SYALA: From Venezuela to Miami, Blending Cultures and Carving Her Sound
SYALA
SYALA is a Venezuelan-born, Florida-based DJ and rising producer who found her calling behind the decks while in college. What started as a spontaneous moment at a house party turned into a passion, with early gigs quickly leading to club sets across Florida, including opening slots for Matroda, Cloonee, and Westend. Her background in both Tallahassee’s nightlife and the broader Florida scene helped her sharpen a high-impact sound and a deep connection with the crowd.
Now based in Miami, SYALA is tapping into the city’s creative energy and refining her own sonic identity — a fusion of Afro house, Latin-infused grooves, and minimal tech. She’s currently focused on expanding her production catalog with the mentorship of an established producer and continues to bring rhythmic, dancefloor-driven sets to top venues and festivals. Her Groove Palace mix is a snapshot of that evolution — expressive, diverse, and filled with intention.
Born and raised in Venezuela, Arianna Garcia—known behind the decks as SYALA —was once a self-proclaimed “diehard for Latin music.” It wasn’t until she moved to Miami at 16, then later attended FSU, that she began drifting from her cultural comfort zone and discovering a new language: electronic music.
From Latin Roots to Rave Culture
“Going to EDC in 2021 completely changed my perspective on what house music is and the culture around it,” she recalls. The transformation was more than musical—it was personal. In Tallahassee, Syala found herself in a town where Afro house was practically unknown and bass reigned supreme. So she did what she does best: adapted.
Falling in Love With the Decks
A chance encounter at a house party introduced her to DJing. “It was the first time I ever saw a mixer in front of me,” she says. Two months of laptop practice turned into a full-blown obsession. “I would skip class just to practice. I was obsessed.” Three months later, she landed her first gig—opening for Camelphat at Celine in Orlando.
From Tallahassee Nights to Miami Mornings
Her college years were filled with gigs—some exhilarating, others repetitive. “I was DJing Monday to Monday. It became a full-time job.” But playing for the crowd instead of for herself took a toll. “I felt like I was DJing for everybody but me,” she admits. It wasn’t until she returned to Miami in 2024 that things started to click.
“Miami is so cultured. People know how to respect the DJ. They’re open-minded.” It was in that setting that SYALA reconnected with her artistry, diving deeper into the sounds that truly moved her.
A Sound Without Borders
Ask SYALA what her “sound” is, and she’ll hesitate—not out of uncertainty, but out of freedom. “It depends on where you find me. Sometimes I play Afro house. Other times I’m in that Miami-style tech house—Latin-infused, underground, percussive.” Her sets can shift from elegant and emotional to raw and rolling, depending on the night and the crowd.
“I have multiple personalities when I DJ,” she laughs. “And I don’t want to pick one.”
From DJ to Producer: The Mentorship That Changed Everything
Like many DJs turned producers, the early days of Ableton were frustrating. “I hated it. I would fight with the computer. I’d have an idea in my head, and by the time I figured out how to get it down, the inspiration was gone.”
That all changed when she met her mentor—a Miami-based producer who taught her the fundamentals and became her best friend. “Having someone to teach you their ways changes everything,” she says. Now, she’s producing both Afro and tech house and prefers collaboration over solo work. “I’ve finished six tracks. I’m just super picky about which to release.”
Major Milestones & What’s Next
From a standout set at Jolene to her first-ever festival performance at We Belong Here, SYALA is steadily checking off her dream venues. Up next? A September block party in Brooklyn with Oscar G and Mark Knight, plus an opening slot for Max Dean back in Tallahassee.
Her advice to up-and-comers? “Talent is only 30% of the game. This is a numbers game. It’s about how marketable you are, how much money you bring in, how you brand yourself.” She says it not with bitterness, but clarity.
“I just hope people know—this is hard. But if you’re obsessed, it’s worth every second.”