Horsegiirl: from underground rave to climate crisis – a wild ride
The dance Music scene is rarely predictable, but few artists have exploded onto the scene with the sheer, unapologetic strangeness of horsegiirL. This Berlin-based DJ and pop provocateur – a half-human, half-horse hybrid – is rewriting the rules of electronic Music, one bizarre, glorious track at a time.
A symphony of discord and delight
Born Stella Stallion, her sound is a chaotic yet compelling mix of Eurodance, 90s techno, happy hardcore, and gabba. It’s a formula that’s divided the community – fiercely loyal ‘farmies’ embrace her lore of Sunshine farms and Whitney Horseton, while others dismiss her as a fleeting trend. ‘I don’t even remember his name,’ Stallion laughs, speaking from Brazil while filming a video for That’s My Beach, ‘but some legendary DJ from, like, 1902, said, “This is the face of commercialisation.”’
She’s not wrong. Her trajectory – from playing small queer and trans raves to headlining HÖR Berlin and Boiler Room – felt almost instantaneous. But Stallion isn’t interested in pleasing anyone. “I didn’t let my inability hold me back,” she admits, dressed simply in a white robe, her horse mask only lightly adorned. The criticisms, often leveled at technically proficient DJs with empty dancefloors, are easily dismissed. “Who cares about the transition if your track selection and energy is off?”
A musical manifesto
Early on, her style was purely instinctual. “My early stuff was very punk,” she explains. “I just didn’t let my inability hold me back.” That raw energy fueled tracks like ‘My Little White Pony’ and ‘My Barn My Rules’ – equine anthems that resonated with a generation craving authenticity. However, the pressure to conform led to a four-month hiatus, allowing her to craft ‘Nature Is Healing,’ an album profoundly shaped by time and space. It’s a sonic exploration, incorporating nods to Madonna’s Erotica and Ray of Light, alongside Sophie’s liquid-pop sensibilities – and surprisingly, acoustic instruments.
‘Apple a Day’ transforms the familiar idiom into a distorted, Scooter-esque happy hardcore banger. Yet, the album’s core is rooted in a deep appreciation for the natural world. ‘Organic Intelligence’ champions a natural world battling AI, while ‘Hands Hands Hands’ explores the duality of human achievement – both its brilliance and its destructive potential. ‘I don’t ever want to be on a private jet,’ she declares, a surprisingly grounded sentiment for an artist who’s defied expectations at every turn.
Stallion is acutely aware of the potential hypocrisy of her globe-trotting lifestyle. “With climate activism,” she argues, “there’s a real burnout phenomenon because the crisis is so big, and the challenge is so huge. I wanted to come from a perspective of joy, because joy can be a real motivator. Humour and playfulness are very, very serious tools.” She’s not an activist in the traditional sense, but rather an artist attempting to channel a message of hope and reverence for the planet – a sentiment that culminates in a plea to “love each other.”
Despite the challenges, including a $3 million brand deal she promptly rejected – “OK, losers!” – Stallion is determined to continue carving out her unique space. ‘Nature Is Healing’ is set for release on June 5th, and it promises to be a bold, challenging, and utterly unforgettable statement. A truly wild ride.