InterviewsScene
There’s a certain energy that Marcela Zelenika brings to the decks – subtle yet powerful, deep yet effortlessly fluid. Known simply as MARCELA, she blends deep house, deep tech and minimal house into a seamless groove.
2024 was a breakout year for her – one that recognized her passion and talent with not one, but two major awards: the Elector Award for New (S)elector 2024 and the Ambasador Award for NXT GEN 2024. They were milestones that marked her arrival as a serious new talent on the electronic scene in Croatia, and beyond.
From standout performances at Dobar House with Tom Bug, to sharing the stage with Ana Antonova at Thru The Bushes, and lighting up events like Techno Workout and Violet, Marcela has steadily built a name that resonates far beyond her hometown. As part of the UMC collective, she’s even shared decks with the celebrated German duo Pornbugs – proof that her reach is growing, and fast.
But beyond the recognitions and lineups, what stands out most is her sincerity, drive, and love for what she does. In this interview, we talked with her and learned about how it all started, where it’s going, and how she’s navigating her way through the industry.
Hey Marcela, thanks so much for taking the time to chat! How have you been lately?
MARCELA: Thanks so much for having me! I’ve been pretty good lately. The longer days and warmer weather are definitely helping. Everything feels a bit more chill and positive, which is nice.
Let’s go back to the beginning – how did your journey with music and DJing start? Was there a specific moment or influence that made you think, “This is it”?
MARCELA: I don’t think there was one specific moment where it all clicked, it was more of a gradual thing. My love for music just kept growing over the years, starting from a young age. I started watching other DJs, listening to their sets and at some point I just knew I wanted to be a part of that world, to be the one behind the decks.
And now jumping right back – congratulations! You earned two important recognitions for your work already. Did those moments feel like a validation for the work you have put in, or were they more of a surprise?
MARCELA: Definitely a surprise, but also kind of a nice pat on the back, you know? I didn’t expect any recognition this soon, so getting those awards felt pretty surreal. But it’s also a sign that what I’m doing is resonating with people, which feels amazing.
You’re studying at PMF in Zagreb, which must be quite demanding. How do you balance your academic life with your DJ gigs? Have there been moments when you had to choose between the two?
MARCELA: It can be challenging sometimes, but I’m learning how to organize my time better so I can give my energy to both. Right now, most of my gigs are on the weekends, which really helps, since I’m also working alongside uni during the week. That way, I can focus on my studies and job during the weekdays and save the weekends for music. But in the beginning, a lot of my gigs were during the week, so I did have to sacrifice one or the other at times.
Looking ahead, do you see yourself going full-time into music after graduation, or would you prefer to keep both worlds going in parallel?
MARCELA: Honestly, I’m still figuring out what I want to do after graduation. There are a lot of different fields I’d love to explore and try out to see what fits best with me and my lifestyle. But music will definitely always be a part of my life. It’s something I genuinely can’t imagine living without. Whether it turns into a full-time thing or stays alongside something else, we’ll see where life takes me.
You are part of the Underground Music Connection (UMC) collective. What has being in that community meant for you? Do you think being part of a collective helps younger DJs break into and understand the scene?
MARCELA: Being part of UMC has helped me a lot as a DJ. It really gave me a better understanding of how the scene works. Everything behind the scenes like event organization, artist coordination and how much planning actually goes into it. It also definitely opened some doors for me. You meet other people in the scene, gain experience, and honestly, that means a lot when you’re just starting out. So yeah, I think being part of a community like that really helps young DJs find their footing and grow.
As someone newer to the scene, what’s one challenge you didn’t expect, and how did you deal with it?
MARCELA: One challenge I didn’t expect was how important networking and standing out in the scene really are. There are so many DJs out there, so it can be tough to find your unique place. At first, it felt a bit intimidating meeting so many people and trying to figure out how to stand out. But over time, I realized it’s all about being genuine, showing up and letting things happen naturally. It takes time to get comfortable and find your way, but that’s part of the journey.
When you’re not behind the decks, what’s in your headphones? Any artists or tracks you’ve been vibing with currently that you’d recommend to us?
MARCELA: Lately, I’ve been really into labels like La Zic, Berg Audio, Bondage Music and Cymatic Records. They’re putting out some amazing stuff, definitely worth checking out. Aside from electronic music, I also enjoy listening to artists like Sade, Enigma, Tash Sultana, and Enya.
In past interviews, you have mentioned loving the vibe of smaller, more intimate events. But are there any larger festivals or venues you dream of playing at one day?
MARCELA: Definitely! Playing at a festival is a big dream of mine. I really love open-air gigs, there’s just something special about the energy and the connection with the crowd. Some of the festivals I’d love to play at one day are Sunwave, UNUM, Sunnyside and Butik Festival.
As far as I know you haven’t stepped into production yet, but is it something you’re curious about in the future?
MARCELA: Yes, for sure! I’m currently working on slowly getting into it. It’s something I’ve been wanting to explore for a while and I’m excited to start learning and experimenting with production soon.
Before we wrap up, is there anything exciting going on – new gigs, collaborations, or just some of your thoughts you would like to share with the audience?
MARCELA: I’ve got a few gigs coming up that I’m really excited about. I’ll be playing in Trieste, Italy for the first time at Groovebox Radio’s Beat Boutique event. I also have two gigs in Slovenia, one at Lake Velenje and another at the Diskölökali Festival in Škofja Loka. I’m really grateful for these opportunities and can’t wait to play there! Also, we as a UMC collective, are organizing a two-day event called ‘Pulsar‘ on Pag Island at Zrće Beach on August 29-30. We are super excited about it. Definitely check it out!
Big thanks to Marcela for taking the time to chat with us and for sharing her story. It’s always inspiring to hear from someone who’s navigating their path with so much heart, curiosity, and love for what they do. With everything she’s already achieved – and the energy she brings to it all – we can’t wait to see what’s next.
