PAMELA LEAL VIÑALS

For more than three decades, Pamela Leal Viñals has been creating spaces where music becomes connection, freedom and community. Born in Chile and raised in Sweden since the age of six, Pamela has built a long and respected career within the LGBTQ+ scene, becoming known not only for her powerful sets but also for the warmth and authenticity she brings wherever she plays.

A beloved and long-time artist of ELLA Festival Mallorca, Pamela has become part of the soul of the festival itself. Year after year, her music accompanies some of the most memorable moments of the week, bringing together women from all over the world through rhythm, emotion and shared energy on the dance floor.

Deeply influenced by her Latin American roots and her experience growing up in Sweden, Pamela sees music as a universal language capable of breaking barriers and creating safe spaces where people can truly be themselves. Beyond entertainment, her work has always carried a strong sense of community, visibility and freedom.

In this interview, Pamela reflects on her journey as a DJ, the evolution of queer spaces over the years, her connection to ELLA Festival and the transformative power that music can have in people’s lives.

If you had to define your relationship with music in one sentence, what would it be?

Music is love that has no boundaries, it can unite us when we least expect it!

You have been in the scene for over 30 years. How has your relationship with music evolved over time?

It is the most stable relationship I have, that relationship is so exciting and appeals to my curiosity; think of so much music that develops over time, it is fascinating what beats, rhythms can do, incredible what a person can create and can reach with their music. It is a joy to observe how music and beats are received through me.

What does it mean to you to DJ for the queer community?

It is one of my main and biggest motivations to support my community through what I do. Even though I live in a country where openness prevails, I don't take it for granted. I travel a lot around Sweden and play at various Prides and sometimes I still see the small town bigotry. There is still hidden homophobia, and in small towns it tends to get stuck, which is why Pride and all kinds of manifestations where the LGBTQ movement is in focus are needed. These are often the gigs I personally get from a political perspective, and I make the most of it because in my role as a DJ I work for our LGBTQ community. Likewise, when questioning why Pride is needed, it is highly relevant to DJ for the community: as long as there are countries where homosexuality means death, is punishable or incarcerated, my DJing is highly relevant, it is my manifestation to be able to play for LGBTQ+ people who cannot participate!

You were born in Chile and grew up in Sweden. How has this cultural mix influenced your identity and your sound?

Musically and creatively, I have a lot of Latin American in my blood, every Chilean family has a guitar and music is central to all gatherings, big and small. I have brought the Latin American rhythms with me into my life as a musician and DJ and it can be heard when I mix!

Do you remember a moment on the dance floor that particularly marked you?

When I had just come out and been dancing at one of the best clubs in Stockholm at the time, “Le Garage”, when electronic music was at its best and the floor was full of both gays, lesbians and straight people. We were all there to listen to and dance to good music by excellent DJs….I was completely fascinated by how the music resonated with us who were dancing, equally fascinated by what the DJ was doing, I looked up at the booth and thought; I want to be there one day! I had to fight hard as one of the few women in Stockholm, and also a lesbian, in the very male-dominated DJ world, but it wasn’t long before I myself was DJing at “Le Garage” and got to live the dream I had on the dance floor there a few years before.

You have been part of ELLA for many years. How would you describe the experience from the DJ booth?

It is one of my favorite experiences as a DJ to be part of the ELLA festival. Precisely because the festival is characterized by much of what I myself have as a philosophy about what strengthens a community. Being together with like-minded people, being able to be yourself together with others, maybe some visitors are not open with their orientation, but during the festival there is a safe space. Seeing that is both touching and strengthening, it makes me really want to give the best of myself to the guests who come to the festival.

What makes ELLA different from other festivals from your perspective as an artist?

A very personal aspect is that even if people drink or maybe use other substances, the ELLA festival is one of the cleanest when it comes to alcohol consumption. Don't get me wrong, I think people should really be allowed to do exactly what they want, I have no moral aspects about what and how people consume, but during my years as a DJ, I have experienced many festivals where alcohol and other substances tend to be the central thing. At the ELLA festival, it is the complete opposite: the ELLA festival is one of the most well-arranged in terms of program content. During a week, you get to experience really fun excursions to spectacular locations, culinary experiences at local restaurants, visit cultural places, listen to speakers from different countries and with different tropics, stay around the sea in fun organized forms that you can participate in whether you want to or not, experience fun parties with themes and oil DJs! The security around the festival is well thought out so you experience a safe space. Something that also makes the festival unique is the opening party where all guests are welcomed as VIPs, the atmosphere is already at its peak...often that's where I feel the atmosphere for the festival is set; that everyone feels so welcome and seen, it contributes a lot to joy and a strong community!

How do you prepare a set for ELLA? Do you follow a plan or do you go with the energy of the moment?

Since I have had the pleasure and privilege of playing at the ELLA festival for a few years, I have learned what goes down well with the guests during my gigs, so I have prepared an ELLA folder that I fill out during the year and call "ELLA-Beats & Sound". But since I continuously recognize music, it goes without saying that I prepare and plan for the ELLA festival. That way, when I am there, I can still follow the energy of the moment! Reading the audience and the atmosphere is one of the most important things in my job and that is also what makes me love what I do!

What role does music play in building community?

Incredible, because I know it can unite us!

After so many years, what still excites you about stepping into the DJ booth?

That I love dancing myself but that I also love seeing the joy in people when I play! It's a kick, the best natural drug there is!

What would you like someone to feel the first time they hear you at ELLA?

Here on the dance floor you get to be yourself, just as you are! Feel free and dance to the music at the same time you are

surrounded by a great loving community from

everyone who dances around you, with you! Enjoy!

If you could speak to your younger self, what would you say?

Everything will be fine.

Looking ahead, what would you like to continue building through your music?

In addition to everything I said in the first question, I would add that my music has no end date as long as I live...

For Pamela Leal Viñals, music has always been much more than entertainment. It is connection, resistance, freedom and community. Through more than 30 years behind the decks, she has helped create dance floors where people can feel safe, seen and celebrated exactly as they are.

At ELLA Festival Mallorca, Pamela’s presence has become part of the heart and energy of the festival itself. Her sets are not only about music, but about creating moments where strangers become community and where joy, identity and freedom can exist together without boundaries.

And perhaps that is exactly what makes her connection with ELLA so special: a shared belief that music, love and community still have the power to bring people together.