Berlin Mixtapes 077 - TERANA

Markus Saarländer
Jul 30
7 min read

Some artists make music to move people. Others make music to make people think. TERANA is on a mission to do both.

Created by Paris-based producer, vocalist and songwriter Julia Strouk, TERANA is far more than an artist alias. Inspired by the Latin word terra (Earth), the project is built around a simple but powerful philosophy: using music to create connection, unity and moments of genuine human emotion on the dancefloor.

After spending seven years in Los Angeles before returning to Europe, Julia has developed a sound that blends deep house grooves with hypnotic melodies, atmospheric vocals and organic textures. Her debut releases on Steve Bug's Berlin-based Sublease Music have quickly established her as one of the more exciting emerging artists to keep an eye on, while her passion for sound, wellbeing and the emotional impact of music gives her productions a depth that goes far beyond the club.

For Berlin Mixtapes Episode 077, TERANA delivers a beautifully crafted journey that flows from deep, rolling grooves into uplifting progressive moments before gently finding its way home again. It's a mix that perfectly reflects the philosophy behind the project: immersive, emotional and built around connection.

We caught up with Julia to talk about the story behind TERANA, her journey from Los Angeles back to Europe, releasing on Sublease Music, performing with live vocals, and the deeper purpose that continues to shape both her music and her vision.

Hi Julia, great to speak with you. How are you and what have you been up to this week? Hi! Thank you so much for having me. It's great to speak with you too. I’m doing well, I have been working on new music lately.

TERANA isn't just an artist name, it's an entire concept and mission. At what point did you realise you wanted to create a persona rather than simply release music under your own name?

Music has always been incredibly important in my life. It's brought me a lot of peace during challenging times, and it's honestly been healing for me. I started producing electronic music when I was around 12 years old, and looking back, I realised there was already a pattern. I was recording my own vocals with messages about appreciating the beauty of the world, believing in the kindness of humans, and focusing on what we have. Those tracks already combined dreamy, atmospheric elements with house and electronica grooves. But it wasn't until a few years ago that I seriously returned to music and came up with the concept of TERANA.

The name is inspired by the Latin word 'terra', meaning 'Earth'. I describe TERANA as a creature from another dimension who comes to Earth with the mission of spreading love through music by creating a sense of connection and unity.

It's interesting because I realise that mission has been there ever since I was a child. More than anything, I want to make and share music for this greater purpose, and make people feel the way music makes me feel.

You spent seven years in Los Angeles before returning to Europe. How has living on both continents influenced the way you write and experience electronic music?

The electronic music scene in Los Angeles and the artists I met while living there definitely influenced my musical style. It was a time when I deeply reconnected with music and explored a range of sounds, from indie dance and melodic techno to organic, deep, and progressive house. It allowed me to learn more about composition and the key elements that define each sub-genre, and I naturally held on to what I connected with the most, such as driving rhythms, hypnotic harmonies, atmospheric vocals, which have become part of my own sound.

Since returning to Europe, I've found myself surrounded by more minimal tech, and deep house influences, which has taught me more about restraint, groove, creating tension, and allowing space within a track.

Today, I think my productions and DJ sets reflect the influence of both continents. I like to combine the emotional depth and melodic journeys that inspired me in Los Angeles with the deeper, more stripped-back grooves that I found across Europe.

Artists like Jan Blomqvist, Adriatique and Bora Uzer are known for creating emotional journeys rather than simply dance tracks. What elements of their music resonated with you the most?

I grew up singing and playing the piano, so I naturally connected with artists like them because vocals and instrumentation play such an important role in their music. I remember being completely in awe watching Bora Uzer perform live with his guitar and mic during a show in LA. It was phenomenal, and hopefully something I'd love to achieve with my own music one day.

Steve Bug's Berlin label Sublease Music has become home to your debut release. How did that relationship come about, and what did it mean to have your first release backed by such an established label?

It’s honestly an honour to have had my first release on Steve Bug’s label. Steve is known for his exceptional production quality, expertise, and refined musical taste, so it means a lot to me that he believes in my music.

We actually met during a music production retreat in Ibiza in the summer of 2024, where he got to know both me and my creative process. He heard my music, saw how I produce behind the scenes, and later decided to release my debut track, Connection, on Sublease.

More recently, my latest release, Play Around, also came out on the label. Steve told me he liked the vocals and was inspired to create his own driving remix of the track, which was really cool.

He's a really great person to work with and I'm grateful for the relationship.

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Your own vocals are a huge part of your productions. When you're writing a track, do the lyrics and melodies arrive first, or does the instrumental create the emotion that inspires the vocal?

I usually create an instrumental atmosphere first, with an initial groove, some pads, and melodic elements, which then inspires me to write the story behind the track and come up with the lyrics.

There have been times, though, when I have a lyric or vocal idea in mind and end up developing the whole track around it. It really depends on inspiration and what comes first in the moment.

Where was your first gig and how did it go?

My first official gig was at a restaurant and cocktail bar in Paris that was hosting its first electronic music night. I played a four-hour deep and progressive house set. It was really special because it was the first time the venue had organised an event like this, so I got to be involved in helping bring the concept to life. The night ended up being a real success - the place was packed and people really connected with the music. It was a nice way to begin my journey as a DJ.

If someone walked into one of your sets having never heard TERANA before, what feeling would you hope they leave with by the end of the night?

TERANA’s mission is to bring a sense of unity through music. With my sets I hope to make people feel energised and connected by balancing driving grooves with immersive harmonies - I think if I manage to make someone feel naturally euphoric and happy at the end of the night, I’ve done my job.

Looking ahead, what does the next chapter of TERANA look like? More releases, live vocals, collaborations… or are there still a few surprises waiting to emerge?

I’m definitely looking to release more music. I know I will be spending a lot of time in the studio this year, with a few exciting collaborations in the works.

Live vocals are also something I plan to incorporate into my DJ sets - so I’ll be working on that as I produce more music to perform live.

What DJ's or producers are you enjoying right now?

I'm loving the deep, progressive sounds of Dilby and Gorge at the moment - they've both been making their way into my sets lately.

What are some of your go-to labels?

Poker Flat Recordings, Sublease Music, 8Bit Records and Anjunadeep, All Day I Dream for the more organic, melodic vibes.

You’ve just compiled Berlin Mixtapes Episode 077, what was your mindset going into that mix, and what story were you trying to tell with it?

I wanted the mix to feel like a journey, which is why I called it Deep Drive. It begins with deeper, flowing grooves before gradually moving into more energetic progressive sounds, creating the feeling of a drive that slowly builds momentum. Towards the end, it finds its way back to the deeper atmosphere it begins with, almost like arriving at your destination or back home after the journey.