers are doing and take
notes of people who are reallysuccessful and how they built
their careers and stuff.
That's good to do, but you don'twanna get in the habit of
(45:08):
comparing so much because it'sjust gonna, you're gonna shoot
yourself in the foot, but.
aside from that, I would saydon't be afraid to put yourself
out there when it comes tosocials and releasing music,
because that was a huge problemfor me.
I was so concerned abouteverything being perfect, um,
with my releases, with my socialimage, I just wanted it to be
(45:31):
perfect.
And I was stopping myself fromgrowing because nothing is ever
perfect.
Um, and when I first took theleap and kind of put myself out
there.
I saw the growth happen sorapidly and it was just a game
changer for me.
So I always tell people to, youneed to put yourself out there.
Like you can't just beoverthinking.
(45:52):
And obviously that's so easiersaid than done.
I still overthink everything,but you need to act as if maybe
that part, you act as if it'slife or death.
Like if you don't make the postit's life or death, like put it
Nik Cherwink (46:05):
Mm
Stellern (46:05):
like force yourself
Nik Cherwink (46:07):
mm.
Stellern (46:07):
yourself out there because you're gonna be rewarded
for that.
And you're
Nik Cherwink (46:10):
Yeah.
Stellern (46:11):
people engaging with you because you're being
authentic and putting yourselfout there.
So that's what I would say topeople
Nik Cherwink (46:18):
Yeah, it's the life or death of your career
really.
In a way.
It's like, and and I talk aboutthat a lot as well.
There's a difference betweenbeing an artist and running a
business and you have to kindof.
Cross that threshold and stepinto like, Hey, not only am I an
artist and I make music, but Ialso want to be successful in
the music business.
In order to do that, I need to,I'm launching a business and I
(46:40):
need to run a business andwhatever.
Regardless of what industryyou're in, you have to market
yourself as a business owner.
So that's the, the life or deathof the business for sure.
I like that perspective.
Stellern (46:50):
It's crazy'cause I didn't know that when I was
first starting out, I was justan artist.
I was just wanting to create andmake music and then I quickly
realized that you do have tomarket yourself and it is a
business essentially, likeartists are entrepreneurs in a
way.
Nik Cherwink (47:06):
Yeah.
Stellern (47:06):
and yeah, you just, you have to put yourself out
there or
Nik Cherwink (47:10):
Yeah.
Stellern (47:10):
your product, which is your music.
Nik Cherwink (47:13):
Yeah.
Stellern (47:13):
yeah.
Nik Cherwink (47:14):
kind of tips do you have for putting yourself
out there?
What do you find works andresonates with people?
I think everyone's trying tofigure out the content game and
building their brand and usingsocial media.
What kind of advice would youhave around that?
Stellern (47:27):
I think you need to do something that feels good to
you.
I would stay away from seeingwhat's trendy or what so and so
did, and then trying to copy itbecause people will pick up on
that.
They'll see they lookuncomfortable or this feels
gimmicky or something.
So just
Nik Cherwink (47:47):
Yeah.
Stellern (47:47):
feels authentic to you and that's what's gonna resonate
with other people.
And even if it seems cringe orwhatever, if it feels good to
you, that's what you shouldpost.
Like you shouldn't post what soand so did because they're.
Real.
Got a million views.
You should do what just feelsright to you.
Nik Cherwink (48:05):
Yeah.
Amazing.
Stellern (48:06):
Um,
Nik Cherwink (48:07):
right, so last question here.
What are you most lookingforward to right now?
Stellern (48:13):
Um, I'm just really happy with where I'm at.
I'm just really grateful to behere and to have done my first
headline tour this year I feelelated about that.
Um, and I'm just looking forwardto the journey and what next
year brings and.
Growing my community and mysupporters and yeah, it's just,
(48:36):
it's all love.
It all feels really nice, so I'mjust relishing in that.
Nik Cherwink (48:40):
Amazing.
And congratulations on yourfirst tour, your first
headlining tour.
That's so exciting.
Like you've been putting in thework and you've also been, I
dunno, I think just fueled by adeeper purpose, which I really
do believe makes a bigdifference.
And so I.
Just really love what you're upto.
I love the message that you'repreaching.
(49:01):
I love the space that you'recreating and just the love and
the positive energy that you'reputting out there.
We need more of that in thescene.
We need more of that.
We need more plu in theindustry.
Let's bring it back, y'all.
If, if you're on the PLU train,you're my people.
So thank you so much for takingthe time to come on today and
um, yeah, good luck witheverything.
Stellern (49:19):
Thanks for having me.
there's so many just different influences.
(00:01):
Like your team has an opinion,your friends, your family, like
you should do this and do that.
But at the end of the day, like.
if you really do listen to yourintuition, like that is the
truth.
And like that is what you shouldfollow.
Nik Cherwink (00:23):
What's up everybody?
Welcome to the Headliner Mindsetpodcast.
This week's guest is one of thehottest rising acts in the bass
music scene.
She just wrapped up her firstever headlining tour playing
huge shows all over the countryand absolutely crushing it.
This is someone that I wasreally excited to get on the
podcast because I just reallyrespect what she's doing as an
artist by using her platform tospread awareness about mental
(00:46):
health, which is something thatI think is so important for all
of us to be talking about.
So we really go deep into that.
This episode, we talk about thespecific tools and practices
that she uses to take care ofher mental health, how to access
and trust your intuition, and ofcourse, the story of how she
built her brand and her fanbase.
So without further ado, this isstellar.
(01:07):
Stellar.
Welcome to the Headliner MindsetPodcast.
So happy to have you on here.
Stellern (01:13):
I am excited to be here.
Thanks for having me.
Nik Cherwink (01:15):
I'm really excited to dig into this conversation
'cause I think that you aredoing something different.
You're really standing forsomething important and using
your platform to just promote apowerful message, which I think
more artists should be doing.
And so just want to yeah,celebrate you for that and I'm
really excited to dive in withyou.
Stellern (01:35):
Thanks.
Yeah.
I have always been a big,proponent of promoting mental
health and bringing awareness toit and kind of like bringing the
stigma.
I've been in therapy for likealmost 10 years now and
Nik Cherwink (01:50):
Mm.
Stellern (01:51):
it benefits me in every way and has really changed
my life, so.
If I can provide resources orlike a voice for people that
might be afraid to like seekhelp or not know where to turn,
then
Nik Cherwink (02:04):
Yeah.
Stellern (02:04):
so happy to do that.
Nik Cherwink (02:06):
Totally.
Totally.
Well, I'm excited to dig intothat.
You know, before we get there,I'd love to hear a little bit
about your story and how you gotinto making music in the first
place.
Like what was your firstintroduction to actually
creating music?
Where did that begin?
Stellern (02:20):
So I've always been in music in some capacity, I would
say
Nik Cherwink (02:24):
I.
Stellern (02:25):
way back, like when I was in fourth grade, I started
learning guitar.
And that was kind of like myfirst intro into music.
Um, and then from there Istarted doing voice lessons.
And then I went to college formusic.
So I have a bachelor's of musicand the, the program I was in
was for audio engineering
Nik Cherwink (02:44):
Hmm.
What program was that that youdid?
