DIG DEEPER
insight into hello sailor recordings, a new RDV mix, and more...
Every project I’ve started came from an urge, or perhaps a mission, to create magic and joy, and share it with others. I don’t always know where these ideas originate, but when they do appear in my mind, they feel real. They want to exist.
I constantly dream and fantasize about new things I can create, and sometimes they come to life - like Hello Sailor Recordings, the imprint I launched in 2014. I had no idea what I was doing. Honestly, I still don’t. I had no training, no roadmap. And the record world felt intimidating, especially as a woman stepping into a space so dominated by men. Even just walking into a record store meant expecting stares. But I didn’t care. I couldn’t let that stop me.
I wanted to explore. I wanted to try. And that excitement was stronger than any fear. I’m grateful I didn’t walk away, that I didn’t let myself be the scared one. Because here we are, 11 years later, and Hello Sailor has gained international recognition and released many sought-after vinyl releases.
I have always run every aspect of the label from my home studio, the place where I design, curate, create, sleep, and raise my son. It’s a beautiful, chaotic mess: records, clay, baseball bats, half-formed ideas everywhere. But you learn to work with what you have, especially in New York, where being an artist is already a challenge.
I realize much of this started when my son was a toddler, around five years old. All I wanted was to feel a greater sense of belonging, to make him proud, and to connect him to where I came from. The label was born from the desire to play Brazilian music for my baby, to keep my roots alive in a city so far away from home. A record on the turntable was the quickest ticket back to Brazil - no boarding pass needed, just a familiar groove and some record digging.
ANYWHERE ON EARTH, my latest project, grew from that same spirit of transforming clay into magical objects that carry sound and joy, which, by the way, I have a new record weight available on the site, for those interested; and I think it makes for such a unique holiday gift for the audio aficionados :)
Anyway, people say we get more afraid of starting new things as we grow older, and I feel that sometimes. But that fearless younger version of me will always be my reminder. My biggest inspiration.
Anytime I doubt myself, I think of her. I know I can do hard things.
I just have to dig deeper to find that strength again.
My work as a music curator and DJ entails a daily digging into my deepest self, but also into crates, Discogs, Soundcloud, Spotify, and Bandcamp. We are all walking archival pieces of memory and sound.
For the latest mix series for Natural Selections, I found spooky/earthy/trance-y elements in tracks from friend producers, and a vibe I unintentionally felt compelled to let out. I hope you enjoy! In addition, I’m excited to join the Natural Selections party in Brooklyn at Dead Letter N 9 with Justin Strauss, Juan Maclean, and the NS crew. Tickets are available on RA (Free entry before 10pm with RSVP)
Another bomb release from Stella & The Longos is scheduled to be released on Spotify shortly - join the countdown! They made a couple of songs available in advance for your listening pleasure:
Hope it wasn’t too self-indulgent to talk about my feelings regarding my artwork lol if some folks can identify with my journey that makes me happy, that I could help on some level to navigate this crazy life, don’t hesitate to drop a line!
much love,
Renata