Before Nala and VNSSA ever started DJing together, they were exchanging oyster photos in a group chat they named, “We’re F***king Eating.”

Although the food photos have since slowed down and dachshund pics now reign supreme, the two continue to share not only a palpable chemistry, but also a companionship that has only grown stronger over the years.

The friendship began thanks to Dirtybird. They met in-person for the first time mid-pandemic, around 2021, at a drive-in rave. VNSSA, whose real name is Vanessa Barnes, arrived early to see Nala, Stefania Aronin, play her set. After crossing paths at the show, the two then started hanging out and DJing together.

“We would complain about the male-dominated music industry to each other, and share experiences with that and connect through that,” Barnes tells EDM.com in an exclusive interview.

VNSSA and Nala of Girl Math.

VNSSA/Nala/Instagram

It wasn’t long before Barnes and Aronin were booked for their first b2b performance together during Miami Music Week with Walker & Royce’s label, Rules Don’t Apply.

“[Walker & Royce] were joking that our duo name would be VaNala Ice,” Barnes recalls with a laugh. “That’s where it started and then we were getting more b2b offers, and we were like, maybe we should just make this a thing.”

As the demand for their b2b sets increased, the duo had to decide on a collaborative nom de plume. They were preparing for their debut performance at Coachella’s beloved Do LaB when the name finally materialized.

“There was a moment where I was like, it should be ‘girl’ something,” Aronin says. “It had that punk edge to it.”

“Our friend Nikki has this joke: four plus four equals ‘ate,'” Barnes adds. “So we were like, ‘Girl Math,’ that should be the name. But it’s more than just that… Having ‘girl’ in the name gives us empowerment and it feels like a feminist movement.”

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Girlhood means “everything,” Aronin and Barnes agreed.

“There’s this implied thing with girlhood that’s like, we’re great at everything and we hold it all down, and sometimes that goes without credit,” Aronin explains. “So girlhood is about getting shit done, even if it means not totally getting recognized for the work that went into it.”

Nala and VNSSA, each of whom are star DJs and producers in their own right, found that girlhood in the music industry was inextricably linked with isolation and disillusionment. The opportunity to collaborate cultivated a sense of unity and comfort, they said, that ultimately aided in their creative process and tightened their bond.

“Touring by yourself, it’s really easy to get burnt out and it’s just boring alone. So it’s a lot more fun having a partner in crime,” Barnes says. “Playing together, you have another person where you can bounce ideas off and instead of just trusting yourself, you have someone else that you can rely on. So it’s just nice to have that kind of support.”

Girl Math have now performed at Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, Splash House and other major music festivals. They’re now gearing up for their first headline showwhich is scheduled for November 1st at the Chocolate Factory Theater in New York City.

snapinstaapp 456423171 18433013164068379 8891467537559362772 n 1080 — *VNSSA and Nala of Girl Math.*

VNSSA/Nala/Instagram

Drawing inspiration from their respective backgrounds in rock music, the pair found common ground in live instrumentation and began to infuse those shared interests into their music with a punk twist. Aronin said she’s great at “coming up with random sound design concepts” while Barnes provides a lot of Girl Math’s “structure, stability and direction.”

“It’s just my anxiety,” Barnes says with a laugh, blushing over the compliment.

While Aronin brings his affinity for Riot grrrl-influenced vocals to the table, Barnes offers drumming skills with a metal focus. It was a match made in heaven.

“I thought being a drummer in a metal band was the coolest thing you could ever do prior to being a DJ,” Aronin gushes. “So I was like, we need to incorporate this history on both sides and turn this into something that’s rowdy and fun and chaotic. That’s where we met in the middle—a rock-focused approach to music. And when I say structure, I really mean drums. She brings the drums on a really solid, structured level.”

“We want to take as much live music inspiration as possible,” Barnes adds. “I think you’ll be able to hear that in our production as well. Because there’s a lot of live drum elements along with synths and Nala’s vocals. It gives it a very gritty, rebellious sound. It’s the mix of us together.”

Through the singular lens of Girl Math, Aronin and Barnes say they ultimately hope to inspire other female producers in the electronic music scene.

“Do whatever the fuck you want and make whatever the fuck you want,” Barnes says with a grin. “Don’t worry what anyone else thinks. Do whatever makes you feel good.”

“Surround yourself with people who are supportive,” Aronin adds, “and fuck everyone else.”