Stellern (02:47):
Um, it was the music technology program at Florida
Atlantic University, and I waslike, actually I didn't even
know that was a thing, like whenI was applying to colleges, like
I was applying specifically formusic programs, but they were
all classical
Nik Cherwink (03:00):
Yeah.
Stellern (03:01):
um, to be in like,
Nik Cherwink (03:03):
Like sight reading and stuff.
Stellern (03:05):
just like all that
Nik Cherwink (03:05):
Yeah.
Stellern (03:05):
And then Florida Atlantic, which is literally
down the street from me, hadthis commercial music program.
And I was like, wow, this islike exactly what I want to do.
So
Nik Cherwink (03:14):
Yeah.
Stellern (03:15):
perfect.
Nik Cherwink (03:16):
So were you into electronic music at the time?
When did you get into the kindof EDM scene in.
Stellern (03:22):
that was like, when I was in high school, I started
getting into, raves andelectronic music.
I went to my first rave when Iwas 15, just like snuck in and
it was like an.
Nik Cherwink (03:32):
Hell yeah.
Love that.
Stellern (03:35):
It was, it definitely opened my eyes to a lot of
things just because before thatI was really into more indie
alternative like singersongwriter stuff.
Um, so I went to a rave that wasamazing and then I started
diving more into that and I wentto my first Pretty lights
concert
Nik Cherwink (03:52):
Hmm.
Stellern (03:53):
that was just like open the flood gates for
everything.
'cause I was like, whoa, this iselectronic and more organic
elements like with like drumsand guitars and instruments.
And it was my first intro toblending those two styles kind
Nik Cherwink (04:08):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Stellern (04:09):
in love with it from there and, yeah.
Nik Cherwink (04:12):
What was the moment?
'cause I feel like everyone hada moment where they were like,
they were in the crowd seeing anartist and they're like, I want
to actually be up there.
Like I want to be that personcurating the set and performing
rather than just being in thecrowd.
Did you have a specific momentthat you can remember where
you're like, I want to actuallydo that?
Stellern (04:31):
Yeah.
Um, well that Pretty Lightsconcert was definitely very
eyeopening to me and I fell inlove with their music.
But I think the moment thatyou're referring to, I remember
seeing, I.
Alice in Wonderland in 2015 whenshe was first coming up.
And that was my first timeseeing a female artist as well.
And I was like, whoa, this isreally cool.
(04:52):
She is doing her thing, she's abadass.
And then I saw her a few yearslater, or maybe that same year
at EDC Orlando, and that was myfirst like very big festival.
And I just remember watching herbeing like, damn, I wanna be up
there one day if she's
Nik Cherwink (05:08):
Yeah.
Stellern (05:09):
I can do it too.
Nik Cherwink (05:10):
Yeah.
So it sounds like that was animportant piece of it was to
actually see a woman up there,someone that's like, you are
like me, you're not a dude likeall these other guys.
And so that probably, yeah, Itotally get that.
Like, and it's a, I think it'san interesting, I.
Thing to think about is like ifwe're not seeing people that you
know, we really look like orlike kind of resonate with,
right.
Almost on an unconscious level,there might be a little bit of a
(05:33):
degree of like separation fromthat.
Stellern (05:36):
For sure.
I feel like there is something,like you said, like
subconsciously about that, evenif it's not registering,
Nik Cherwink (05:43):
Yeah.
Stellern (05:43):
it makes it easier when you see someone looks like
you or is advocating for you.
Um, it just like makes it easierto want to do that or it seems
more in reach, it doesn't seemso like untouchable if, because
I feel like for me at least.
It was always like male DJs andlike, wow, that's really cool.
But it kind of seems like out ofgrass for me.
Nik Cherwink (06:05):
Yeah.
Stellern (06:05):
saw Alison Wonderland doing her thing, I was like,
okay,
Nik Cherwink (06:09):
Yeah.
Stellern (06:09):
It's real.
Nik Cherwink (06:10):
Yeah.
I had a really good conversationwith Lady Faith.
She was on the podcast a whileback and a super good episode.
You guys, if you haven'tlistened to it, go check that
one out.
Just, I think similarly, likeshe, I.
She just has a fucking mission.
She's got this, like there's areason for why she's doing what
she's doing, which I think, youknow, not everybody has, but I
(06:31):
see that similar parallel withyou, that there's an actual,
like purpose underneath, whatyou're doing.
Um, but she shared the samething where she was like going
to clubs all the time and thenshe's like, I finally saw a
woman doing this, and I waslike, oh fuck.
Like.
I can do it too.
Like something kind of clickedand registered in her brain.
So yeah.
So super important that you'regetting out there and like
really showing all the othergirlies, like, yo, there's a
(06:52):
fucking space for us up here,
Stellern (06:53):
Yes, for sure.
Nik Cherwink (06:55):
Hell yeah.
sippy is one of my clients, soI've been like loving seeing
her, just killing it.
And I feel like there's a lotof, especially like in the bass
music scene, I think there'ssome pretty badass women that
are making waves and doing somecool things.
Who are the other female artiststhat like you really, look up to
and wanna shout out like theother girls out there that are
crushing it?
Stellern (07:15):
I'm definitely gonna shout out my besties in, she is
like one of my really goodfriends in the space and also
collaborator and we have an EPcoming out soon and I've just
like, we've been really closeand she's helped me a lot and I
think vice versa, just kind ofnavigate things and yeah, she's
just a great human and she alsohas a mission and is killing it
(07:39):
out there.
So definitely wanna give her ashout out.
I also like, really like Cloy.
She's one of the first femaleartists alongside Alice
Wonderland that I saw, andreally enjoyed her music as
well.
Um, there's a bunch of girliesthough, like Auster iss also
really amazing.
Um, like you said, sippy iskilling it.
She's great.
Like I see her on socials allthe time, just like putting
(08:01):
herself
Nik Cherwink (08:01):
She's so fun.
Yeah.
Stellern (08:03):
I think
Nik Cherwink (08:04):
Yeah.
Stellern (08:04):
that.
Nik Cherwink (08:05):
Cool.
Cool.
So, okay, you decided you wantedto produce and make music, you
went to college, spent some timelearning that.
When did you start the StellarProject and how long have you
been working on this?
Stellern (08:19):
So I always like, I wanted to do this, but didn't
really know like how it wasgoing to come to be.
So when I was in school foraudio engineering, that's when I
started.
my own music and really divinginto, like, trying to find a
sound and stuff.
But I would say when Igraduated, that's when I like
Stellar.
So a couple years ago.
(08:40):
Yeah, so I would say like fiveyears ago is when Stellar was
born.
Nik Cherwink (08:45):
Yeah.
Stellern (08:46):
name and the idea for it.
Nik Cherwink (08:49):
And so right now you are in the middle or maybe
wrapping up, I think aheadlining tour right now.
You've been out there like I sawyour tour flyers out, you've
been got dates on the books,like you're doing the damn
thing, right?
We are out of the bedroom and weare out here doing it.
Stellern (09:04):
Mm-hmm.
Nik Cherwink (09:04):
what would you say have been some of the main
ingredients for success for thisproject?
Stellern (09:11):
Well, it just really honestly, like it takes time.
