Stella Mozgawa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stella Mozgawa
Mozgawa in 2011
Background information
Born	(1986-02-25) February 25, 1986 (age 39) Sydney, Australia
Genres	Psychedelic rock, indie rock, art rock,
Instruments	Drums, bass, keyboards, vocals, guitar
Years active	2007–present
Associated acts	Warpaint, Kurt Vile, Cate Le Bon, Courtney Barnett

Stella Mozgawa is an Australian drummer and record producer. She is best known as a member of the indie rock band Warpaint. With Warpaint, she has recorded four studio albums.

Besides her work with Warpaint, Stella is one half of the electronic music duo Belief. She also used to be a member of the hard rock group Desert Sessions.

Stella is a very active studio musician. She often works with artists like Kurt Vile and Cate Le Bon. She has also played on albums for many other famous musicians. These include St. Vincent, John Grant, Sharon Van Etten, and Tom Jones.

As a record producer, Stella helped create Courtney Barnett's album Things Take Time, Take Time (2021). She also produced its follow-up soundtrack album, End of the Day (2023). In 2023, she produced the soundtrack for the Apple TV+ show The Buccaneers. This soundtrack featured only female artists.

Stella's Early Life and Music Journey

Growing Up in Sydney

Stella Mozgawa grew up in Sydney, Australia. Her parents were from Poland. They moved to Australia to perform music together as a duo.

When Stella was 13, she started playing the drums. She was first inspired by Zac Hanson, the drummer from the pop band Hanson. Stella said that for many people older than her, Tommy Lee was the inspiration. But for her, it was Zac Hanson.

Starting Her Music Career

At age 14, Stella was very determined. She pretended to be a "20-year-old Polish immigrant with no ID." This allowed her to perform at music venues in Sydney.

From 2000, Stella played in early bands in Sydney. One of her bandmates was Nick Maybury on lead guitar. In early 2006, Stella and Nick formed a band called Mink in New York City. They released their first album in August 2007. The band broke up by 2009.

Stella became friends with Flea, the bass guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Flea suggested she move to Los Angeles. This is where she eventually met the members of Warpaint. She even lived at Flea's house for a while. Flea played a big part in her meeting the Warpaint girls.

Joining the Band Warpaint

Mozgawa (left) performing with Warpaint

In Los Angeles, Stella met Theresa Wayman, the vocalist and guitarist for Warpaint, in late 2009. Soon after, Stella was asked to join the band. She took the place of their previous drummer, Shannyn Sossamon.

Stella helped record the band's first album, The Fool (2010). In 2014, Warpaint released their second album, Warpaint. Stella was fully involved in writing the songs for this album. Their next album, Heads Up, came out in 2016.

Stella's Other Music Projects

Remixes and Soundtracks

Stella has also created remixes for several artists. These include Daughter, Shura, and Depeche Mode.

She produced the soundtrack for the TV series The Buccaneers (2023 TV series). This soundtrack featured only female artists.

Albums with Warpaint

• The Fool (2010)
• Warpaint (2014)
• Heads Up (2016)
• Radiate Like This (2022)

Albums with Belief

• Belief (2022)

Albums with Kurt Vile

• Wakin on a Pretty Daze (2013)
• B'lieve I'm Goin Down... (2015)
• Lotta Sea Lice (2017) (with Courtney Barnett)
• Bottle It In (2018)
• Watch My Moves (2022)

Session Work (Playing on Other Artists' Albums)

Stella has played drums or other instruments on many albums for different artists. Here are a few examples:

• Helen Burns (2012) – Flea
• Spirit in the Room (2012) – Tom Jones
• Howlin' (2013) – Jagwar Ma
• Crab Day (2016) – Cate Le Bon
• I See You (2017) – The xx
• Remind Me Tomorrow (2019) – Sharon Van Etten
• Things Take Time, Take Time (2021) – Courtney Barnett
• Pompeii (2022) – Cate Le Bon
• End of the Day (2023) – Courtney Barnett
• All Born Screaming (2024) - St. Vincent

Awards and Nominations

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards are a yearly awards show in Australia. They celebrate great music and achievements in all types of Australian music. They started in 1987.