If there’s any place you can fully commit to being your true self, it’s the rave scene. DJs and ravers all know this, and the more we embrace it, the better a space it becomes. One artist who clearly embodies this principle and strives for genuine individuality is Gardella. His music, personal style, and internet persona clearly reflect his security and confidence in who he is: EDM’s It Girl.
Moon Lvnding’s Rising Stars series annually highlights EDM’s most promising names and tells readers who to watch for. Within 2026’s dubstep and riddim DJs is Gardella, known for his hits “The Girls Are Making Riddim” and “Trollz.”
Getting To Know Gardella
Seamlessly blending experimental builds with wonky riddim elements and headbanging bass drops, Gardella’s high-energy music is explosive and addictive. Releases with labels Circus, Morflo, and Wakaan exemplify his wide range of sound and extensive genre knowledge.
Gardella’s music stylings are iconic and unique to him, which he found through years of experimentation. Carefully tuning his skill over time, his sound profile became one of its own. According to him, the track that best represents his style would be “Vertigo.”
Producing since the age of 18, music has been at the forefront of Gardella’s life for years. He recalls his dubstep introduction as Skrillex’s “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
“After that, I sold my guitar and bought a DJ controller,” Gardella said. “[I] have been obsessed with electronic music ever since.”
As his journey in EDM production continued, Gardella recognized his effort was paying off. He attributes where he is now to the work he put in back then.
“If things aren’t working, try a different approach. I never gave myself a Plan B so I made myself figure it out,” Gardella said. “My only friends who aren’t experiencing success to a certain degree are the ones who threw in the towel.”
An Icon Across Communities
In addition to the color he brings to the rave scene’s music catalog, he also expands the queer DJ space. Collaborating with other queer DJs and allies, such as Wreckno and Zingara, Gardella perpetuates the unity the rave scene craves.
“I’ve met a lot of like-minded people and cool queer people in the scene which is a blessing!” Gardella said. “I love that I can represent a marginalized community and inspire other people to pursue their dreams.”
Although the positive reception from his audience outshines the negative, being queer in any space will receive backlash. However, Gardella refuses to let the hate affect his craft and sense of self. Regardless of negativity, his security in his identity stands out.
“At the end of the day I’m literally EDM’s IT GIRL,” Gardella said. “If people don’t agree with what I’m saying or my sexuality, they’re not my target demographic and the last thing Ima do is be pressed over a homophobe.”
What’s Next For Gardella
While his career grew exponentially in 2025, Gardella has even bigger plans for the year ahead. With multiple event appearances lined up, he’s bound to land on many ravers’ radars.
“2026 is looking like it’s gonna be my biggest year yet. I have Red Rocks, Forbidden Kingdom, Illfest and a whole lot of other exciting things on the books,” he said.
In addition to performance milestones approaching, Gardella plans to expand his discography this year. A new EP is in the works while he plans on releasing new content monthly – including collaborations with friends. He urges readers to stream his latest track “Break.”
Reflecting upon the previous year, Gardella shared that his proudest moments were making music and performing with friends. He called the experience “god tier” and “goated even,” explaining he wouldn’t trade those memories for anything.
“One that I think of often is when me and Zingara played at the Wild Buffalo in Bellingham, Washington,” Gardella said. “I’ve never even heard of that area and I still don’t exactly know where I was, but the crowd energy that night was incredible. I love playing smaller venues with enthusiastic crowds versus a huge venue where you can barely interact with them.”
Among Gardella’s goals this year includes releasing works on record labels Bassrush and Deadbeats. His longer-term goals include playing Electric Forest and Okeechobee and to reconnect with the magic those festivals once provided him.
Overall, it’s clear Gardella is coming in hot, and he has no intention of slowing down anytime soon. His music is fun to listen to, generates movement, and brings people together – both onstage and in the pit.
His clear, undying love for being himself is evident and shines brightly through his social media and stage presence. If you need a new DJ to follow this year, let it be Gardella – EDM’s It Girl.