Like I know there's a phrasethat people say where it's like,
it takes five years to be anovernight success kind of thing,
or whatever and I feel like thathas some value to it because I'm
on year five and it's the firsttime I'm doing my own headline
tour, and I've just beenpatient, been grinding.
Making as much music aspossible, really honing in on my
(09:33):
sound, and having like a reallycohesive vision for what I want
to give to people.
And I think that's what hashelped me do this headline tour
and be where I'm at.
Um,'cause I had the opportunityto do.
A tour last year and I don'tknow, I just didn't like, feel
right about it.
Like I felt like I could havedone it, but I wanted to wait so
(09:55):
that, my vision was morecomplete.
Um, I just don't wanna do thingslike haphazardly.
So I think it was like perfecttiming to do it and with the Tri
Love on our arms partnershiptoo, like that was just perfect.
Nik Cherwink (10:08):
Yeah.
Let's definitely talk aboutthat.
Um, I find that so interestingthat you waited.
'cause I think a lot of peoplewould be like chomping at the
bit to like, oh my God, I wannaget out, I wanna play shows.
I wanna, like, everyone is soanxious to get out there.
So the fact that you were like,wait, I'm actually not quite
ready and you chose to wait,
Stellern (10:27):
yeah.
Nik Cherwink (10:27):
a little bit more about.
Why you chose to wait and whatit was specifically about
feeling prepared to reallyexecute this vision that you
have.
Stellern (10:36):
Yeah.
I mean I definitely was eager toplay shows and get out there and
do this, so I definitelyteetered on, oh, well maybe I
should, maybe I shouldn't.
But I really just tried to bestill and listen to like my
intuition and that just told meto like wait a little bit
longer.
Um.
And I think it panned out well.
So, yeah.
Nik Cherwink (10:58):
So.
I just perked up a little bitbecause that piece about being
still and listening to yourintuition, it's so funny.
I totally believe thateverything is divinely
orchestrated.
Synchronicity is such a realthing.
I literally, 30 minutes agobefore we got on this, I was
just talking to my girlfriendabout something that came up to
(11:19):
today very, very strongly, whichwas this reminder to.
Trust myself to listen tomyself, and that all of the
answers are already inside of me
Stellern (11:29):
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (11:30):
it's so easy to be looking outside of yourself for
all the answers.
There's so many, you know, booksand podcasts and coaching
programs and mentors, andeveryone's on social media and
has an opinion.
So tell me a little bit moreabout sitting with yourself and
listening to your intuition.
Stellern (11:45):
That's definitely been a process to get to that point.
Um, I feel like just within likethe last year or two, I've
really been starting to actuallytrust myself because like you
said, there's so many justdifferent influences.
Like your team has an opinion,like your friends, your family,
like you should do this and dothat.
But at the end of the day, like.
if you really do listen to yourintuition, like that is the
truth.
(12:05):
And like that is what you shouldfollow.
And I feel like I've been testeda lot recently and I've been
practicing that, just sittingand trusting myself and it's
always worked out and I'm like,
Nik Cherwink (12:15):
Yeah.
Stellern (12:16):
write it down.
'cause like, I wanna like keep alog of every time I've like
trusted myself and it's workedout.
So it just is a reminder to keepdoing that.
Um, but yeah, like the otherday.
I had an offer come in and I waslike, oh, maybe I should take
it.
Maybe I shouldn't.
My team was like, you need totake this offer, like this
really good offer, likewhatever.
And I just like didn't feelright about it.
(12:37):
And so I said no, and they werelike upset, but then the next
day I had an even better offercome in
Nik Cherwink (12:43):
Yes.
Stellern (12:43):
like, this is why I waited.
Like this is why the voiceinside of me said, don't do it.
So
Nik Cherwink (12:49):
so real, so real.
Yeah.
I have a countless long list ofexamples just like that.
Even just from like literallytoday, what had come up for me
was I was actually consideringjoining a coaching program that
I was gonna sign up for and be apart of, and.
Just from even just booking thecall, it was like the, like the
calendar system was like, itwent to my spam folder and then
(13:12):
had this weird sort of likesuspicious thing and then the
guy had the wrong date and waslike texting me and I was just
like, this automatic, I waslike, I just got this weird
feeling.
It just feels off.
And then even today, like wefinally were gonna have the call
and then it was like he waslate.
It was like, oh, I'm gonna befive minutes late now.
I'm gonna be 10 minutes late.
I was just like, you know what?
Like, this just doesn't feellike a fuck.
Yeah.
Stellern (13:32):
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (13:33):
And I'm, I'm curious if you could share about
how does somebody actually tapinto their intuition?
Like how do you actually accessthat?
Stellern (13:41):
Um, I feel like you said if there's any little
inkling of hesitation or likethis might feel wrong, it's so
important to just sit with thatand not just like jump to
listening to what your team issaying or what your friends are
saying.
Just take a moment and sit withyourself.
Like my mantra for this pastyear is nothing is life or
(14:03):
death.
Like no matter what someone ismaking it seem like the
pressure, whatever, like that isnot the case.
You can take the time, you cantake an hour, you can take a day
to just sit with yourself andwhat you feel and really process
and just like suss out if it'sright for you or if it's not
right for you.
And.
Like paying attention to thesigns, like you said, like the
(14:24):
spam folder and him being late,like all those little things add
up and kind of fuel that knowingthat you have already.
So just pay attention, I guessis what I would say.
Nik Cherwink (14:35):
Yeah, beautifully said.
Stellern (14:36):
Thanks.
Nik Cherwink (14:37):
funny'cause it can be.
Sometimes just a subtle thing oflike, oh, I just have this weird
kind of you know?
It's like, it's a feeling,right?
It's call it, I dunno.
It's a gut feeling.
Like sometimes it's verypowerful though.
It's like a visceral, like mybody is talking to me, right?
Because it's like, it's the mindand the body, right?
Your brain has all of your.
(14:58):
Just the mental thoughts, the,the actual mental process.
But then there's like a literallike physical somatic process of
like, my body has wisdom and isalso talking to me all the time
too.
And can I, I think so much of itboils down to can I have the
courage to trust it?
Stellern (15:15):
Mm-hmm.
Nik Cherwink (15:16):
Right.
Stellern (15:16):
yeah, the word somatic is so good too.
'cause that's definitely what itis.
Um, and having the courage,because it's always like, you
wanna listen to like yourmentors and people that know and
have the knowledge and likeobviously like they're bringing
value to the table and like theyhave that knowledge, but you
also have like an inner knowingthat maybe because.
(15:37):
You're newer in the industry orlike whatever you're doing, it
might seem like you can't trustit, but obviously it's there for
a reason, so you should
Nik Cherwink (15:45):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Stellern (15:45):
And the somatic thing too, always feel like if I have
anxiety about something thatmeans it's not good for
Nik Cherwink (15:53):
Um
Stellern (15:53):
there's a difference with exciting anxiety.
Like before I play a show andlike anxiety, anxiety and like
if it's that, then usually I'm
Nik Cherwink (16:02):
hmm.
Stellern (16:02):
it's a no go.
Nik Cherwink (16:04):
Yeah.
You know, I think one of theother.
Best ways for us to learn how totrust our intuition is in the
moments that we don't,
Stellern (16:12):
Mm-hmm.
