From the very first beat, Estella Boersma’s trajectory into electronic music is anything but typical. Before carving a place in Europe’s underground, she had already built an international career in fashion, walking runways for Prada and Louis Vuitton. But the Dutch-born artist’s true creative calling emerged not on catwalks, but in the charged atmosphere of nightclubs. Today, Boersma is based in Berlin, where she has become a rising force in techno, electro, and breakbeat, genres that mirror her restless energy and instinct for reinvention. Since her debut in 2021, she has released music on Unknown To The Unknown, launched her own label EB-REX, and appeared at some of the most prominent festivals, including Glastonbury, Awakenings, and Stone Techno.
Photo Credit: John Richter
The roots of that transformation run deeper than chance would suggest. Boersma grew up in a household where electronic music was a constant presence—her parents were devoted ravers. “Growing up, both my parents listened to electronic music and used to go to raves. I always wanted to be old enough to join them, and always had been curious about what it’d be like,” she recalls. The pivotal moment arrived during her first rave at Amsterdam’s legendary De School, an experience that crystallized her ambitions. “The environment was so free, dancing together and hearing this music for the first time really made a huge impact on me. I knew I wanted to be there more, one way or another.”
Her introduction to production was almost accidental. A friend showed her a modular synthesizer, sparking a fascination that would define her path. “I remember looking at it and asking, ‘What is this crazy looking space machine?’ When we turned it on, played around with the modules and tweaked the knobs and sounds, I realized this is what I really want to do. That same day, we went to the local music store and bought my first synthesizer. From there, it all started.”
That early impulse soon became a serious pursuit. After Amsterdam, Boersma relocated to New York, where she immersed herself in the city’s underground parties, discovered its varied sonic palette, and played her first sets. Six years ago, she settled in Berlin, drawn to its vibrant nightlife and creative atmosphere. “Each place influenced me and my music differently,” she says.
“The people, venues, and environment in each city brought something new, encouraging me to try new things and explore further.”
Her sound evolved alongside these moves, carrying fragments of every city she passed through. When she first began, breakbeat and techno dominated her sets, but over time, her voice grew more distinct, more fluid. “My sound has grown and evolved a lot over time! I always loved blending different genres, textures, and rhythms. When I started, breakbeat and techno really stole my heart, and now I feel like I’m really finding my own voice. The journey is ongoing, and I believe sound keeps evolving and changing over the years, which makes playing and making music so organic and exciting.”
That evolution comes into focus with ‘EB002’, the latest release on her own label, EB-REX. Much like her DJ sets, the record thrives on intensity but carries an unmistakable imaginative flair, drawing from her lifelong fascination with science fiction. “‘EB002’ is all about energy! Each release doesn’t follow a strict concept; it’s more about conveying energy and taking listeners on a journey through the tracks. However, there’s definitely a spacey sci-fi influence in this release. This comes from my love for old sci-fi like ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Ghost In The Shell’. That’s why the A1 is called ‘Flying Saucer’, followed by ‘Mars’, ‘Vision’, and the ambient take on the A1, ‘Floating Saucer’.”
The foundation of EB-REX lies in unadulterated freedom. Launched in 2024, it was designed to give Boersma space to release music without compromise. But, according to Estella, her vision for the label extends beyond personal output: “EB-REX was founded as a platform to express myself freely. I wanted a space where I could release music without boundaries or limitations. We hope to grow the label into a community someday, where we can offer a platform to other artists in the future, collaborate, or even live experiences.”
Her inspirations reach beyond the club. Films, travel, and especially video games have left deep marks on her work. She cites immersive classics like ‘Final Fantasy’ for its “airy textures and dramatic sounds,” and childhood memories of ‘SSX’—a game soundtracked by breakbeat and jungle—that resurface constantly in her productions. “It’s amazing to dive deep into different worlds and find inspiration from there; it keeps things fresh.”
On stage, her approach is as much about exchange as execution. “My music is energetic, that’s the core. Mixing textures, genres, and creating moments of surprise, even for myself. For me, sharing and exchanging energy with the audience is what makes it special. Everyone involved, performers, dancers, promoters, the sound technician, the lights, artist care, contributes to creating a space for unforgettable moments of connection and dance.”
The milestones have come quickly: Glastonbury, Awakenings, 909 Festival, Stone Techno. Her presence on global stages is already significant. Yet, she points to her first release on Dance Trax in 2020 as a singularly meaningful memory. “I had sent out demos to labels before, but had no reply, until DJ Haus reached out, saying he would love to release the music I had sent. I remember bursting into tears and running around the house all day because I couldn’t contain my excitement.”
“Moments like that make you feel seen, not for what you look like, where you live, or anything artificial, but for your art and what you’ve created. Nothing beats that feeling!”
Even as she steps deeper into her career, Boersma maintains perspective on the broader scene. “The scene and the music are always changing, and that’s exciting. It’s all about balance, exploring new directions while keeping love for the old school alive. Since COVID, and in the age of technology and social media, attention spans are shorter, which affects not only the music but also how people move around in clubs and event spaces. More than ever, I focus on the craft and on bringing something more personal to the crowd, so we can exchange energies and be fully in the moment.”
The future holds expansion. Boersma is developing a hybrid set that merges DJing with performance, and envisions a stage experience where sound interacts with visuals and immersive elements. “Right now, I’m working on a hybrid set, and I’m so excited to share more about it soon! In the future, I would like to bring different kinds of performances and immersive experiences to the stage. Creating a live set, and maybe one day combining music with visuals and interactive elements as well. I would love to keep pushing boundaries and challenging myself creatively, and I can’t wait to see where that journey takes me!”
For an artist who has already shifted careers, cities, and disciplines, the throughline in Boersma’s story is transformation. From the catwalk to the club, from modular synths to festival stages, her work is defined not by fixed identity but by energy, curiosity, and constant renewal. EB-REX may grow into a community, her sets may expand into hybrid live shows, but at its heart, her vision is deceptively simple: to create moments of connection that live beyond the dancefloor.
Estella Boersma’s ‘EB002’ is out now via EB-REX. Purchase your copy here.
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