Nik Cherwink (16:13):
because everybody has experienced that before
where you have said yes tosomething, you've went to an
event, or you got into somesituation, or you trusted a
person and then it, it blew upin your face somehow and you're
like, fuck.
You're like, I knew.
Like.
I knew I shouldn't have donethat.
There was something inside of methat was telling me, but you
didn't listen to it.
And then you reflect back.
You're like, fuck.
(16:33):
Like, I knew I shouldn't havedone that, that thing.
Like, that's the thing.
And so sometimes, not trustingyour intuition is one of the
best ways to also learn how doidentify it.
Because then in the future youremember oh yeah, there's that
feeling again.
I remember what happened lasttime.
I didn't listen to it.
Stellern (16:47):
Yeah, no, I was literally about to say like,
that is also a blessing indisguise because then, you know,
like, shoot, I should have trustmyself, but now I know for the
next
Nik Cherwink (16:55):
Yeah.
Stellern (16:56):
practice.
Honestly, like anything.
Nik Cherwink (16:58):
Yeah, totally.
Um, yeah, this is great.
I love this.
Um, Tell me about the tour andspecifically your partnership.
You've partnered with a mentalhealth nonprofit to write love
on her arm is what it's called.
Stellern (17:14):
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (17:15):
tell me about them.
What are they all about and whywas it important for you to
partner with these guys?
Stellern (17:20):
Well, yeah, they've been around for a while.
They, uh, I first heard of themat Warp Tour, like back in the
day.
Nik Cherwink (17:26):
Hell yeah.
Stellern (17:27):
I've seen them at festivals and stuff.
They always have like a littlebooth.
Um, I wanted to do somethingspecial for my first headline
tour.
I didn't wanna just have it be abunch of shows, you know, I
really wanna make a differenceand like build up a.
Powerful community oflike-minded people that is like
helpful and helpful with oneanother.
(17:48):
Um, but yeah, to write Love onour Arms was down to partner
with me and they're already inthe festival space, so it was
like perfect.
And they're also based inFlorida, which I didn't know, so
that was also another perfectthing.
Um, but yeah, they're anonprofit that just brings
awareness to mental health.
They do a lot of outreach.
They have so many resources ontheir website, um.
(18:09):
Just providing a space forpeople that, like I said
earlier, might not know how toask for help or if they're
seeking help, everything isthere on their website,
different services and phonenumbers and hotlines and stuff.
And they're just basicallytrying to break the stigma
around mental health and just bea safe space for everyone, which
I really love.
So, um, at these shows we havelike a little pamphlets with all
(18:30):
those numbers and hotlines andstuff, and just information
about.
They're a nonprofit.
We've, uh, have some collabmerch items where, like the
proceeds go to theirorganization.
So I just thought it was a, agreat partnership.
Nik Cherwink (18:45):
Yeah, yeah, definitely.
It sounds like an amazingorganization.
Why is the topic of mentalhealth so important to you and
such a big part of your brand?
Stellern (18:55):
Well, I've struggled with mental health, since I was,
I don't know.
10 maybe,
Nik Cherwink (19:01):
Mm-hmm.
Stellern (19:01):
I didn't really have the awareness or the knowledge
about what was going on until Igot older and I started seeing a
therapist and getting into moreself-help stuff and I was like,
wow.
I was like really in the darkfor the longest time.
I didn't have any resources andlike finally.
Someone's helping me and I canlike see what's been going on
(19:22):
inside of me and I can kind ofuntangle that anxious, depressed
ball and kind of have a clearvision.
And I just feel like so manypeople struggle.
They might not even know what'sgoing on with them.
And so just having a place or aspace to talk to someone or some
kind of resource could literallybe life changing.
And I already feel like music.
(19:46):
that, it brings people together.
So why not have those resourcesthere?
When everyone's already there,everyone's already like in the
PLU like mindset and mentality,
Nik Cherwink (19:56):
Hmm.
Stellern (19:56):
amazing to begin with.
So I just think it makescomplete sense to have that in
the space.
Nik Cherwink (20:03):
Yeah, it's interesting because words like
mental health, anxiety,depression, a lot of it gets
thrown around.
But like you said, sometimespeople don't.
Really even know what they'regoing through or have the words
to be able to articulate itsuccinctly.
What were you actually goingthrough and feeling and
(20:23):
experiencing, uh, that inspiredyou to eventually start seeking
out help.
Stellern (20:29):
So when I went to college, it was my first time
leaving home, essentially
Nik Cherwink (20:33):
Mm-hmm.
Stellern (20:34):
time, like being on my own and kind of like navigating
that and it just brought up.
A lot of uncomfortable feelings.
Um, and then I was in like areally bad relationship and I
was just like not in a goodspace.
And I think my mom was like, youshould find a therapist.
And which was like, great,because I like didn't even
consider that.
Nik Cherwink (20:54):
Yeah.
Stellern (20:55):
found this therapist, it just really opened my eyes
and she helped me like words towhat I was feeling and going
through and also just.
Uncovering a lot of stuff thatwent years back that needed to
be untangled and yeah, it was
Nik Cherwink (21:11):
Yeah,
Stellern (21:12):
yeah.
Nik Cherwink (21:12):
it's, it's always the fucking breakups,
Stellern (21:15):
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (21:15):
It literally is like the thing that will rip
your heart out of your chest andthrow you into a.
Spiraling pit of despair.
It's always the, the breakupsare the, are the worst.
Uh, and it's funny, it's like,you know, we call it mental
health, but it's reallyemotional health, right?
It's not just like, Hey, my mindis thinking about a lot of
things, but it's connected whenI'm thinking about certain
(21:37):
things.
Then it brings up the feeling,it really is the emotional
health of like, oh, I have a,there's a feeling inside of me
that is debilitating and ispainful and I dunno how to get
out of it.
Right.
So it is like, okay, we gottaYeah.
Change the thoughts and theperspective and the way we're
thinking.
But it also is learning how to,you know, we talked about like
somatic earlier.
It's like actually, like how doI move the energy from my body?
(21:59):
Right?
Uh, that's a whole othermodality of work.
If we really want to get deep ofjust like, you know, somatic
coaching or somatic.
Breath work, body work.
It's like, you know I love theperspective that emotions are
energy in motion.
It's energy that's in your bodythat needs to be in motion.
It needs to be moved.
Like we need to cry, we need toscream.
We need to fucking flail aroundand like we need to dance.
(22:21):
Right?
This is why we gotta go to, thisis why I think unconsciously.
Millions of people are going tothe club every weekend and going
to festivals is because we'reactually craving a space that we
can go move our bodies, becausewhen we move our bodies, it gets
some of that emotion and getssome of that energy out that
might be stuck, right?
Stellern (22:37):
Well
Nik Cherwink (22:37):
Yeah.
Stellern (22:38):
you asked me like what I was feeling exactly, and
that's honestly a hard questionfor me to answer because a lot
of my problems were somatic.
Like I had chronic stomachissues for
Nik Cherwink (22:50):
Mm.
Stellern (22:50):
like since I was a child.
they just like never resolveduntil I started going to
therapy.
My
Nik Cherwink (22:56):
Mm.
Stellern (22:57):
away.
Like
Nik Cherwink (22:58):
Yeah,
Stellern (22:58):
started doing this inner work and trying to like
heal these different parts ofme, so it was all like this
somatic like anxiety and stuffthat was like trapped inside of
me, trying to come out.
But it was manifesting in mylike stomach problems.
Um,
Nik Cherwink (23:13):
yeah.
Stellern (23:13):
like a huge piece of it.
Nik Cherwink (23:15):
I.
Stellern (23:15):
maybe people don't even know, like some people
might have like.
Migraines or like
Nik Cherwink (23:19):
Yeah.
Stellern (23:20):
rashes and whatever, and they might think it's like
something not related, but a lotof the times it has to do with
your emotions and
Nik Cherwink (23:27):
Yep.
Stellern (23:28):
and stuff.
Nik Cherwink (23:29):
Yeah, there's a really famous book called The
Body Keeps the Score.
Stellern (23:32):
been
Nik Cherwink (23:32):
Uh,
Stellern (23:33):
I just
Nik Cherwink (23:33):
yeah.
Right.
Really, it's like, it's mindblowing stuff.
I mean, it's, it's, you know, Idon't know science at the end of
the day, but it's like, if youthink about, you know, one of
the.
Leading causes of death is heartdisease, right?
And that's related to stress.
Stress is an emotion, right?
And so that emotion, like I'mfeeling stress all the time,
(23:55):
that emotion also is thenreleasing certain chemicals into
your body.
It's causing heart disease, it'scausing cancer, it's causing
stomach, you know, ulcers,stomach problems.
Like it's, your body willphysically have a reaction.
To the emotion.
You know, it's the train of itis like our, our thoughts and
the way that we're thinking thencreate certain emotions and
those certain emotions createcertain physical, you know,
(24:18):
physical symptoms in our body.
It's, it's a wild web of how itall works and it's connected,
but it's good to, it's good tostart like learning and
understanding like how we work.
This is funny at first time I'mthinking about this, but you're
spending.
Hundreds of hours, thousands ofhours figuring out how Ableton
works, right?
I'm gonna figure out how fuckingserum two works and, you know,
(24:39):
how do I mix stuff and how do I,you know, I'm putting in
thousands of hours into learninghow this thing works.
We should put some time intolearning how this thing, as in
me, myself, how does this thingwork?
How does, how does these energysystems work, right?
Because when you, when you startto kind of figure that out and
crack that code, all of a suddenit's like, whoa, this whole
thing is up and running a littlebit better now.
Stellern (24:58):
Yeah, it's crazy because I feel like a lot of
people don't take the time tolook inward or take stock of
like how they're feeling andstuff because of life or like
whatever.
Maybe it's like too scary tolike dive into what you might be
feeling, but
Nik Cherwink (25:13):
Yeah.
Stellern (25:14):
it's just so important because like we're.
With ourselves.
That's all we have.
At the end of the day, you haveyourself, you know, and that's
who you spend the most timewith.
So just really important to keepcheck of how you're feeling and
I've always been a huge fan ofseeking help and a
Nik Cherwink (25:30):
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah,
Stellern (25:32):
books that are out there and,
Nik Cherwink (25:34):
that's what I was gonna ask.
What are some other tools orsome other modalities that
you've explored?
Because there are so many,obviously going to therapy is
one.
Have you explored other healingmodalities and tools that you've
used to help in your own healingand growth journey?
Stellern (25:49):
Yeah.
Well, obviously like everyonetalks about meditation, but
there's a reason for that.
I
Nik Cherwink (25:55):
Yeah.
Stellern (25:56):
that is one of the greatest things you could do
because it's just so helpful togoing back to quieting and being
still with yourself, like
Nik Cherwink (26:05):
Yeah.
Stellern (26:05):
can get so much clarity and.
Calm through meditating, and itis definitely a practice.
Like I still need to stick to mymeditation schedule, but, um,
it's, yeah, it's been amazing.
It's really helped with myanxiety and quieting my mind and
even before I sit down to workon something, I'll like just
(26:27):
clear the energy and do a quicklittle five, 10 minute
meditation.
So I'm like in the right headspace to create and I just,
yeah.
I love it.
Nik Cherwink (26:36):
I love that.
Yeah.
I advocate with my clients tohave a pres studio ritual
Stellern (26:41):
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (26:42):
just, yeah, do something to get your energy
right, whether that's physicallyin your room or Yeah.
Go for a run.
Do some breath work, do somemeditation.
Just get yourself in a good headspace before you create.
Um, have you ever read The PowerOf Now, have you read that book
before?
Stellern (26:56):
Um, is that Eckhart
Nik Cherwink (26:58):
Eckhart Toley?
Yeah.
Stellern (27:00):
his, um, oh my gosh,
Nik Cherwink (27:02):
A.
Stellern (27:02):
here.
Nik Cherwink (27:03):
A new Earth.
Stellern (27:04):
It's another book.
It's the orange cover
Nik Cherwink (27:06):
A new Earth.
Stellern (27:08):
wait, no, not a new
Nik Cherwink (27:09):
Is that what it No.
No, that's his other big one.
That's a really good one too.
Stellern (27:12):
of his books right now, but I have heard of that.
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (27:15):
love, you'll love that one for your, after you
finish the body keeps the score.
Everyone.
Everybody.
A hundred percent.
This is, should be like requiredreading.
Everybody read Power of Now.
This is like foundational.
Stellern (27:25):
Okay.
Nik Cherwink (27:25):
Yeah, it's like spiritual development.
Really, really good one.
Stellern (27:29):
that.
Nik Cherwink (27:29):
Yeah.
Um, okay, so Therapy.
Meditation.
What else?
What else do you use to.
Be your best self.
Stellern (27:38):
I try to go for a walk every day, even if it's a quick
20 minute, 30 minute walk justto get your body moving and just
stay healthy.
Yeah.
Meditation, therapy, workingout, eating well.
that's what I would say really.
Nik Cherwink (27:54):
Yeah.
Have you ever got into breathwork?
Have you tried breath work atall?
Stellern (27:59):
have heard of it.
Um, haven't done it reallymyself.
I know some people swear by it,but I am not too knowledgeable
on breath work.
Nik Cherwink (28:09):
I've probably still only done it properly,
let's say maybe a dozen times.
Stellern (28:14):
Mm-hmm.
Nik Cherwink (28:15):
I'm telling you guys, get the fuck out there and
go do some breath work.
'cause what we're talking about,we're talking about the
emotions, right?
The stuck emotions of I've gotthis anxious energy inside of
me.
I've got this depressive energyinside of me.
I've got this, this stuff insideof me that doesn't feel good.
The breath can basically clearyour system out of it.
But it's like my experience ofit is wild.
(28:36):
'cause you basically are likelaying on the floor
hyperventilating and you bringyourself into like a psychedelic
state.
Like I've talked to God multipletimes, like I'm talking about
downloads, like receivingdownloads and insight and
intuition.
Not only there's the release ofmoving the energy and the
emotions, but I get like.
Downloads from anotherdimension.
When I do breath work, it's sofucking cool.
(28:56):
So if you guys haven't tried ityet, go out there.
If you have tried breath work,let me know.
Leave a comment wherever you'relistening to this and let me
know if you're on the breathwork train.
'cause every time I do it, I'malways like, I gotta do this
every week.
Like this gets to be part of theprocess.
So yeah, I think you'll, you'll,you'll dig it once you dip your
toes in, in the water.
Yeah.
Stellern (29:15):
need a try.
Like everyone talks about itjust
Nik Cherwink (29:17):
Yeah.
Stellern (29:18):
thing.
That's
Nik Cherwink (29:19):
Yeah.
Stellern (29:19):
So.
Nik Cherwink (29:20):
Now, I think all of this is even more important
for artists because y'all areliving a crazy lifestyle, not
your normal nine to five.
We've got the same routine.
It's like you're getting onflights.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday,multiple nights a week, you're
flying all over the place.
Time zones are crazy.
You're out till late at night,and trying to maintain some
(29:43):
balance and some consistency ina very inconsistent, wild type
of lifestyle and schedule.
So how do you balance stayinghealthy and grounded in the
midst of what is kind of achaotic industry?
Stellern (29:57):
Yeah, so I just accept that my weekends are gonna be
crazy.
let them be what they're gonnabe.
Um, I don't really drink,honestly.
on my rider I have like healthshots and like
Nik Cherwink (30:10):
Yeah.
Stellern (30:11):
and stuff like that.
Nik Cherwink (30:12):
Smart.
Stellern (30:13):
try to like have some kind of.
Normalcy and health and whatnot.
Um, but during the week I reallytry to like stick to a routine
to have some semblance of yeah,like a routine I guess.
Um,
Nik Cherwink (30:26):
Yeah.
Stellern (30:26):
that also just helps me with my productivity, but I
have just accepted that theweekends are gonna be whatever
they are, and I'm grateful forthat.
So,
Nik Cherwink (30:35):
Yeah, for sure.
So, so earlier you were talkingabout having a vision for your
tour and then wanting to likepause a little bit so that you
could actually really, reallybring that vision to life.
Stellern (30:47):
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (30:47):
What is the vision for what you're creating with
the tour?
Stellern (30:51):
Yeah.
So, the tour is called the Hereand Now Tour, which.
Goes back to literallyeverything we're talking about
of just being present and stuff.
Um, and since I started going toshows, when I was a teenager,
that's really what like my lovefor this music and the scene is
every time I would go to a showI would be completely present
(31:14):
and just in the moment enjoyingmy friends, the music.
I wasn't thinking about what'sgonna happen after what happened
before.
And it was just like a hugerelief and.
Almost like a meditation, justto be there dancing and having
the time of my life.
So I wanted my tour to invokethat feeling when people come to
(31:35):
these shows, just to be presentand be here now in the moment
with the music, with yourfriends, and just kind of escape
like the craziness of life for alittle bit.
Um, so that was like the visionthat I was trying to.
I guess sit with an I I knew itlike for a while.
I've always had here and nowjust kind of in the back of my
(31:56):
head.
And was also waiting to write anEP to go with this tour as well.
Um, so that took a bit of time.
I didn't wanna just like, play abunch of shows with nothing to
tour off of it, you know, likeI, obviously I have music and
stuff, but I wanted it to befresh, um, and just bring
something new to, to theseshows.
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (32:16):
Hmm.
You know, it's funny because weoften talk about how.
EDM and going to shows is a wayto escape,
Stellern (32:26):
Mm-hmm.
Nik Cherwink (32:27):
right?
And even myself, sometimes Ieven kind of talk down on like
the escapism, you know, justthe, let's forget about all our
problems and leave the worldbehind kind of a thing.
But I'm just thinking about thisfor the first time where it
really.
It's almost like we're escapingduring our day-to-day life
because we're so in our head andwe're so like, we're living in
(32:50):
the past and in the future, andwe're just like grinding and
basically we're preoccupied.
It's almost like we're escapingthe present moment.
By being so busy and going to ashow isn't escaping, it's
actually coming.
Back home.
It's actually coming back to,to, to look at, look at this.
I can't even see this.
That's
Stellern (33:11):
Wait.
Are you dead
Nik Cherwink (33:12):
I, that's so funny.
I just realized for those of youthat aren't watching on YouTube,
I just realized that my shirtliterally says, be here now.
That's so funny.
Stellern (33:21):
do that on purpose?
Nik Cherwink (33:22):
swear to God, I just noticed it.
Stellern (33:25):
Oh my God.
That's crazy.
Nik Cherwink (33:27):
That's so funny.
But yeah, like if you thinkabout it really, it's like that,
you know, being present, that'sreality.
That's real life.
That is actually that is, I lovethis idea that, you know, there
is no such thing as the past inthe future that we've been
living in the same moment ourentire life.
Stellern (33:44):
Yeah,
Nik Cherwink (33:45):
it's never not been now.
It's always been now,
Stellern (33:48):
that's
Nik Cherwink (33:48):
it's like your show actually provides and just
you know, dance music and showsin general.
It provides an anchor to comeback to reality, to actually
come back to being present.
Whereas the other 90% of thetime we're like, we're just
flopping around, you know, likeon a, on a hamster wheel, like
not being present at all.
Right.
(34:08):
So,
Stellern (34:09):
yeah.
I mean,
Nik Cherwink (34:10):
yeah.
Stellern (34:11):
It's kind of hard to just like stop during the week
or during your normal routine tomeditate or just journal or do
whatever you need to do to comeback to the present.
Because I mean, you know, lifecalls for going to work, doing
your things just like goingabout your day.
You can't just sit around allday and meditate.
So I
Nik Cherwink (34:30):
Yeah.
Stellern (34:30):
I mean, that'll be great, but I feel like it's
important to carve out time tojust come back to that, like you
were saying, because.
Shows obviously provide that.
Even just listening to music forme, provides that escape or
coming back to the center, likeyou said.
Um, but yeah, I just, I tryreally hard to take 20 minutes
outta my day just to do someinner work and stuff like that.
Nik Cherwink (34:53):
Totally.
Yeah.
Yeah.
If for anyone that follows me onsocial media, you know, I'm all
about the hot boy walks a little20 minute walk outside to get
some sunshine.
It's like, just go be withyourself.
Go be present.
Take that time.
Whether it's a, yeah.
Meditation or a walk orsomething.
Um, that's, yeah, that's soimportant.
Stellern (35:12):
That's so true because anytime I'm feeling really
overwhelmed and then I go for awalk, I come back and I'm like,
that what?
What was I freaking out about?
Like nothing
Nik Cherwink (35:21):
Yeah.
Like, yeah, like, like you saidearlier, it's not, it's not life
and death, right?
Nothing.
Nothing is life and death youknow, I started my career at
Capital Records, right outtacollege, and I was working in
the Hollywood Tower working forlike a-list.
Artists we're putting out, bigrecords and it would get
stressful.
It was like a high, you know, itcould be a high stress
environment, long hours.
And I remember my boss wouldalways say she would like, when
(35:41):
things were getting tense, she'dalways be like, all right, you
guys.
Remember, like we're, we're notsaving lives here.
We're not like, we're notdoctors.
We're not doing open heartsurgery where there's like a li
like, we're literally puttingout records.
Stellern (35:54):
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (35:54):
it's not,
Stellern (35:55):
fun.
Nik Cherwink (35:56):
it is not life and it is not life and death.
Like there is some real life anddeath shit.
Like you're a EMT, you're a asurgeon.
Like, that's, that's life anddeath.
We're putting out fucking music.
Calm down.
It's all good.
We're literally dancing.
Like we're, it's all good.
Yeah.
Stellern (36:11):
that's so true.
I mean, I get it.
'cause like I care so deeplyabout music and what I'm doing
and just.
Where I want to be.
So I put a lot of pressure andstress on myself, but when you
put it like that, at the end ofthe day, like we're just having
fun and
Nik Cherwink (36:27):
Yeah.
Stellern (36:27):
I should
Nik Cherwink (36:27):
Yeah,
Stellern (36:28):
at it.
Nik Cherwink (36:29):
yeah.
Well, that's what I wanted toask is do you feel I.
Pressure.
I,'cause I feel like so manyartists feel a lot of pressure,
especially ones that are comingup and like, they wanna succeed
so bad, they wanna make it theirdream.
I mean, you have got to thatpoint now where this, this is
your job.
You're at that next stage whereit's become the career.
Um, but I feel like thatpressure often doesn't go away.
(36:50):
You know?
Do you feel that?
Pressure to, to succeed, youknow, what's the, what is it
like carrying that and being inthat and how do you navigate
that?
Stellern (36:59):
my gosh.
Yeah.
Literally every day I like wakeup and I'm like, I have to be
productive today, or my career'sgonna fail.
Like I
Nik Cherwink (37:07):
Hmm.
Stellern (37:07):
do something to like get myself to a next level.
But even like aside from that,just.
There's so much talent out thereand so many amazing artists, and
it's so hard to not compareyourself to what other people
are doing.
Just, I don't know.
I always find, or I had foundmyself doing this where I'd be
like, well, why am I not gettingthis opportunity?
(37:29):
Like, why is
Nik Cherwink (37:29):
Mm.
Stellern (37:30):
it?
Like, I wanna have this but itall happens in time and if you
just stay like genuine andauthentic to your path and what
you're doing as an artist, likethat stuff will come, which I
didn't know back then when I wasfirst starting.
I just like wanted to like zoommy way to where I am now and.
And you get there and it's soimportant to just like go with
(37:50):
the flow and enjoy the processof all of it.
And really try not to compareyourself because that does so
much damage and there's room forlike, there's literally room for
everyone.
I don't think a lot of
Nik Cherwink (38:02):
Yes.
Stellern (38:02):
but
Nik Cherwink (38:03):
Yes.
Stellern (38:04):
much room for everyone.
So I don't think there needs tobe this competition or so and so
got this.
Why didn't I get it?
Like, who cares?
There's
Nik Cherwink (38:12):
Yeah.
Stellern (38:12):
get it a year from now, it doesn't matter, you
know?
Nik Cherwink (38:15):
Yeah.
It goes back to the mindset, themental energy, the emotional
energy, and the physical energy,right?
If my mindset is that, oh, thisperson is succeeding, and so
that means that there'scompetition or there's not
enough to go around, why arethey winning?
And I'm not.
If my mindset is.
(38:35):
That this is like a race andother people are beating me,
then that's gonna create acertain kind of emotion inside
of me that's gonna createjealousy.
It's gonna create resentment.
It's gonna create stress.
Right.
I'm gonna feel like, oh God, Ihave to grind even harder now.
Right?
And that can then alsopotentially create, you know,
the, the physical burnout fromthat.
Right.
Um, and so shifting the mindsetaround it, first shifting to
(38:57):
like, wait a minute, if they'rewinning, that means I can too.
Stellern (38:59):
exactly.
Nik Cherwink (39:00):
Like I believe, I believe in abundance.
I believe that there's enough togo around,
Stellern (39:04):
Yes.
Nik Cherwink (39:05):
this is exactly what sippy came to me with when
she started working with me,when she was getting caught up
in comparison.
And so the first shift we madewas I was like, yo, every time
you see somebody winning thatyou feel like you know you wish
you had what they had, orthey're further up on the lineup
than you, you celebrate them.
Celebrate them, step intocelebration and be like, yo,
fuck yeah.
Go get it.
Cool.
And what that does is that itmakes me feel different.
(39:27):
I actually feel good'cause I'mliving in the energetic state of
celebration.
And from that energetic state ofcelebration, I start to create
differently.
I start to show up into my, tomy relationships differently.
I start to like physically feeldifferent as well.
So it starts with theperspective, but then it's
followed by like, how do youactually feel emotionally
because of that?
Stellern (39:46):
That's so, that's so good.
And
Nik Cherwink (39:49):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Stellern (39:51):
like.
I don't know.
'cause I dealt with that a lotwhen I was first starting, like,
I don't know if I'd call itresentment, but definitely
comparing and being like, oh, Iwant that so bad.
Or like, why did they get this?
Like I want it.
And I just started switching mymindset, like you said.
And every time I would seesomething I would comment on my
friend's post or like otherartists and be like, you're
killing it.
Like
Nik Cherwink (40:10):
Yes,
Stellern (40:11):
whatever.
And it just makes you feel good,obviously.
Like it makes them feel good'cause they're getting all this
positive feedback and justcreates like this.
of abundance and positivity,
Nik Cherwink (40:22):
Yes.
Stellern (40:23):
start manifesting those positive things because
you're not coming from that likelack mentality anymore.
You're coming from like theabundance.
So that's what's showing up inyour field.
Nik Cherwink (40:34):
That's it.
Y'all go back and rewind thelast two minutes.
This is the fucking gamechanging secret and I talk to
artists all the time.
I work with so many artists andI know all you guys are
listening, and it's likeeveryone, you have that desire
to be successful and you want togrind, and you want to push, but
you gotta.
You gotta really look at whereis it coming from?
(40:55):
Where am I operating from?
Am I operating from scarcity oram I operating from abundance?
And back to paying attention toyour body.
Does your body feel tight,
Stellern (41:04):
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (41:05):
Or do you feel.
Loose and open and expansive,right?
That's what you get to payattention to.
Where am I coming from?
Where, what is my operatingsystem?
The invitation is to step intoabundance, step into knowing
that like, yo, you are destinedfor this.
Your time is gonna come.
You keep showing up.
You do it with love, you do itwith positivity.
You do it with openness andcelebration and they can both
(41:28):
get you there.
You can also grind and push andcompete, and like that energy
can drive you, you can whipyourself until you get to the
top.
But which journey do you thinkis gonna be more enjoyable and
more sustainable?
Right?
Stellern (41:42):
I
Nik Cherwink (41:42):
Yeah.
Stellern (41:42):
the most basic way to put that, and it's what we just
said is, what I would tellsomeone who's just starting out
or people that might bestruggling with this is that
there is space for everyone.
Even if it might not seem likethat.
Like there's so much room,there's room at the top.
I still have so much growth thatI want to do, and I feel like if
you're looking at things fromthat perspective of that there's
(42:04):
a place for everyone, it justtakes the pressure off of it.
You don't have to compete forsomeone else's spot because your
spot's there.
You just have to like step intoit.
You know what I mean?
So.
Nik Cherwink (42:14):
Yeah, and everyone has a spot because you are the
only you.
Stellern (42:19):
Mm-hmm.
Nik Cherwink (42:20):
Right Out of all 8 billion people in the world,
nobody can do what you can do.
Nobody can make the music thatyou can make, nobody that can
put on the show and curate theset and show with the vibe and
the energy that youauthentically have.
And that's the other big thingto really pay attention to and
like not get caught up in islike.
What are other people doing?
They're doing this with theirbrand.
They're doing this with theirsound.
(42:41):
They're doing this with theirbusiness moves.
Like, all right, cool.
Fuck yeah, that's them and theirpath.
Maybe take some inspiration, butthis is where so much of us lose
ourselves.
Kind of going back to like trustyourself, right?
Trust yourself to do it your wayto show up authentically with
like what actually feels good toyou, and I honestly think this
is.
95% of people's problems is,it's like we're getting too
(43:03):
caught up in like, what'severybody else doing?
Get back into you and yourauthenticity and know that
you're gonna carve out your ownunique lane.
Stellern (43:10):
Yeah, exactly.
I love
Nik Cherwink (43:13):
Yeah, yeah.
And then the final thing I'd sayon that is like, enjoy where
you're at.
Every step of the way.
Like we oftentimes we want to beat that next level so bad,
Stellern (43:23):
Yeah.
Nik Cherwink (43:24):
to like, you know, be being present, be the here
and now.
It's like, okay, this is whereyou are.
You're at this stage of yourcareer fucking.
Love that.
Like, let's go.
Like, that's exciting.
Of course, of course.
We all want to, you know, be atthat.
I wanna have a higher billing, Iwanna make more money, I wanna
get to the next place.
But that's the trap.
And also really the concept oflike, the power of now is not
(43:44):
like living in the future,right?
Because we see it all the timetoo.
The person that's a step aheadof you, five steps ahead of you,
they still want to be further aswell.
And they're, they're not evenenjoying where they are.
It's like, we all gotta like,just love the process and the
journey and be grateful forwhere we're at too.
Stellern (43:59):
it's so true because like, obviously tomorrow's not
promised and I feel like themusic industry itself is so
volatile.
Like you just never know what'sgonna happen and.
I find myself gettingexistential sometimes in my
thoughts, but I just have toremind myself, like to be
present and happy with where I'mat and just enjoy the process
(44:20):
because yes, of course you wantall this stuff in the future,
but you're not there yet.
So like you have to just focuson where you're at and be
grateful for that.
Nik Cherwink (44:30):
Yeah.
A hundred percent.
Wow.
There's such good wisdom in herefor everybody.
Um, if you had anything else toadd, any other tips for up and
coming artists, what would youshare with them?
I.
Stellern (44:44):
I feel like we cover a lot of it, like the.
The mindset thing.
I always try to look at it whenI was coming up to blinders on,
so to help myself not compare.
Um, obviously you wanna see whatyour peers are doing and take
notes of people who are reallysuccessful and how they built
their careers and stuff.
That's good to do, but you don'twanna get in the habit of
(45:08):
comparing so much because it'sjust gonna, you're gonna shoot
yourself in the foot, but.
aside from that, I would saydon't be afraid to put yourself
out there when it comes tosocials and releasing music,
because that was a huge problemfor me.
I was so concerned abouteverything being perfect, um,
with my releases, with my socialimage, I just wanted it to be
(45:31):
perfect.
And I was stopping myself fromgrowing because nothing is ever
perfect.
Um, and when I first took theleap and kind of put myself out
there.
I saw the growth happen sorapidly and it was just a game
changer for me.
So I always tell people to, youneed to put yourself out there.
Like you can't just beoverthinking.
(45:52):
And obviously that's so easiersaid than done.
I still overthink everything,but you need to act as if maybe
that part, you act as if it'slife or death.
Like if you don't make the postit's life or death, like put it
Nik Cherwink (46:05):
Mm
Stellern (46:05):
like force yourself
Nik Cherwink (46:07):
mm.
Stellern (46:07):
yourself out there because you're gonna be rewarded
for that.
And you're
Nik Cherwink (46:10):
Yeah.
Stellern (46:11):
people engaging with you because you're being
authentic and putting yourselfout there.
So that's what I would say topeople
Nik Cherwink (46:18):
Yeah, it's the life or death of your career
really.
In a way.
It's like, and and I talk aboutthat a lot as well.
There's a difference betweenbeing an artist and running a
business and you have to kindof.
Cross that threshold and stepinto like, Hey, not only am I an
artist and I make music, but Ialso want to be successful in
the music business.
In order to do that, I need to,I'm launching a business and I
(46:40):
need to run a business andwhatever.
Regardless of what industryyou're in, you have to market
yourself as a business owner.
So that's the, the life or deathof the business for sure.
I like that perspective.
Stellern (46:50):
It's crazy'cause I didn't know that when I was
first starting out, I was justan artist.
I was just wanting to create andmake music and then I quickly
realized that you do have tomarket yourself and it is a
business essentially, likeartists are entrepreneurs in a
way.
Nik Cherwink (47:06):
Yeah.
Stellern (47:06):
and yeah, you just, you have to put yourself out
there or
Nik Cherwink (47:10):
Yeah.
Stellern (47:10):
your product, which is your music.
Nik Cherwink (47:13):
Yeah.
Stellern (47:13):
yeah.
Nik Cherwink (47:14):
kind of tips do you have for putting yourself
out there?
What do you find works andresonates with people?
I think everyone's trying tofigure out the content game and
building their brand and usingsocial media.
What kind of advice would youhave around that?
Stellern (47:27):
I think you need to do something that feels good to
you.
I would stay away from seeingwhat's trendy or what so and so
did, and then trying to copy itbecause people will pick up on
that.
They'll see they lookuncomfortable or this feels
gimmicky or something.
So just
Nik Cherwink (47:47):
Yeah.
Stellern (47:47):
feels authentic to you and that's what's gonna resonate
with other people.
And even if it seems cringe orwhatever, if it feels good to
you, that's what you shouldpost.
Like you shouldn't post what soand so did because they're.
Real.
Got a million views.
You should do what just feelsright to you.
Nik Cherwink (48:05):
Yeah.
Amazing.
Stellern (48:06):
Um,
Nik Cherwink (48:07):
right, so last question here.
What are you most lookingforward to right now?
Stellern (48:13):
Um, I'm just really happy with where I'm at.
I'm just really grateful to behere and to have done my first
headline tour this year I feelelated about that.
Um, and I'm just looking forwardto the journey and what next
year brings and.
Growing my community and mysupporters and yeah, it's just,
(48:36):
it's all love.
It all feels really nice, so I'mjust relishing in that.
Nik Cherwink (48:40):
Amazing.
And congratulations on yourfirst tour, your first
headlining tour.
That's so exciting.
Like you've been putting in thework and you've also been, I
dunno, I think just fueled by adeeper purpose, which I really
do believe makes a bigdifference.
And so I.
Just really love what you're upto.
I love the message that you'repreaching.
(49:01):
I love the space that you'recreating and just the love and
the positive energy that you'reputting out there.
We need more of that in thescene.
We need more of that.
We need more plu in theindustry.
Let's bring it back, y'all.
If, if you're on the PLU train,you're my people.
So thank you so much for takingthe time to come on today and
um, yeah, good luck witheverything.
Stellern (49:19):
Thanks for having me.
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